A field of 12 lines up for Saturday's 1800-metre G1 Jebel Hatta S. at Meydan, the local prep for the course-and-distance $6-million G1 Dubai Turf in three weeks' time, and Decorated Knight (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) looks to go three straight while testing top-level company for the first time. The 5-year-old won the G3 Meld S. at Leopardstown in July and was not seen again until the Feb. 4 Listed Winter Derby Trial S. at Lingfield, which he won by a short head over Arab Spring (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}). Trainer Roger Charlton saddled Cityscape (GB) (Selkirk) to win the Dubai Turf when it was named the Dubai Duty Free in 2012.
“[Decorated Knight] has taken the trip well and settled in straightaway,” said Charlton. “The team with him is very happy and he worked nicely on Wednesday when Andrea was very pleased.”
A handful of also-rans from the Feb. 16 G3 Dubai Millennium S. over 2000 metres return here. Earnshaw (Medaglia d'Oro) finished second that day behind the runaway victor Zarak (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), and the 6-year-old has been on the board in all three tries this campaign, having previously finished third behind the filly Promising Run (Hard Spun) in the G2 Al Rashidiya over this trip on the turf. Promising Run was third in the Dubai Millennium.
Light The Lights (SAf) (Western Winter) started his campaign with a win over Championship (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) in the Listed Singspiel S. on Jan. 5, and was second in the Al Rashidiya before checking in fifth behind Championship when dropped back in trip in the G2 Zabeel Mile on Feb. 16.
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