Godolphin seek big-race clues

Even if the second round of the Al Maktoum Challenge has historically not been the ideal pointer to the Dubai World Cup (Group 1), today's race assumes special significance for some of the protagonists who are bidding to publicise their big race credentials. Only Moon Ballad in 2003 has the distinction of winning this 1900m contest en route to claiming greater glory in the world's richest race but Godolphin, who supply five of the 11 runners today, will be looking for vital clues from the likes of Dubai Prince and Prince Bishop in particular, when the gates fly open at 9.30 pm. Both horses are listed at odds of 20/1 with British bookmakers to give Godolphin a sixth success in the Dubai World Cup and a solid performance on the All-Weather track at Meydan will go a long way to help establish their reputations as genuine contenders. Dubai Prince, the pick of Godolphin's stable jockey Frankie Dettori, is trained by Mahmoud Al Zarouni, who also saddles Biondetti, the mount of exciting French teenager Mickael Barzalona, as he bids for his first success in the race. Dettori's choice Long-time Godolphin handler Saeed Bin Surour, who has won the Al Maktoum Challenge a record seven times since 1994, sends out Prince Bishop (Silvestre de Souza), Mendip (Kieren Fallon) and Pisco Sour (William Buick). It is perhaps interesting to note that Dettori, who has first choice of the Godolphin string, has opted for Dubai Prince, who did not quite live up to expectations last season, injuries notwithstanding. A high-class performer when trained in Ireland by Dermott Weld, the son of Shamardal impressed on his first start for Godolphin at Newbury in September but then put in a disappointing run when he finished last of 12 in the Group 1 Champion Stakes at Ascot in October. However, he is reportedly thriving at Al Zarouni's Marmoom Stables, with the trainer saying: "Obviously this is a tough race but they are nice horses and ones we are very much looking forward to running at the Carnival. They had their problems last year but are in good form now and we will find out a lot about them." Form factor Prince Bishop, has also impressed Bin Sorour no end by winning his prep at Meydan in emphatic fashion last month. Assessing his chances the Emirati handler commented after that race: "He is getting back to his best," "He was a new horse to us last year and he just didn't settle very well. Now he seems more focused and I think that physically he looks better than last year." Biggest threat The biggest danger to the Godolphin quintet looks to be Mike de Kock's Master Of Hounds, who was a runner-up in Al Maktoum Challenge Round I last month behind stable companion Musir. The trainer, who is looking for back-to-back wins in the race after Bold Silvano twelve months ago, said: "We were delighted with that first run as he will have needed it and 1600m is short enough for him. He should run well. We really thought he was our [Dubai] World Cup horse last year but sadly missed the race through injury and we have given him all the time he needed. He is working well and, hopefully, this is the first step towards the 2012 Dubai World Cup." Today's Dubai World Cup Carnival also features the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge for Purebred Arabians, the Group 3 UAE 2000 Guineas and Group 3 Firebreak Stakes. Bin Surour and Al Zarouni appear to have a strong hand in the 1600m contest on the All-Weather with leading contenders Rassam and Kinglet respectively. However, Singapore raider Dark Matter, who won the 1400m trial a month ago and followed up in a 1400m turf handicap against older horses, looms dangerously. The Al Maktoum Challenge for Purebred looks an open contest with the Saif Al Deen Deeb prepared Sahib Du Clos and Albar Lotois, trained by Eric Lemartinel, appearing to have the best chances.                                                                                   From gulfnews