High hopes for Derbaas at Meydan

The 2012 Dubai Carnival gets under way at Meydan today with the Al Rashidiya Trial Presented By Longines Conditions Stakes taking centre stage.

The nine-furlong turf prize sees Ali Rashid Al Raihe’s prolific course winner Derbaas make his return to action. The six-year-old landed with last year’s Group Two Al Fahidi Fort before finishing last of 16 on his final appearance in the Dubai Duty Free on World Cup night.

His jockey, Richard Hills, said: “He was a revelation last season and improved throughout. I have not sat on him so far this season but the trainer tells me the horse is in very good form and expects a big run. I am sure he will come on for the outing but we have to be hopeful. The bottom one looks the big danger.”

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The horse Hills is referring to is Mike de Kock’s filly Mahbooba. After signing off a successful Carnival last year with a fine third in the UAE Derby, the five-year-old went on to compete in Britain, where she won a Newmarket Listed race by six lengths. De Kock said: “She did well at the Carnival last year (on Tapeta) and then really pleased us over the summer on turf. She has been going well in her work and is ready for a race so this looked the ideal starting point.”

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