Racing
Mufasa, Dark Saffron clash on ultra-competitive Carnival card
Group race winners Mufasa and Dark Saffron are among the star turns on Friday’s third Dubai Racing Carnival card at Meydan Racecourse.
The pair clash in a pulsating edition of the Listed Al Garhoud Sprint [sponsored by Al Tayer], race six, for which seven have been declared.
Trained by Ahmad bin Harmash, three-year-old Dark Saffron was the shock winner of the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen in March, before following that up with a facile Conditions race win a month ago. Both races were over the same 1200-metres he and jockey Connor Beasley will run over on Friday.
"He's doing good, he's been training very well," said bin Harmash of Dark Saffron. "The only question mark is carrying the top weight [59.5kg] against older horses, as he is only three-years old.
"But Dark Saffron is Dark Saffron – I think he will run a good race."
Among Dark Saffron's rivals is three-time Grade 3 winner Mufasa, who finished sixth in the G2 Godolphin Mile on his local debut and first start for Bhupat Seemar.
"We're very excited to start him over six furlongs," said Abdulla Muammer, Racing Manager to owner RRR Racing. "He's shown a lot of speed in his work and we feel this is the right spot for him."
Colour Up won this race in 2023 and has performed with credit since, including finishing fifth to Dark Saffron in the Shaheen.
"This race probably deserves to be a Group 2, considering the horses we are running against – it will be really nice to watch," said Sayed Hashish, owner of Colour Up.
"He's seven years old now but, touch wood, he's the strongest we've seen. I think the small field will suit him, but the inside draw [1] probably isn't optimum as he's a horse that stalks usually and doesn't lead.
"He usually runs well fresh, but this is a big race."
Fellowes Returns
The main supporting race is the highly competitive 1400metre Ford Handicap, race five. Gorak is the sole international raider for British trainer Charlie Fellowes, returning to the Carnival for the first time since 2022.
"It's lovely to be back," said the Newmarket-based handler. "I've got no idea whether Gorak will handle the dirt, but he's electric out of the gates, has a very high cruising speed and just keeps on going.
"He's a very similar type to Etjilaab, who did very well at the Carnival [third in 2022 G3 Mahab Al Shimaal] for us a few years ago. If it doesn't work, and he doesn't enjoy it, we can go back to the turf."
Also in the line-up is Destructive, who ran three times at Meydan in 2024 for trainer Michael Bell. Since purchased by Deva Racing, he is now with Bhupat Seemar with Tadhg O'Shea taking the ride.
"Bhupat has been very happy with how Destructive has settled into Zabeel Stables since we bought him in the UK earlier this year," said Ryan Tongue, Director of Deva Racing.
"Friday is a good starting point for him at Meydan, and we're looking forward to seeing what he can do. He's an exciting horse, his work at home has been good and hopefully he can deliver where it matters."
Itsatenfromlen Goes for Full Marks Again
The preceding Ford Mach-E Handicap, race four, over 1600metres, also looks very open, with last out winners Itsatenfromten, Norato and Gray Boss in the field of 13.
Doug Watson trains Itsatenfromlen, a winner at Jebel Ali on his stable debut, who ran at the Carnival last season for Amy Murphy.
"We've kind of waited for this race," said the eight-time UAE Champion Trainer. "I really like the horse. He reminds me a lot of [G3 winner] Midnight Sands and he's hopefully progressive like that.
"I think he'll like the dirt; we worked him over there [at Meydan] last week."
Another trying Meydan's dirt for the first time is British raider Silver Sword, who won over 1600metres on turf during last season's Carnival.
"He works well enough on it and his all-weather form at home is solid, so I can only hope he takes to it," said trainer Dylan Cunha. "It offers so many other opportunities if he does, but if not there's still a good turf programme for him.
"Ray Dawson, who knows him well, is back on. I have a sneaky feeling he will enjoy it, and he has lots of early pace which should suit."
The second of the eight races is a fascinating 1400metre two-year-old Lincoln Maiden in which 13 run, including recent trial 'winner' Lino Padrino, who is owned by Suited & Booted in partnership with My Future Champions Racing.
"We are looking forward to his first race under rules, said Paul Ebbs, Managing Owner of Suited & Booted. "He will learn a lot from the experience in which will bring him on. We feel that he will be a better three-year-old as he's still growing into his large frame."
The race also gives an opportunity for Czech jockey Sabina Mokrosova, who will have her first professional ride at Meydan but is the regular morning rider of sprinting star Ponntos. She partners Miroslav Nieslanik'sLady Garfield, who has finished second twice at Prague.
"She has run four times in the Czech Republic and performed well," said the jockey. "She's now been in Dubai for two weeks preparing to run on the dirt, which I think she will like.
"For me, riding at Meydan Racecourse will be a great experience."
Road Bloc, a winner over course and distance a month ago, tops the weights for race three, the Fort Mustang Handicap over 1200metres.
"We were very happy when he won last time; he is regaining his confidence and Connor [Beasley, jockey] did a great job with him," said Sayed Hashish, who owns Road Bloc in partnership with Hana Refai.
"Connor is riding for his stable so we were lucky that Antonio Fresu is back in town as he won on him the first time he won for us. He's drawn in eight, which will help him with the kickback, so I'm excited about this race."
Hashish also runs Silent Age in the penultimate Lincoln Navigator Handicap, over 2000metres. The four-year-old, trained by Watson, was a creditable fifth on his local debut two weeks ago.
"Silent Age is a horse I had in the UK who had three wins there, including a Class Two," said the owner. "I was convinced that his style of running might suit the dirt, as he's prominent usually and quick out of the gates.
"He's probably the best-bred horse I've ever had, by Dubawi and out of a Frankel mare who is a half sister to Rebel's Romance. He wasn't 100 per cent ready last time but handled the race and the kickback well, so we're excited to see how he gets on."
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