Horses trained in eight different countries clash on a bumper nine-race card at Meydan Racecourse on Friday, headed by the Lord North Handicap and Al Wasl Stakes.
The featured AED350,000 Lord North Handicap [sponsored by DP World], named after the three-time Dubai Turf winner, has a field of 12 for the 1800metre turf trip.
As a Group 2 winner, Flight Plan (pictured) deserves top billing here; Karl Burke’s five-year-old having won the G2 Dullingham Park Stakes at Leopardstown in 2023. He makes his Dubai debut off the back of a fifth to stablemate Holloway Boy at Kempton in December.
“Flight Plan looks great, I’m really happy with his condition since he arrived in Dubai,” said Burke. “He looks really well, has worked really well, got a good draw [1] and we’re looking forward to seeing him run.
“He’s run over nine furlongs [1800metres] before when he finished third in the [2023] G3 Strensall at York, so the trip holds no fears although he’s just as effective at a mile.”
Flight Plan’s 11 rivals include a fellow British raider in Fort George, who makes his Meydan debut for trainer Ed Walker and jockey Kieran Shoemark, who will sport the silks of owner Fitri Hay.
“Fort George worked well with Kieran [Shoemark] on him,” reported Walker, who celebrated his first Dubai win last week with Northern Champion. “We’re very happy with him as he didn’t blow and his recovery has made a step forward from last week. His weight is good, and he looks great.”
Also in the field is last time out winner Native American, one of two in the line-up for owners Wathnan Racing who also run Jeff Koons, while Charlie Appleby sends out Mothecome, a narrow third to Native American a month ago. Saeed bin Suroor runs Britannia Stakes winner Arabian Story, making his first start since July.
Godolphin Mob-handed in Al Wasl Stakes
The Al Wasl Stakes [sponsored by DP World], race five, looks a fascinating contest with 11 just-turned three-year-olds thundering down the Meydan straight turf track.
Godolphin run three, with Appleby’s G2 Mill Reef Stakes winner Words Of Truth looking the pick of them. William Buick rides the colt, with Richie Mullen on Maximised and Oisin Orr on Sword Maker for bin Suroor.
“Words Of Truth proved a solid campaigner last season and has wintered well so far,” said Appleby. “He looks the one they all have to beat on the form book, and we are confident that conditions here will suit.
“Maximized showed a decent level of form heading into the first part of the summer but lost his way slightly afterwards. He has been gelded and his preparation going into this has been faultless. If he can get back to his early two-year-old form, he will be a big player.”
Bin Suroor said: “Sword Maker improved throughout last season and has been working well out in Dubai. He is ready to get going and this looks the right race for him.”
Swedish trainer Oscar Berneklint enjoyed family success at Meydan a few years ago when his mother Susanne won with I Kirk and Plata O Plomo. He’s now back with his own license and saddles two here, Nocutsnobuts and Supreme Shine, the only filly in the race.
“Both of them look really well and have adapted well to the climate,” said the trainer, whose wife Rebecca Stålhandske rides Supreme Shine. “We think Friday will be a bit too sharp, especially going over the straight track for the first time. Both are going to need the run but hopefully they will get good experience out of the race.
