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Flash Fire out to continue hot streak in Al Fahidi Fort

Flash Fire bids to build on a perfect start to 2017 when tackling the seven-furlong G2 Al Fahidi Fort (20.50hrs local time) on turf at Meydan, UAE, on Thursday, January 19, the third Dubai World Cup Carnival racenight.
 
The five-year-old son of Shamardal made an impressive seasonal return for trainer Charlie Appleby in a handicap over the same course and distance on January 5, which saw the opening Carnival card, when he powered clear of his 15 rivals to score by two and a half lengths.
 
He also ran several excellent races in some of the UK’s top seven-furlong heritage handicaps last year, including winning the Victoria Cup at Ascot and finishing a close fifth in the Bunbury Cup on Newmarket’s July Course.
 
Flash Fire, the mount again of William Buick and drawn seven of the eight runners, takes on South African G1 winner Noah From Goa and Listed Singspiel Stakes runner-up Championship.
 
Charlie Appleby commented: “I was very impressed with Flash Fire last time out, when he quickened up well.
 
“He has gone up 5lb for that win and we felt that he deserved to take his chance at Group level.
 
“He was gelded before his last run and he seems to be moving a lot better. He was a lethargic worker beforehand but seems to be enjoying life more now and looks more of an athlete.
 
“Seven furlongs is his ideal trip and this hopefully gives us a nice opportunity to win a G2 race with him.”
 
Three Godolphin fillies try to embellish their Classic credentials in the seven-furlong UAE 1000 Guineas Trial (19.05hrs) on dirt including a daughter of Dubawi, Calare (Charlie Appleby/William Buick, drawn 11), who was a comfortable winner of a Listed race at the Curragh, Ireland, on her latest start in October.
 
Unbeaten Shamardal filly Really Special (Saeed bin Suroor/Christophe Soumillon, drawn 3) also scored at Listed level on her most recent appearances with an impressive display at Newmarket in late October, while Polytrack maiden winner Voice Of Truth (Saeed bin Suroor/Colm O’Donoghue, drawn 14), another Dubawi filly, also run in the 16-strong field.
 
Six-year-old Fog Of War (Saeed bin Suroor/Christophe Soumillon), who was beaten a short-head in a valuable handicap at the Curragh in September, 2015, makes his first appearance since then and dirt debut in the Meydan Sobha Handicap (20.15hrs, 10f, 11 runners).
 
There are three Godolphin runners in the closing District One Mansions Handicap (22.00hrs, 14 runners) over 10 furlongs on turf include Artigiano (Charlie Appleby/William Buick), who is running at the Dubai World Cup Carnival for a fourth consecutive year.
 
The seven-year-old is joined by Carnival debutants Folkswood (Charlie Appleby/Colm O’Donoghue) and Huge Future (Saeed bin Suroor/Adrie De Vries).