The second Dubai Racing Carnival on Friday has drawn some top-tier racehorses.

Walk Of Stars is set to make his return to the Dubai World Cup night spotlight on Friday, headlining the Listed Dubai Creek Mile, the main event of the second Dubai Racing Carnival meeting. Having finished second in the G2 Godolphin Mile, the first Thoroughbred race of the Dubai World Cup fixture, in March, the Bhupat Seemar-trained five-year-old is aiming for his maiden victory at Meydan Racecourse, where he has placed in three of his five starts. Champion Jockey Tadhg O’Shea will be in the saddle, with a full schedule of rides.

"It's his first run, and our horses always improve with each race," said Champion Trainer Seemar. "The two winners we've had both had a run and then won second time, but Walk Of Stars is in good form and has been training well."

Walk Of Stars will face tough competition, including dual course winner Al Tariq, who will race over a mile for just the third time in his career and for the first time in the UAE. Fellow Doug Watson trainee Atif will also make his Dubai debut after winning both his starts in Argentina.

"Al Tariq stayed seven furlongs up the hill in the Jebel Ali Classic at the end of the season, so we thought we'd give him a shot at a mile," said Watson. "He's still holding some high-class form and he's in good form now. We thought this would be a good place to start, to see if he stays the mile."

The main Thoroughbred supporting race is the Thunder Snow Handicap, named after the dual Dubai World Cup winner and run over 1900metres on dirt. The ten-strong line-up includes Lion’s Mane, a winner at the most recent Carnival meeting, as well as Lahresh, who chased him home. One of the more intriguing runners is Al Nafir, a Dh 600,000 purchase by new owner Vaibhav Shar at the March Racing In Dubai Sale.

Race four, the Zayed & Rashed Conditions Stakes, over a mile, also features some smart contenders, including 2024 Listed Al Bastakiya winner Killer Collect, who carries top weight.

There are two maiden races on the card, offering the potential to unveil a future star. The first is the Como Residences Maiden, over 1200metres, for two-year-old colts, in which seven line up. The final race is the Dubai Island Fillies’ Maiden, over 1400metres, where the well-regarded Ruby Hamilton makes her debut for trainer Doug Watson.

Source link:   https://www.khaleejtimes.com