Janoobi (SAf) (Silvano {Ger}), hailing from the Mike de Kock barn, steps up for Sheikh Hamdan's Shadwell in the 1800-metre G1 Jebel Hatta at Meydan on Saturday. Leaving from stall eight in the 11-horse field, the MGSW in South Africa reported home second in the G2 Al Fahidi Fort trying group company in Meydan on Feb. 1. The entire found the 1600 metres of the Feb. 22 G2 Zabeel Mile to his liking, with South African champion Whisky Baron (Aus) (Manhattan Rain {Aus}) fourth, on Feb. 22. Janoobi is joined by fellow Shadwell colourbearer and Listed HH The President Cup winner Eqtiraan (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}), who is under the care of Ali Al Rayhi.
Predictably, Godolphin is well represented with five runners in this trial for the 1800-metre G1 Dubai Turf, and Saeed bin Suroor's G3 Hampton Court S. hero Benbatl (GB) is looking for his third consecutive win here. Off the mark in his 4-year-old bow, the G3 Singspiel S. over course and distance on Jan. 11, the son of Dubawi (Ire) rolled to a 3 3/4 win in the G2 Al Rashidiya in identical conditions on Feb. 1. Second by a half-length in this event in 2017, last out Feb. 22 G3 Dubai Millennium S. winner and G1 Cox Plate third Folkswood (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) will also return in this spot for Charlie Appleby. Leshlaa (Street Cry {Ire}), on top in a Meydan handicap on Feb. 8, was only a nose back of Folkswood in the Dubai Millennium for bin Suroor, who also has the mare Promising Run (Hard Spun), a dual Group 2 winner this Carnival, including the G2 Balanchine on Feb. 17.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
