Al Zarooni unveils Meydan plans
Mahmood Al Zarooni has outlined his contenders for major honours as the Dubai World Cup Carnival gets underway on Thursday.
Last Updated: 04/01/12 11:21am
Mahmood Al Zarooni has outlined his contenders for major honours at this year's Dubai World Cup Carnival ahead of the first meeting at Meydan on Thursday.
The Godolphin handler is well represented on both of this week's Meydan cards with Sea Lord and Laajooj contesting the Al Rashidiya Trial Presented by Longines on Thursday and Gamilati lining up in Friday's UAE 1,000 Guineas Trial.
Al Zarooni revealed that Xin Xu Lin is being aimed at round one of the Group Three Maktoum Challenge on January 12, while Casamento, Dubai Prince and French Navy are being considered for the two later rounds of the Maktoum Challenge which are run on February 9 (Group Two) and March 10 (Group One).
The trainer told Godolphin.com: "Xin Xu Lin didn't run a bad race when he was fifth behind Khawlah in the UAE Derby last year. He runs from the front in his races and got a bit tired near the end.
"We will see how he gets on next week before deciding where to go with him, while I have earmarked rounds two and three of the Maktoum Challenge for Casamento, Dubai Prince and French Navy.
"Zip Top is a candidate for the UAE 2,000 Guineas (February 9) and he could have a possible tilt at the UAE Derby (March 31) afterwards.
"We have Monterosso and Blue Bunting out here and they could be aimed at Super Saturday (March 10), when Blue Bunting could have her prep race for the Dubai Sheema Classic (Group One - March 31), while Opinion Poll will be readied for another crack at the Dubai Gold Cup (Group Three - March 31)."