Quid Pro Quo Headlines High-Voltage Friday at Meydan’s Dubai Racing Carnival
- Turf Diario
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
The South African mare stands as the one to beat in the Cape Verdi (G2); additionally, the card features the Cocoa Beach Stakes and the Vazirabad Handicap; Francisco Leandro has several mounts, some with strong chances
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special for Turf Diario).—The action in the desert is relentless, and this Friday Meydan Racecourse will be dressed in gala to host a marathon 10-race card. At center stage, the Dubai Racing Carnival presents the Cape Verdi (G2-1600m, turf), where all eyes will be on the South African Quid Pro Quo, a multiple G1 winner in her homeland looking to re-establish herself on the international stage.
The daughter of Lance, who conquered the Allan Robertson Championship (G1) and the Douglas Whyte Stakes (G1) under the tutelage of Barend Botes, now defends the colors of Team Valor and is under the training of Frenchman Jerome Reynier. Following a lukewarm return in the Prix Miss Satamixa (L) at Deauville, the bay mare faces her local debut with renewed expectations.
"She has adapted very well. She moves great on the dirt, but we are anxious to see her back on the grass," commented Reynier. Meanwhile, Barry Irwin, CEO of Team Valor, emphasized the importance of already having a race "under her belt" after her long absence.
It won’t be an easy road. Among her 5 rivals, the presence of Riyabovka (Saxon Warrior), trained by Nicolas Caullery, stands out, along with the Godolphin entries sent by Saeed bin Suroor: Dubai Treasure (Exceed and Excel) and Dubai Beach (Blue Point), the latter a runner-up by just a half-head in her debut on this track last week.
Fillies on the Prowl in the Cocoa Beach
The supporting program reaches a high point in the Cocoa Beach Stakes (400,000 AED - 1600m, dirt), a key date for 3-year-olds on the road to the Guineas. A total of 15 confirmed entries promise a battle without quarter.Labwah (Charlatan), coming off a victory in the Shahama Stakes, looms as the benchmark, although her trainer Salem bin Ghadayer will also present the debutant She’s Essential, a daughter of the phenomenal Essential Quality.
Keep an eye on Pretty And Famous (Known Agenda). The Doug Watson trainee arrives with credentials from Russia and a private workout at Meydan that left clockers speechless. "She worked fantastic on Sunday; she didn't even blow out a candle after the exercise," the American trainer stated.
There, Julio Olascoaga, Antonio Cintra, and Francisco Leandro will have the very speedy Tjareed (Yaupon) as their card, and she could certainly make some noise...
Vazirabad: A Clash of Nations
The card's finale, the Vazirabad Handicap (2410m, turf), will be a true puzzle for bettors with entries from five different countries. Britain's Jane Chapple-Hyam returns to Dubai with Claymore (New Bay), a G1 winner in Hungary who will have Silvestre de Sousa in the irons.
There will also be a Hispanic presence led by Efraín Arguinzones. The Venezuelan professional, based in Spain, will make his debut on the circuit with the veteran Finely Tuned (Gleneagles), ridden by Francisco Leandro. The horse already knows what it’s like to win in multiple venues and appears fully adapted to the luxurious Emirati facilities.
The third race, the Burj Azizi Handicap (1600m, turf), will mark the return of War Socks (Kameko), the Niels Petersen trainee who left a good impression last year in the Jumeirah Guineas (L) and recently performed respectably at Royal Ascot. He will face 13 rivals, including G2 winner Flight Plan (Night of Thunder) and local debutant Hawksbill (Kameko), purchased for 175,000 guineas at Tattersalls.
The starting bell at Meydan will ring around 5:30 PM (local time) with the Azizi Creek Views Handicap, opening an afternoon that promises to be fundamental in defining the protagonists for the great night of the Dubai World Cup. There, Leandro, Cintra, and Olascoaga have a strong chance with Expert Choice (Expert Eye), one of the highest-rated runners.
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