What, no Godolphin Blue in a Group 1 at Maydan, but also with the odds-on Al Maktoum Challenge leader not accepting, his jockey James Doyle has not actually ‘bumped’ Ryan Moore.
Yes, it’s the Round 3 of the Gr1 Al Maktoum Challenge of 2000m, and with the total 12½ length Round 1 and 2 winner Algiers not starting, he’s now $4 with Betr for the Dubai World Cup.
With Ryan Moore not riding at Meydan on Saturday, Algiers regular hoop James Doyle now rides the $3 favourite Bendoog, who Ryan Moore rode for a 6 length second to Algiers in Round 2.
In fact, James Doyle was placed on Bendoog at his two previous starts for Dubai based Bhupat Seemar, and has a 8: 2-2-2 record for Mohammed Khaleel Ahmed, and on 55.5kg will start from 4.
In also being $101 for Dubai World Cup, he’s a 4yo bred by Calmuet Farm, sire by Leading US 3YO sire and BC Classic hero Gun Runner, from Virginia Oaks winner Nellie Cashman, by Mineshaft.
With ‘Sultan Ali’ reserving Algiers for the Dubai World Cup Night, he has 4yo gelding Quality Humour starting from Barrier 9 for Ray Dawson, having earlier been second over 1600m at Meydan.
At $12, he’s won over 1400m at Meydan, and by the Breeders’ Cup Stakes winner Distorted Humour he’s from Gr1 placed stakes winner Candrea, and a former $35,000 RNA September Yearling.
At $5.50 is Salute The Soldier with Adrie de Vries from Gate 10, with trainer Bhupat Seemar having both Law of Peace at $6.50 for Tadhg O’Shea in 10, and Kafoo at $9 with Dane O’Neill in 8.
Again, it’s the South Americans who call Meydan ‘home,’ as P. Cintra Pereira from Brazil has Altetico El Culano at $13 in the hands of Jose de Silva and Ajuste Fiscal with Fernando Jara at $21.
With Godolphin not sighted in the Al Maktoum Challenge, they have four of the 15 runners in the Jebel Hatta of 1800m on turf, including $3.50 co-favourites Master of The Seas and Real World.
Prepared by Charlie Appleby, William Buick will jump Master of The Seas from Barrier 2 having previously won the Zabeel Mile, and at his only start in 2022 won the Earl of Sefton Stakes.
Bred by Godolphin, the 5yo gelding is by the all-conquering Dubawi from the winning French 1000 Guineas placed Danehill mare Firth of Lorne, grandam of Doncaster Mile winner Cascadian.
In still holding a record 9 victories as the Dubai World Cup’s leading training, Saeed bin Suroor again has Real World in the hands of David Tudhope, starting from Gate 10 in the all blue silks.
The winner last season of the Zabeel Mile at Meydan, Real World went onto run second in both Queen Anne Stakes and Lockinge Stakes in his last two starts, prior to an extended 8 month layoff.
Also bred by Godolphin, he’s the close family of the successful Dubai Destination, and sired by Dark Angel his winning Dubawi dam Nafura is half-sister to Cheshire Oaks winner Dubai Fountain.
Paying $6.50 and looking to be four on-end for Godolphin is Valiant Prince in the white cap for James Doyle from Gate 8, with their $26 shot Land of Legends drawing 15 barrier for Pat Cosgrave.
In being truly international, its’ Ireland’s I Am Superman who’s $9, $11 for UAE trained Alfareeq, Hong Kong’s Amir Trophy winner Russian Emperor at $12, and Aegean Finale from Turkey at $19.
Again being a jewel in the Dubai World Cup Carnival, the highly contested Dubai City of Gold is Race 1, run over 2400m on turf for 3YOs and older, with Godolphin having four of the 15 runners.
However, it’s the withdrawal of Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Rebel’s Romance that’s robbed the field, but Godolphin have the $4 favourite in the Queen’s Vase winner Kemari for James Doyle.
At $5 is Hong Kong Century Vase winner Senor Toba for Alberto Sanna and Caspar Fownes, with $6 for Godolphin’s Global Storm and William Buck and $7 for White Wolf with Jim Crowley.
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