Second Round of Al Maktoum Challenge Series Features on Thursday's EGA Carnival Card
3 February, Dubai, UAE ~ Thursday 4 February 2016 will hold a classy Dubai World Cup Carnival card highlighted by the second round of the Al Maktoum Challenge series. Representing the official preparation route for horses on the Dubai World Cup campaign trail, the three rounds of the Al Maktoum Challenge are split into Thoroughbred and Purebred Arabian divisions.
The Purebred Arabian version of the race worth US $70,000, preps runners for the Dubai Kahayla Classic, and is held over 2,200m and classified as a Group 1. In 2015 it went the way of eventual Kahayla Classic runner, Richlore trained by Salem al Ketbi and ridden by Adrie de Vries. In the frey for Thursday are Versac PY with highest rating of 122, Burning Breeze, Haanoof, Haajeb, RB Smoking Rich, Richlore, and AF Lafeh.
Thursday’s Thoroughbred contest is worth US$250,000 in prize money and will be held over 1900m on the Meydan dirt, a slightly shorter trip than the 2000m of the Dubai World Cup race. The Group 2 contest was won in 2015 by Frankyfourfingers trained by Salem Bin Ghadayer and ridden by Frenchman, Mickael Barzalona.
Full Race Card: