Move Up takes another step forward in Maktoum Challenge

Progressive four-year-old colt Move Up races on dirt for the first time on his G1 debut in the Al Maktoum Challenge R3 Sponsored By Emirates Airline (18.55hrs) at Meydan, UAE, on Super Saturday, March 4.
 
The son of Dubawi is after a hat-trick of Pattern wins for Saeed bin Suroor following two turf victories over a mile and a half, including a game neck verdict over Arab Spring in the G3 Cumberland Lodge Stakes at Ascot, UK, on October 1.
 
Adrie De Vries comes in for the ride on Move Up, who takes on seven rivals including last year’s winner Special Fighter and G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 scorer Furia Cruzada in the 10-furlong contest.
 
Saeed bin Suroor commented: “This will be Move Up’s first start on dirt but he has been doing well in training.
 
“He won a G3 race over a mile and a half on his latest start but we wanted to give him a chance over a mile and a quarter on the dirt to see how he gets on.
 
“He has improved physically and is ready to go.”
 
Saeed bin Suroor also saddles Alabaster (Oisin Murphy) on the dirt in the 13-runner G3 Burj Nahaar Sponsored By Emirates Holidays (17.45hrs) over a mile.
 
The five-year-old son of Medaglia d’Oro has run well on the surface on his three appearances so far at this year’s Dubai World Cup Carnival, including a neck success in a 10-furlong handicap on February 9 and a third over the same distance in the Listed Curlin Handicap on February 23.
 
Saeed bin Suroor added: “Alabaster has been trying hard in his races this year, winning once and finishing third last time. This will be another tough task but he is in good form.”