Older dirt horses and the 3-year-old set take centre stage at Meydan Thursday evening for the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 (1900m) and the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas. And there look to be standout individuals in both races.
With defending Al Maktoum Challenge winner Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) awating Super Saturday, the race very much goes through the tough North America (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who missed by a neck to the Godolphin runner last year.
The powerful bay turned the tables on the future GI Breeders' Cup Classic third in Round 3 of the Challenge, but he missed the kick in the World Cup and did little thereafter, finishing 10th. North America returned with a vengeance in his latest, romping by nine lengths in Round 1 (1600m) of the Maktoum Challenge Jan. 10.
“We think he has improved since that last run, with which we were obviously delighted,” said Bhupat Seemar, assistant trainer. “A lower draw (gate 5), would have been preferred, but it is only a small field and we could not be happier with him.”
Cosmo Charlie (Stay Thirsty) enters this first 2019 in what appears to be career-best form, having handed New Trails (Medaglia d'Oro) a 7 1/4-length beating in the Listed Entisar S. over 2000m of this track Dec. 20.
Phoenix Ladies Syndicate's US Triple Crown nominee Walking Thunder (Violence) has won his three career trips to post by a combined 19 lengths and should prove tough to solve in the Guineas.
“Everything we have asked of him, he has done with ease and we basically do not know how good he might be,” trainer Ahmad bi Harmash commented. “He has never been tested at home or in a race. Thursday's race has been his first main target throughout.”
The $42,000 OBS April Breezer, nine-length winner of a Jan. 10 conditions heat over Thursday's trip, should get his stiffest challenge from fellow US-Bred Moshaher (Goldencents), who could scarcely have been more impressive breaking his maiden in his only trip to the races to date, scoring by 6 1/4 lengths going eight panels Jan. 5.
“Walking Thunder looks the one to beat, but our fellow has had a great preparation and is a really smart horse,” trainer Doug Watson said. “We are very much looking forward to it.”
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