Charlie Appleby is banking on a return to a turning point to help Opera Ballo return to victory in the Group Two Al Rashidiya at Meydan.
Eager for the 2000 Guineas after winning his first two starts in impressive fashion, defeat in the Craven Stakes put those ambitions on the back burner.
Wins at Sandown and on the July course followed, but he ended his season in England with a likely defeat at the Rowley Mile and Appleby believes he is better in a corner.
The Godolphin handler also leads the globetrotting Nations Pride, most recently finishing third in the Canadian International and First Conquest, Billy Loughnane’s mount.
Appleby told www.godolphin.com: “We have taken Opera Ballo to the Rowley Mile twice and beaten it both times, so I think we can say this is not his course.
“We were keen to get him back on a turning track and the style of racing at Meydan will hopefully suit. We think he’s a nice colt and hope to get him back to winning ways here.
“Nations Pride knows his way around here and has benefited from a break after his runs in the US and Canada. We also know that First Conquest enjoys racing around Meydan and he goes into this fit and well. I feel we have three strong contenders.”
Jamie Osborne’s Heart Of Honor has his second run of the Carnival in the Listed Entisar Stakes with Group One winners Walk Of Stars and Kabirkhan in opposition.
Saeed bin Suroor’s top hope of the evening is Dubai Treasure, who really impressed when winning a Listed race at Newmarket by three lengths in October.
She will be hoping to take advantage of the absence of George Scott’s West Acre in the Ertijaal Dubai Dash, which was declared a non-runner on Friday morning.
“Dubai Treasure won a Listed race on her last start and has worked well on this. It’s her first run of the winter and I’m looking forward to seeing how she goes,” said Bin Suroor.
Imperial Emperor, a revelation in Dubai last year for Bhupat Seemar, returns in the Group Two Al Maktoum Mile.
Seemar said: “He was given the privilege of running with a handicap last season, even though he was a group horse in the making. He is a bit fuller and is a much fatter horse, so I just hope he is fit enough the first time.”
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