The Aga Khan's Vazirabad (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}) has materialized into a perennial star of the Dubai World Cup card, winning the last two runnings of the G2 Dubai Gold Cup, and the 6-year-old gelding takes his first step toward a hat trick in that Mar. 31 target in Thursday's G3 Nad Al Sheba trophy at Meydan.
Vazirabad won the Gold Cup first-up over Big Orange (GB) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) two years ago, and was last year second to Beautiful Romance (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) in this race before turning the tables on her on World Cup night. The ultra-consistent Vazirabad has finished worst than second just twice in 19 starts, and after winning the G1 Prix du Cadran on Sept. 30 he comes here off a second in the G1 Prix Royal-Oak on Oct. 22. Vazirabad is joined by Alain de Royer-Dupre stablemate Canndera (Fr) (Dalakhani {Ire}), winner of the Listed Prix Scaramouche on Oct. 4.
British-based trainer Charlie Fellowes recorded his first Meydan win two weeks back with Prince of Arran (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}) in a 3200 metre handicap, and the 5-year-old reopposes here. Charlie Appleby saddles Rare Rhythm (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who makes his local debut off a win in the Duke of Edinburgh S. at Royal Ascot on June 23 and the Listed John Smith's Silver Cup S. at York on July 15. The 6-year-old could be an interesting proposition, having gone undefeated since being gelded.
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