Another Friday at Meydan with an Eye on the Future

As is customary, to avoid overlapping with the Riyadh show in Saudi Arabia, Dubai has organized a transitional program

Meydan awaits another exciting day of racing / DRC

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special for Turf Diario).— The Dubai Racing Carnival returns this Friday with an intense and highly competitive card at Meydan, featuring eight races where there is virtually no room for concessions. Large fields, specialists in top form, and an attractive combination of turf and dirt will shape a meeting that promises spectacle from the very first jump.

The feature race will be the Longines Spirit Flyback Handicap, the fifth on the program, contested over 1,400 meters on the turf with a purse of AED 250,000. Fourteen runners will face off, three of whom arrive on the back of recent victories: Beccali (Lope de Vega), English Oak (Wootton Bassett), and The Fingal Raven (Mehmas).

The latter, trained by Jamie Osborne, will attempt to confirm his progress despite a challenging draw. “He came out of his win two weeks ago very well,” the trainer explained. “He probably needs a lifetime best, but he has the quality to take another step forward. Post 13 could have been more favorable.”

Among the British visitors is also Hawksbill (Kameko), from Richard Spencer’s stable, who comes off a ninth-place finish in the Lord Glitters Handicap, though with excuses. “In his last start, Saffie’s stirrup leather came over the top at the break and it upset him too much. We are dropping back to 1,400 meters and hope to see him more relaxed,” Spencer commented.

The third race, the Longines Primaluna Handicap over 2,000 meters on the turf, features Silver Sword (Charm Spirit), who seeks his third victory of this Carnival for Newmarket-based South African trainer Dylan Cunha. “Silver Sword loves Dubai. This is a good spot for him. He’s in great form, and going back up in trip should help,” he noted.

Also reappearing in that race is Thundering (Night of Thunder), a winner in January 2025 over 2,410 meters, now under the guidance of Spanish champion Guillermo Arizkorreta. “He ran respectably on the dirt; perhaps he needed that race. He’s been dropped three pounds and returns to the turf, where we expect a better performance, although gate 14 doesn't help,” he analyzed.

In the following race, the Longines Spirit Pilot Handicap over 1,600 meters on the dirt, the presence of Lasudood (War Front) and Force And Valour (Mehmas) stands out.

The penultimate event, the Longines Conquest Chronograph Handicap, will gather another 14 sprinters over 1,200 meters on the turf. Spencer will rely on Start Me Up (Mehmas), now fitted with a visor and a tongue-tie, breaking from stall 3. “He has run well from poor draws. This time we have a better position and expect a solid performance in a very open handicap,” he pointed out.

The card will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the Purebred Arabian Longines Conquest Handicap, also featuring a full field of 16 participants, reaffirming the international and competitive nature of a Carnival that continues to offer high-demand scenarios at every turn.

Ultimately, it is a night where every race could become the toughest of the day and where recent form, the draw, and track adaptation will be decisive at a Meydan that concedes no advantages.