Meydan hosts its final Carnival fixture before the Dubai World Cup

With an eight-race card scheduled for this Friday, the team of Antonio Cintra, Julio Olascoaga, and Francisco Leandrowill hold several strong hands, headlined by Nam Phrik

Nam Phrik winning a few weeks ago at Jebel Ali / DRC

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special to Turf Diario).- With a diverse cast representing multiple jurisdictions, Friday’s fixture at Meydan once again underscores the global essence of the Dubai Racing Carnival as it enters its stretch run.

The centerpiece of the card is the Phi Advertising Handicap over 1600 meters on the turf. The fifth race of the evening has attracted a deep field of 15, headlined by a formidable four-pronged attack from Charlie Appleby, who sends out King’s Charter (Kingman), Cavallo Bay (Pinatubo), Indian Springs (Too Darn Hot), and Hallasan(Pinatubo).

Among the Godolphin quartet, King’s Charter carries the most momentum under top weight and the guidance of former local champion jockey Richie Mullen. The son of Kingman was a narrow second in the Lord Glitters Handicap last month, a performance that solidified his consistent form.

“All of Charlie’s horses have live chances,” Mullen noted. “His form is very solid. He improved significantly from his first outing and ran a big race behind Dividend (Kodiac), who has since won again. Now back at the mile, a distance he’s already successful at, he’s a horse with plenty of natural speed.”

Another major player is The Fingal Raven (Mehmas). Conditioned by Jamie Osborne, who is enjoying a banner Carnival with six wins this term, the horse scored over this course and distance two starts back before finishing fifth over 1400 meters. The return to the mile is seen as a key advantage.

The fourth race, also under the Phi Advertising banner, features a full field of 16 over 1900 meters on the dirt. David Menuisier saddles City of Delight (City of Light) as he simultaneously readies Sunway (Galiway) for the Dubai Gold Cup (G2) on Dubai World Cup night.

“City of Delight has been in great form all winter,” Menuisier explained. “He was very unlucky not to win on the turf last time out. His handicap mark rose on the grass, but his dirt rating remained the same, so we want to see if he can capitalize on that.”

Mullen will counter with Estmrar (Global Campaign) for Simon and Ed Crisford, coming off a runner-up effort over 2000 meters. “It was a good performance,” said the jockey. “The horse that beat him, Valdivia (Demarchelier), ran well again last week. He has a real chance, though gate 16 is far from ideal.”

One of the more popular runners on the program is Silver Sword (Charm Spirit), trained by Dylan Cunha, who targets a third Carnival victory in the ARN Handicap over 1800 meters on the turf. Cunha also saddles the sophomore Tailgunner Joe (Knicks Go), a winner at Meydan two starts back before finishing sixth in the Jumeirah 2000 Guineas (L).

Cunha’s strongest chance may come in the finale, the Binghatti Handicap over 1600 meters on the dirt, with Gun Carriage (Gun Runner). The 4-year-old was recently fourth in the Jebel Ali Mile (G3).

“He’s had a good season without finding the winner's circle,” said Cunha. “But this is his best opportunity to date.”

The opposition is led by Nyaar (Munnings), a three-time Meydan winner coming off a second-place finish last week. Also in the lineup is the Brazilian-bred Nam Phrik (Hofburg). Prepared by Julio Olascoaga and Antonio Cintra for Stud Las Monjitas, he will be ridden by Francisco Leandro. Following a solid effort last week at Jebel Ali, the bay is more than capable of delivering an upset.

The evening kicks off with the second leg of the Arabian Triple Crown, where Salim Nour Grine (No Risk Al Maury) looks to build on a successful local debut at Al Ain for trainer Doug Watson.

From the opening bell to the final handicap, Meydan offers another night where international competition takes center stage.