Morning track work has been heating up at Meydan Racecourse as it prepares for next Thursday’s launch of the Dubai World Cup Carnival. One who catches the eye and could possibly be seen as early as the Singspiel Stakes (G3) on Jan. 3 is German invader Degas, who represents trainer Markus Klug and owner Eckhard Suaren. Won or placed in five Group stakes in 2018, the son of Exceed and Excel was last seen when second in the Premio Vittorio di Capua (G2) at San Siro in Italy, finishing seven lengths to the good of 2018 Carnival winner Oh This Is Us. This year, the emblazoned chestnut has not finished worse than fifth and annexed a pair of Group 3 races for himself, including the Grosser Preis der Wirtschaft (G3) in June at the Singspiel’s 1800m distance. He was subsequently gelded and sold at Tattersall’s July sale for $138,653 to his current owner. Three others to watch who have made favourable impressions are David Barron-trained Above the Rest, winner of Newcastle’s Chipchase Stakes (G3) in June, as well as trainer Bent Olsen’s useful Danish filly Monza and improving Hugo Palmer trainee Never Back Down, a Lingfield handicap winner in November.
QUICK HITS: Al Bastakiya (Listed) winner Yulong Warrior is slated to return later today in the Grade 2 $300,000 San Antonio Stakes at Santa Anita on its traditional opening day. The race is scheduled to go off at 3:25 a.m. (Thursday morning) Dubai time… On the same card, one race later (4:00 a.m.), Phoenix Thoroughbreds and Slam Dunk Racing’s Carnival-expected Axelrod is entered to compete in the featured Malibu Stakes (G1) against the Bob Baffert brigade of McKinzie, Ax Man, Nero, Super Sol and Solomini… Darley Stallions’ Exceed and Excel could have a very strong beginning of the Carnival, as his progeny Hit the Bid, Degas, Heavy Metal and Secret Ambition are all expected to be in action. Yalta, Championship and Folkswood helped carry the banner for the champion sire in 2018, as well… Jockey Richard Mullen currently leads all riders with 16 wins, while there is a three-way, 13-win tie for second between Connor Beasley, Fernando Jara and Tadhg O’Shea. Pat Dobbs sits in fifth with 11 wins, while leading all in earned purses (AED 1,655,750) and strike rate (15.1%).