Dubai World Cup Carnival 2021, Sixth meeting – Results and Quotes

AL MAKTOUM CHALLENGE R3 (GROUP 1)
$65,000 | 2000m (dirt) | PA

Winner: BRRAQ (FR)
Pedigree: Mahabb (AE) – Fattana (FR) by Njewman (FR)
Owner: Yas Racing
Trainer:  J C Pecout
Jockey: Ryan Curatolo
Official Time: 02:13:58 (New track record)
Old Track Record: 02:13:68 –  TALLAAB AL KHALEDIAH – 2018
Margin of Victory: 1 1/2 Lengths

Ryan Curatolo, Jockey, BRRAQ(1st): “It was a fantastic night and this is a very talented horse, even if he is a difficult horse to train as the trainer will tell you. Today we had the perfect tri.  Looking at Brraq’s run in the last two times, I knew he would open up two lanes, and I knew he would maintain the pace, and when I checked the screen the second horse was quite far and we maintained that pace to the finish.”

The trainer has done a very good job of maintaining this horse, and I am very pleased for Jean Claude and glad to be on top of things and get a winner.”

WATCH RACE 1 AL MAKTOUM CHALLENGE R3 (G1) HERE

GETTHAT.COM (HANDICAP)
$65,000 | 1800m (turf) | TB

Winner: BRIGHT MELODY (IRE)
Pedigree: Dubawi (IRE) – Lyric of Light (GB) by Street Cry (IRE)
Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: C Appleby
Jockey: James Doyle
Official Time: 1:49.34
Track Record: 01:45:52 – JUST A WAY – 2014
Margin of Victory: 1 3/4 Lengths

James Doyle, Jockey, BRIGHT MELODY (1st): “I didn’t see a whole lot pf pace on paper, so I was happy for my draw to jump and head in a forward position. He didn’t start really well, so we had a little bit of a task to make up a bit of ground early on. It worked out nicely, I got a nice target, we didn’t go overly fast at all but I was in a position to move out and make an early manoeuvre in the straight, being mindful of us coming back a furlong.”

 “He is quite versatile trip-wise and has a very good attitude and it should stand him in good stead back home.”

WATCH RACE 2: GETTHAT.COM  HERE

MEYDAN CLASSIC (LISTED)
$88,000 | 1600m (turf) | TB

Winner: NAVAL CROWN (GB)
Pedigree: Dubawi (IRE) – Come Alive (GB) by Dansili (GB)
Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: C Appleby
Jockey: Mickael Barzalona
Official Time: 1:36.52
Track Record: 01:34:84 – MAGIC LILY – 2020
Race Record : 01:35:87 – WELL OF WISDOM – 2020
Margin of Victory: 1 3/4 Lengths

Mickael Barzalona, Jockey, NAVAL CROWN, (1s): “The horse was fit today and that’s the reason he won. Today we had a nice rhythm, and I think I was pretty well in front and the horse was confident, and it was better to be in front. I am sure Charlie will be able to drop the horse in trip, and the horse had done well today.”

Charlie Appleby, Trainer, NAVAL CROWN (1st): “Naval Crown – we pitched him in at Group level as a two- year-old, and he was well-placed twice there. We were not planning to run him in the 2000 Guineas, but he was working nicely in the dirt and therefore we felt we would give him a chance, and he ran a very solid race. Returning to turf was always going to favour him. He came into the race race-fit with conditions to suit, and he has gone and done it nicely. Personally I think the horse will come back in trip when we get back to Europe.”

“With Master of Seas – he is fresh and well, and he showed that this evening. William (Buick) said he will come on a bundle for that. At least he learnt something this evening, William got him into a rhythm, he was here to win his race, but he got tired down the straight, but I am happy we got him out. He is very much a work in progress for Europe.”

WATCH RACE 3: MEYDAN CLASSIC HERE

NAD AL SHEBA TROPHY (GROUP 3)
$195,000 | 2810m (turf) | TB

Winner: VOLCANIC SKY (GB)
Pedigree: Street Cry (IRE) – Short Skirt (GB) by Diktat (GB)
Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: S bin Suroor
Jockey: Lanfranco Dettori
Official Time: 2:56.63
Track Record: 02:54:47 – ALMOONQITH – 2015
Race Record: 02:54:47 – ALMOONQITH – 2015
Margin of Victory: Shoulder Length

Frankie Dettori, Jockey, VOLCANIC SKY(1st): “I took the initiative half way around the turn because the leader dropped away and I kicked on and I got first run on the others. He kind of lost concentration in the end, but he has been running well all season and he deserved a big win.”

“He is very honest and wears his heart on his sleeve, and you know he is always going to run in the frame or win like tonight, and they don’t come more consistent than him, so well done to the team.”

Saeed bin Suroor, Jockey, VOLCANIC SKY (1st): “He is a tough horse and he always tries very hard. He is a big strong horse and he always improves after his first race. Frankie was in a nice position all through the race, and at the last two furlongs I felt he had a chance to win. The horse finished his race really well and this opens up the options for him and we might think of taking him to Dubai World Cup day.”

WATCH RACE 4: NAD AL SHEBA TROPHY (G3) HERE

DUBAI MILLENNIUM STAKES (GROUP 3)
$130,000 | 2000m (turf) | TB

Winner: STAR SAFARI (GB)
Pedigree: Sea The Stars (IRE) – Intimhir (IRE) by Muhtathir (GB)
Owner: Godolphin
Trainer: C Appleby
Jockey: William Buick
Official Time: 2:04.01
Track Record: 01:59:80 –  STAR SAFARI – 2020
Race Record: 02:00:33 – GHAIYYATH – 2020
Margin of Victory: 1 1/4 Length

William Buick, Jockey, STAR SAFARI (1st): “He is a pretty lightly raced horse and I really liked what he did tonight. It was a very straightforward win for him and he kept fighting all the way to the line. It might not be the best Group 3 around, but they are pretty well-seasoned horses and it was a good performance.”

“He has had three runs this winter here, so I guess they might have one eye on the carnival next winter.”

WATCH RACE 5: DUBAI MILLENNIUM STAKES (G3) HERE

MEYDAN CHALLENGE (LISTED HANDICAP)
$88,000 | 1400m (turf) | TB

Winner: ZAINHOM (USA)
Pedigree: Street Cry (IRE) – Kaseema (USA) by Storm Cat (USA)
Owner: Sh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Trainer: M Al Mheiri 
Jockey: Dane O’Neill
Official Time: 1:23.71
Track Record: 01:22:32 –  D’BAI  – 2018
Race Record: 01:23:33 – MAJOR PARTNERSHIP – 2020
Margin of Victory: 1 1/4 Length

Dane O’Neill, Jockey, ZAINHOM (1st): “I think the key to tonight was the good even pace, although we were little bit far back, and a little wider than he had normally ridden, he started passing horses easily and that kind of got him in a good mood, and kidded him into moving forward. When I picked him up I was confident even, with a bit of ground to make up.”

WATCH RACE 6: MEYDAN CHALLENGE HERE

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