The second meeting of Meydan's 2022 Dubai World Carnival is an impressive one by any standard—boasting two group 2s, one group 3, and $810,000 in prize money over seven races—but its main event Jan. 21 is arguably saved for last in an $80,000 rated conditions affair over 1 1/4 miles. That race features the past two winners of the UAE Derby Sponsored by Emirates NBD (G2), Godolphin's Rebel's Romance and Russian Racing Syndicate's Plus Que Parfait.
Charlie Appleby-trained Rebel's Romance, a dominant 5 1/2-length winner of his heat in March (when last in action), was sent to New York in May with stablemates Althiqa, Summer Romance, and Desert Peace, but his connections' Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1) hopes were blighted by a hock infection. He enters Friday's race with a 4-for-5 record and is squarely the horse to beat on his previous form.
"(The infection) went the wrong way on us, so the decision was made not to run," Appleby explained. "He shipped back to the UK, had the summer off, and has physically done quite well for it. We're working back from a Saudi Cup (G1) or a Dubai World Cup (G1) start. He got to Dubai early in November and preparation has gone well."
He added that he anticipates Rebel's Romance will improve from Friday's race.
Desert Peace, a $1.3 million 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale purchase by Curlin , also lines up, having finished a head second in the Belmont Stakes Day turf allowance optional claiming nightcap before returning to Dubai and winning Jan. 1 over this course and distance.
Plus Que Parfait, winless since his upset victory in the 2019 UAE Derby for then-trainer Brendan Walsh, made his first start for Doug Watson last month in the listed Entisar Presented By Umm Al Quwain Sponsored By Joint Aviation Command over this trip but backed up badly after racing midfield.
"He's a war horse, but had a bad quarter crack after the race in the front of the hoof, which I'm sure stung him," Watson said. "It has grown out a good bit and he's had some good breezes since. He doesn't do much wrong. He doesn't bleed, his air is good, and I'm hopeful that he runs a big race. I know he hasn't won in 16 starts, but he's healthy and we're confident."
The main competition otherwise in the full field of 16 appears to come from South American group 1 winners Ajuste Fiscal and Saltarin Dubai, as well as the progressive pair of Remorse and Gentile Bellini.
Strong Hand for Appleby
In addition to returning the mercurial Albahr to action in the $60,000 UAE Two Thousand Guineas Trial, Appleby holds strong hands in both the Al Fahidi Fort (G2) and Al Rashidiya (G2), over seven and nine furlongs on turf and worth $180,000, respectively. In the former, a race he has dominated in past years, his pair is led by Naval Crown, fourth in last year's Qipco Two Thousand Guineas (G1). In the Al Rashidiya, his trio is topped by Art du Val, who was last seen when fourth in the Jebel Hatta Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) astern Lord Glitters, who reopposes here.
KIECKHEFER: Albahr Back in Action After BC Juvenile Turf Mishap
"Naval Crown will come forward for the run and he takes some good, solid European form into the race and I'm looking forward to him getting back on the track," Appleby said. "Art du Val has some good Dubai form and had a nice summer break. Our mindset is very much for him to be a Carnival horse. He'll be a big player if he turns up with his A-game."
Meanwhile, Dubai Golden Shaheen Sponsored by Gulf News (G1) third Canvassed resurfaces to top the $150,000 Dubawi Stakes (G3) over the same six furlongs. Trained by Doug Watson for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, his competition includes former Bob Baffert pupil Freedom Fighter, now in the care of current UAE leading trainer Bhupat Seemar.
"Canvassed is the best he's been for us," Watson said. "He's gotten a lot thicker and stronger and I never really worry about him. He'll put himself in a decent position and he had a really nice piece of work over at Meydan the other day."
First post on Friday is 6:00 p.m. local time, 9:00 a.m. ET. All seven races can be streamed live through the free Emirates Racing Authority app.
O'Neill Trainees in Good Order
In other news, on Tuesday evening eight Doug O'Neill trainees arrived at Meydan's Dubai World Cup quarantine, topped by grade 1 winner Hot Rod Charlie. All going well, the octet is expected to make its first appearance on the Meydan track the morning of Jan. 21.
