Godolphin preparing for a possible fourth victory at the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic 2012
The Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic is open for thoroughbreds which are four-years-old and above, as the race will be run over a distance of 2, 410 metres, and got upgraded to Group 1 in 2002. Before 2010, the race was held annually at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse,
but since then the venue has been changed to Meydan racecourse.
The $5million, Longines sponsored Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic, this year will be raced for a fifteenth time after being first run in 1998. One of the most sought out races on the Carnival’s card attracted two hundred and fifty-four nominations from
fourteen countries, which is reflective of the race’s popularity, and the significance of being a part of one of the hallmark races held at the Carnival.
Last year the race was won by Mahmood Al Zarooni trained Rewilding, who did not only add a race of that stature to his profile rather took it a further step ahead by setting a track record after racing through the distance in two minutes and 29.01
seconds.
The winning records of the owners, trainers and jockeys have been dominated by the domestic participants, for instance the race has been won by the Godolphin Racing thrice, in 1998, 2003 and in 2011, consequently the jockey who has won more than twice
is also Godolphin retained, Frankie Dettori, and the trainer who has remained the most prominent through the years is Saeed bin Suroor, who has won the race twice.
The only trainer to have been bestowed with winning the race twice, Saeed bin Suroor, is up for the challenge again with thirteen entries out of which Cavalryman, Prince Bishop, Campanologist and Holberg are the prospective probables for getting hold
of the title.
Mahmood Al Zarooni, who is adamant to win the title this year, has sent in fourteen entries out of which French Navy, Casamento and Dubai Prince are in the lead.
Besides these domestic entries, the international players who complement the stature of the race include St Nicholas Abbey, Treasure Beach, Await The Dawn along with those who have participated in the race before too like Redwood, Chinchon and Zanzamar.
Placed third in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup, Monterosso will be joining the lineup for trying to enhance the placing or even to end up getting the race against his own name.
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