Al Shindagha bid by Comicas

Comicas goes for a second major victory over six furlongs on dirt in the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint on week five of the Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan, UAE, on Thursday, 8 February.

The Charlie Appleby-trained sprinter has thrived over the course and distance over the past two years and stayed on strongly to beat Muarrab by a length and a quarter in the G3 Dubawi Stakes on 18 January. 

He also captured a six-furlong dirt handicap at last year’s Dubai World Cup Carnival before finishing a fine second over the same trip in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on Dubai World Cup Night. 

Comicas (William Buick) takes on six others in the Al Shindagha Sprint headed by Muarrab, Reynaldothewizard and My Catch, who all finished behind the Godolphin runner in the Dubawi Stakes. 

Charlie Appleby commented: “I was delighted with the performance of Comicas in the Dubawi Stakes and he came out of that race well.

“We are taking on the same horses again, but we have to carry a penalty for his win last time. 

“We are very happy with him and he should be bang there again.”

Elsewhere on Thursday’s card, Charlie Appleby sends out two three-year-old fillies in the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas including Expressiy (William Buick), who was third to Winter Lightning in the trial for the Classic over seven furlongs on 18 January.

She is joined in the mile contest by Flora Sandes (James Doyle), who makes her first start on dirt following two Polytrack appearances at Chelmsford City, UK, including when making all to prevail in a mile novice race in November. 

Charlie Appleby added: “Expressiy has a bit to find on the two fillies that beat her in the trial for this race, but the step up to a mile will suit. 

”Flora Sandes is bred to go on dirt and shows the right attributes hopefully to run well on the surface.

G2 Vintage Stakes second Zaman (William Buick) makes his seasonal return in the seven-furlong Meydan Classic Trial on turf, with Blair House (William Buick) and Banksea (James Doyle) both lining up in the 10-furlong turf handicap.