Meydan test for Gamilati
Godolphin's Cherry Hinton winner Gamilati is the star turn at Meydan on Friday as she lines up in the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial.
Last Updated: 05/01/12 10:44am
Godolphin's Cherry Hinton winner Gamilati is the star turn at Meydan on Friday as she lines up in the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial.
Trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni, the filly won the Group 2 at Newmarket last season but disappointed on her final outing in the Lowther Stakes at York.
Frankie Dettori will be in the saddle but she is giving upwards of 3lb to each of her five rivals.
"She has been working well since she arrived in Dubai and is enjoying the weather," said Al Zarooni.
"She did not run as well on her final start in England as we had hoped she would, but she has had a nice break and we are looking forward to running her again.
"It will be her first try on the all-weather but we do not think that will be a problem."
Her main rival would appear to be Alsindi who won her first two starts for Clive Brittain last summer, including the Oh So Sharp Stakes.
She was another to disappoint when last seen in the Rockfel and has joined Ali Al Raihe subsequently.
Royston Ffrench takes the ride and he said: "She has settled in well and seems to handle the the all-weather in the mornings.
"Obviously Gamilati was very useful in England and a serious rival but we should run well."
Stan Moore's Mary Fildes also runs.
Sharaayeen, sent off favourite for the Old Newton Cup when with Charlie Hills, is another to have joined Al Raihe, last year's champion trainer, for the Carnival.
Richard Hills knows him well and rode him at Jebel Ali last week and expects a big run in the Longines Master Moon Phases.
He said: "I was very pleased with that run and expect him to run a big race."
Hills won the Meydan Masters jockeys' competition in 2010 but neither he nor last year's winner Calvin Borel take part this time.
The likes of Maxime Guyon, William Buick, Tom Queally, Dettori, Ryan Moore and Mickael Barzalona are among the 12 taking part in the competition.