Spanish Mission Follows Sheikhzayedroad Route in Dubai

With the dress rehearsal for the Dubai World Cup meeting approaching next week and regional attention focused on the inaugural Saudi Cup fixture this weekend, the Feb. 27 meeting of the 2020 Dubai World Cup Carnival is highlighted by the Nad Al Sheba Trophy Sponsored by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City-District One (G3).

Since its inception in 2010, the mile-and-six-furlong contest has been dominated by Godolphin, which has saddled eight of its winners.

Only South African Mike de Kock, who is not represented this year, and David Simcock have broken that stranglehold. The latter saddles a fascinating contender in the shape of Spanish Mission, whom he hopes can emulate former stablemate Sheikhzayedroad, winner of the Nad Al Sheba in 2016.

Jamie Spencer takes the ride on the son of Noble Mission  and will appear at Meydan for the first time since Dubai World Cup Night in March 2017.

Spencer rode Spanish Mission to victory in last year's Bahrain Trophy (G3) at Newmarket before the pair landed the valuable Jockey Club Derby Invitational Stakes at Belmont Park in September.

Spencer will be sporting the silks of Team Valor, whose CEO, Barry Irwin, said: "The horse has been in Dubai two weeks and has settled in well.

"Thursday's race will tell us which race to target on Dubai World Cup Night, be it the Sheema Classic (G1) or the Dubai Gold Cup (G2) over two miles. We hope he is a Melbourne Cup (G1) horse long term."

With his father, John, suspended, David Egan takes his Meydan bow aboard the Mick Channon-trained Koeman but will face a strong Godolphin challenge.

Charlie Appleby has saddled the past two winners and this year relies on Secret Advisor and Dubhe, who finished first and third, respectively, over course and distance in the Meydan Cup Sponsored by P & O Marinas last month.

They were separated on that occasion by Dubai Horizon, the choice of Christophe Soumillon, one of three in the race for four-time winner Saeed bin Suroor. 

The dirt feature on the card is the Curlin Stakes Sponsored by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City-District One, a listed handicap over the Dubai World Cup course. Both the race's namesake and California Chrome  won the race en route to victory in Dubai's flagship contest.

Egan again steps in for his father aboard the Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained Ambassadorial, who has yet to prove his stamina over this trip and has to concede weight to his 11 rivals.

Parsimony looks a real threat for trainer Doug O'Neill, as does Denmark's Red Cactus, but both will have to contend with a strong group of locally trained horses who have a strong record in dirt handicaps at Meydan.

Doug Watson saddles three, all previous course-and-distance winners, with Pat Dobbs opting to partner Grand Argentier, certain to be vociferously supported by the EERC syndicate that owns him.

Satish Seemar tops the local trainers' championship and will rely on George Villiers, the fourth runner in the race to have scored over course and distance.

The listed Meydan Classic Sponsored by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City-District One has attracted a field of 14 and looks wide open. Jockey bookings suggest Well of Wisdom and Lost In Time are the main hopes of Appleby and bin Suroor, respectively.