Dual South African Group 1 winner Quid Pro Quo is among the leading lights at Meydan’s bumper 10-race Dubai Racing Carnival meeting on Friday.
The four-year-old filly makes her local debut in the G2 Cape Verdi [sponsored by Azizi Developments], race seven, over 1600metres on turf. Winner of the G1 Allan Robertson Championship and G1 Douglas Whyte Stakes for trainer Barend Botes, the four-year-old filly is now in the care of owners Team Valor and France-based trainer Jerome Reynier. She warmed up for this assignment by finishing tenth in the Listed Prix Miss Satamixa at Deauville on 13 December.
“Quid Pro Quo has adapted very well to her new environment,” reported Reynier. “She’s moving really well on the dirt but we are looking forward to seeing her back on turf.
“Obviously it will be a very different set up to her reappearance the other day on Polytrack, when she went right-handed against a big field. We’re hopeful we will see her full potential on Friday. Fingers crossed she will run well and aim for the Balanchine next time out.”
Barry Irwin, CEO of Team Valor, added: “We are very much looking forward to her in the Cape Verdi, with a return to the grass and having a race under her girth after a lengthy absence.”
Quid Pro Quo’s five rivals include three-time winner Riyabovka for trainer Nicolas Caullery, who has been in the UAE since November but makes her Meydan debut this weekend.
“She’s quite happy in Dubai but she still has her ugly [winter] coat,” said Marine Henry, wife and assistant to trainer Nicolas Caullery. “I think she might need the run, but there’s just six runners and if she can get fourth or third we’ll be really happy.”
Norwegian trainer Silja Storen has her first Meydan runner in Capitana Bling, winner of a Listed race at Bro Park, Sweden, in September.
“She has settled in well,” said the ex-jockey. “She needed some time after the travel, as we had very bad conditions at home the last weeks before traveling, so she’s excused if she needs the race.
“She’s an easy filly to train, she doesn’t need too much, and she is very honest so she will give us what she can.”
Saeed bin Suroor, who has won this race five times, runs Dubai Treasure and Dubai Beach. Dubai Treasure finished eighth in the Listed Dubai Dash in December, while Dubai Beach was beaten a head by Molaqab over 1400metres on her course debut last week.
“Dubai Treasure came out of her last run well,” said the trainer. “This will be her first try at a mile and I am hoping that she can relax into a nice rhythm, which will give her the best chance of staying the trip.
“Dubai Beach finished a close second last time out and is a mare who is improving with time. We will give her a chance at this level and I am looking for another good run.”
