English/Ire
Opera Ballo to make Meydan debut on ‘Festive Friday’
A competitive cast features on Meydan’s ‘Festive Friday’ card, including Godolphin’s Nations Pride and Opera Ballo.
The turf feature, the 1800m Group 2 Al Rashadiya, provides an early indicator for potential Dubai Turf candidates and Godolphin will field three runners – Opera Ballo, Nations Pride and First Conquest.
William Buick will take the ride on Opera Ballo for the colt's first run in Dubai, having won twice in Listed company at Newmarket (July) and Sandown.
Appleby said: "We have taken Opera Ballo to the Rowley Mile [Newmarket] twice and been beaten on both occasions, so I think we can say it's not his course. We were keen to get him back on a turning track and the style of racing at Meydan will hopefully suit. We feel he is a nice colt and we are hoping to get him back to winning ways here."
Nations Pride (James Doyle) is a four-time Group/Grade 1 winner internationally and has only recently from a third in the Grade 1 Canadian International Stakes. First Conquest, to be ridden by Billy Loughnane, has already taken two victories in Meydan, including the Group 3 Dubai Millenium Stakes.
"Nations Pride knows his way round here and has benefitted from a break following his runs in the US and Canada," he added.
"We also know First Conquest enjoys racing around Meydan and he goes into this fit and well. I feel we have three strong contenders."
Elsewhere on the card, France's King Gold will take on previous Group 1 winners Kabirkhan and Walk Of Stars in the Al Maktoum Mile (Gr.2), the feature dirt race on the card.
King Gold produced a career-best performance when winning the Firebreak Stakes (Gr.3) on 'Fashion Friday' at Meydan in January, beating Laurel River by a short head. He has since won the Prix de la Porte Maillot (Gr.3) at Longchamp in June and returns to Dubai for the first time since April.
"That horse is just amazing, with the final 200metres he ran in the Godolphin Mile," said Marine Henry, wife and assistant to King Gold's trainer Nicolas Caullery.
"We think he is still in the same form – he is certainly happy to be back in Dubai!"
Kabirkhan, who won the Al Maktoum Challenge in 2024, will be having his first start for Bhupat Seemar.
"Kabirkhan was healthy when he came from Doug's," said Seemar. "So far, I can't fault him. For a huge horse, and for a horse who doesn't have the perfect conformation, my gosh he can stride on that dirt track.
"He's another one working back from the Dubai World Cup."
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