Charlie Appleby defends his fiefdom in the Dubai Millennium against a global threat
- Turf Diario
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
By the Book and Arabian Light are the trainer's cards this Friday in another great day at Meydan
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special for Turf Diario).— This Friday's card at the Dubai Carnival has a name of its own: the Dubai Millennium Stakes (G3). Scheduled over 2,000 meters on the turf, it has historically been the playground of Charlie Appleby, who boasts a crushing record of 9 victories in this race. However, five trainers are landing here with the firm intention of ending that hegemony.
Appleby will field two high-profile cards: By The Book (Frankel), with William Buick in the irons, and Arabian Light (Kingman), coming off a victory in the Zabeel Turf. “Both are making their group-level debut, but they know the track and are in great shape,” warned the trainer. But the big news is the Emirates debut of Crystal Black (Teofilo), the notable 7-year-old for Irishman Gerard Keane who comes from shining at Royal Ascot and Leopardstown, and looms as the major hurdle for the boys in blue.
Another highlight of the meeting will be the Dubai Sprint (L) over 1,200 meters. The Golden Shaheen (G1) winner, Dark Saffron (Flameaway), returns to the grass after a bumpy stint on the dirt. His trainer, Ahmad bin Harmash, has decided to remove the blinkers: “We want him to run relaxed behind the leaders so he can regain confidence and finish strongly.”
Facing him will be Symbol Of Honour (Havana Grey), a consistent Appleby trainee returning from a layoff, and Rebel’s Gamble (Dark Angel), now under the tutelage of Swede Oscar Berneklint, who will feature in a family duel against his father, Fredrik Reuterskiold, tasked with saddling the experienced Lamborghini BF (Holy Roman Emperor).
The Mawj Stakes presents a cosmopolitan look with the presence of Gelinotte. The daughter of Nando Parrado, trained by Efraín Arguinzones, arrives with high expectations after her triumphs in Madrid. "Janácek told me he felt a lot of power under her during workouts; this is the prep for the Jumeirah 1000 Guineas," the trainer confessed. Among her 14 rivals, Miss Yechance (Cotai Glory) stands out—the "little big warrior" of the Antonio Cintra and Julio Olascoagateam, looking to confirm if her speed can withstand the 1,400 meters.
In the dirt races, Britain's Karl Burke seeks to repeat success with Antrim (Dubawi) in the JAFZA Handicap, with an eye on the Maktoum Classic. Likewise, Force And Valour (Mehmas), under the care of George Scott, will try to maintain his upward streak in the mile after two brave performances that have made him a fan favorite.
