The Dubai World Cup Carnival continues to crescendo with a little more than six weeks to racing's richest day, and Thursday's program is highlighted by the G3 Dubai Millennium S. for middle-distance turfers.
Haafaguinea (GB) (Haafhd {GB}) could be the slight favorite in what figures to be a wide-open affair, assuming he doesn't regress off a half-length victory in a 12-furlongs handicap Jan. 21 first-up for nearly 11 months. The chestnut, who will be ridden by Freddy Tylicki was a two-time winner at the Carnival in 2015, including a 3/4-length success over the distance last February before going missing.
“We were very pleased with his winning return,” said trainer Saeed bin Suroor. “He is a horse who always tries his best and we thought he merited a step up in grade, so this looked a good opportunity. Obviously he will be facing stronger opposition, but he really likes Meydan and we are hoping for a good run.”
Earnshaw (Medaglia d'Oro), third in last year's G2 Zabeel Mile, was saddled with the 14 hole for a course-and-distance handicap on opening night of the Carnival Jan. 7 and led for most of the opening mile of that first-up appearance before fading away to finish ninth while not persevered with once hopelessly beaten. Though facing decidedly tougher last time in the G2 Al Rashidiya S. over 1800 meters, he settled in midfield and came with a late run to be a non-threatening third behind the hard-knocking Forries Waltz (SAf) (Greys Inn) and G1 Cape Derby hero Ertijaal (Aus) (Hard Spun). There is nothing of the quality of those horses in this test and a repeat of his last would make him a factor.
Tryster (Ire) (Shamardal), a perfect six-from-six over English all-weather tracks, nevertheless makes his 2016 debut in this grassy affair, with reports that he has not trained well over the Meydan dirt surface. Winner of last year's G3 Winter Derby at Lingfield, the bay was no better than fifth behind Western Hymn (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}) in the G3 Brigadier Gerard S. at Sandown last May. He atoned for that effort with a half-length defeat of Let's Go (Street Cry {Ire}) in a valuable conditions race at Chelmsford City Sept. 26 and makes his first start since for trainer Charlie Appleby and regular rider William Buick.
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