NAS Trophy headlines 8-race card Meydan meet

The ninth meeting of the 2020 Dubai World Cup (DWC) Carnival at Meydan on Thursday evening is a bumper eight-race card sponsored by pillar partner Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City — District One and highlighted by the $300,000 Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy, $100,000 Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 for the Purebred Arabians and a pair of Listed races.

Leading the ratings is Team Valor’s David Simcock-trained Spanish Mission, who has impressed in his morning exercises since arriving two weeks ago.

A smart winner of the $1 million Jockey Club Derby at Belmont Park in September, he has been aimed toward Dubai since and appears a promising type for 2400-3200m, which is why his connections hope a good performance will springboard him into either the Group 1 $6 million Longines Dubai Sheema Classic over 2410m or Group 2 $1.5 million Dubai Gold Cup sponsored by Al Tayer Motors over 3200m on Dubai World Cup night.

Godolphin look particularly well represented in the 2810m Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy and are responsible for five of the nine runners in the turf feature.

For Charlie Appleby, who has won the two most recent renewals of this race, Secret Advisor landed the Listed Meydan Cup, a handicap over this 2810m turf course and distance in a thrilling finish from stable companion Dubhe, who was third. The pair divided by the same owner’s Dubai Horizon, saddled by Saeed bin Suroor. All three are back in action with Bin Suroor, the most successful trainer in the history of a race inaugurated in 2010 with four winners, also saddling Gifts Of Gold and Dubai Future. The latter won a 2410m handicap earlier this DWC Carnival.

“Dubai Horizon ran very well in the Meydan Trophy, but not so well on his second start, so we are hoping the step back up in trip is in his favour,” Bin Suroor said.

“We are looking forward to running Gifts of Gold over this longer trip as it should suit him. After winning well, Dubai Future was then a bit disappointing.”

Of his pair, Appleby said: “Secret Advisor had been off a while before the Meydan Trophy, so we were delighted with his win. He must have a big chance, while Dubhe will appreciate a good gallop, as he is just a dour stayer.”

Massif Central represents Ireland for Mick Halford with Mick Channon-trained Koeman representing Great Britain and local debutant Charles Kingsley, now in the care of Salem bin Ghadayer, appearing well within a chance.

The last named arrives with four British wins for Mark Johnston and Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum and has had ample time to acclimatise.

The $175,000 Curlin Stakes (Listed Handicap) over the same 2000m on dirt as the Dubai World Cup looks particularly open among its dozen runners.  The weights are headed by Ambassadorial, trained in Britain by the Jane Chepple-Hyam, who also owns the 6-year-old globetrotter.