Switzerland Leads Sprint; Filly Classic on Tap at Meydan

[Wandering Eyes]

Steve Asmussen saddles his second runner at this year’s carnival with US MGSW Switzerland (Speightstown) in the $250,000 G3 Al Shindagha Sprint at Meydan on Thursday. The Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi colourbearer was last seen running third in an allowance at the Fair Grounds in November over six furlongs, and both of his graded victories have come at that trip.

“It’s a good spot for him,” Asmussen said. “I hope he handles the circumstances of the race and runs well. I’m very pleased with how he shipped over there and Carlos [Rosas, assistant and exercise rider] thought he worked great over the racetrack.”

2018 Al Shindagha winner My Catch (Ire) (Camacho {GB}) is aiming for consecutive wins, and he last finished third in the Jan. 3 G3 Dubawi S. over this trip behind one behind stablemate Drafted (Field Commission) for trainer Doug Watson. Argentinean MGSW Tato Key (Arg) (Key Deputy) makes his first appearance at Meydan in the Al Shindagha.

Also on Thursday is the $250,000 Listed UAE 1000 Guineas over a mile. Favoured is owner/trainer Ismail Mohammed’s Al Hayette (Union Rags), who is the lone dual winner in the full field of 15. Winless in three starts in England over turf and all-weather, the filly got off the mark second out at Meydan by four lengths testing the 1600-metre distance for the first time on Dec. 20. She defeated several of Thursday’s rivals in a 1400-metre 1000 Guineas Trial score over this strip on Jan. 3, but she must overcome the widest gate.

“She’s improving every race,” Mohammed said. “I wasn’t worried about the short break between [her last race and previous effort], because the plan was always that race, then the Trial and then the Guineas before the Oaks. We gave her some freshening since and she has had four weeks to this race.”

Godolphin sends out a quartet to oppose, with the honour of the blue cap going to Saeed bin Suroor’s Dubai Beauty (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). A debut winner at Newmarket in August, the bay looks to get back on track after an unplaced run behind Al Hayette in the 1000 Guineas Trial. Charlie Appleby’s Divine Image (Scat Daddy) is making her first start since a novice win at Chelmsford on Dec. 13.

Fifteen horses also contest the 1400-metre Meydan Classic Trial. G3 Prix Eclipse victor Sporting Chance (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) breaks from gate two for trainer Simon Crisford. He was 12th in a 1400-metre Meydan conditions affair on Jan. 10. Crisford also sends out Lady O’Reilly’s three-for-four Trolius (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}), who was third in the same race. Joining him is the once-raced Jan. 11 Jebel Ali winner Golden Jaguar (Animal Kingdom) making his turf debut, representing the Phoenix Ladies Syndicate and trainer Ahmad bin Harmash, the same connections as undefeated G3 2000 Guineas hope Walking Thunder (Violence).

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