Leading ladies go for more Meydan glory

Very Special and Promising Run bid to continue a fine start to the year in two of the turf highlights at this week’s Dubai World Cup Carnival fixture at Meydan, UAE, on Thursday, February 16. 

Five-year-old Very Special is seeking to follow up her mile Cape Verdi victory with success in the nine-furlong Balanchine (19.05 hrs local time) for a second time, having completed the G2 double in 2016 with a pair of impressive victories. 

The Lope De Vega mare quickened strongly for a comfortable half-length success under Jim Crowley, who takes the ride again, in this year’s Cape Verdi on January 26, a race in which all six of her Balanchine rivals also lined up. Very Special comes out of stall five.

Promising Run also scored by a half-length at the January 26 meeting, when bravely taking the nine-furlong G2 Al Rashidiya Stakes, and the four-year-old takes on male opposition again in the G3 Dubai Millennium Stakes (22.00hrs) over a mile and a quarter.

The Hard Spun filly, ridden by Oisin Murphy for the first time, faces nine others headed by last year’s G1 Prix du Jockey Club runner-up Zarak and German G1 winner Elliptique. Promising Run is drawn on the outside in stall 10.

Saeed bin Suroor, who trains both horses, commented: “Very Special won really well in the Cape Verdi and came out that race in good order. 

“She looks stronger compared to last year and her condition is much better. 

“She did a very nice piece of work over the weekend and is ready to go again. I am hoping to see her win again.

“Promising Run won nicely in the Al Rashidiya and she also looks a stronger filly this year. 

“This trip will suit her and she has been working well recently.”

Saeed bin Suroor is also represented on Thursday by American Hope (Adrie de Vries - drawn four), who lines up alongside the Charlie Appleby-trained Footbridge (William Buick - drawn 10) in the 10-runner InsideOut handicap (21.25hrs) over a mile on dirt.