Meydan preview: Well-travelled Heart of Honor back in action

After an eventful season in which he was beaten just a nose in the G2 UAE Derby, finished fifth in the G1 Preakness and sixth in the G1 Belmont, Heart of Honor is back at Meydan Racecourse - the scene of his two wins.

Now a gelding, Jamie Osborne’s three-year-old takes a significant drop in grade in Friday’s Palm Jebel Ali Conditions race, the finale on the seven race Dubai Racing Carnival card.

“This looks like a good spot to start him back, but he will tighten up for the run,” said Osborne, whose daughter Saffie returns from injury to take the ride. “His main targets come later, so there will be plenty of improvement after this run. But hopefully he’s fit enough to be the one they all have to beat.”

Heart Of Honor’s seven rivals include Listed Al Bastakiya winner Galactic Star, last seen finishing ninth in the UAE Derby, and his Bhupat Seemar stablemate Gray Boss, an impressive winner from a wide draw on his debut two weeks ago.

The card’s official feature is the Listed Dubai Creek Mile (sponsored by Nakheel), race five, in which 2024 winner Meshtri will attempt to make history and become the first horse to win it twice.

Michael Costa’s gelding scaled great heights after his win 12 months ago, going on to beat the re-opposing Qareeb in the G2 Al Maktoum Mile.

"Meshtri is back to his best,” said the trainer, who is currently leading the UAE Championship. “This is a nice starting point for him to kick off from and hopefully he will continue to improve."

One of the elder statesmen in the field is seven-year-old Desert Wisdom, longtime flagbearer for the Ahmed Al Shemaili team, whose career high came when he was second to Bathrat Leon in the 2022 G2 Godolphin Mile. Ray Dawson will be onboard the chestnut, who finished sixth in this race last season.

“Desert Wisdom obviously lost his form a little bit last year but the year before he was very good around Meydan”, said the jockey. “He’s had a bit of time off and will have to bounce back to his previous form, but a little bit of a break might have done him good.”

The penultimate Como Residences Handicap, over 1400metres, has an open look to it, but Dawson is positive about the chances of Smart System, who won twice over the course last season for trainer Ali Al Badwawi.

“I really like this horse,” said the jockey. “I thought he had a really good run last time out over a mile, which was probably just a bit too far for him. He needed the run that day as well, but until about 300metres out he was the winner.

“Back in trip, having had a run and with a low weight – albeit in a better race – he could be one of my best chances.”

The same race features the return of Go Chrome Go, an eight-time winner, including at G2 level, in South America before arriving in Dubai.

“He’s back after a long period without racing,” said trainer Julio Olascoaga. "But his issues seem to be a thing of the past. He had a good trial and we are pleased to see him competing again.”

The Thoroughbred action begins with two fascinating maidens, eight fillies lining up in the Bay Grove Residences, race two, over 1400metres.

Trainer Ahmad Bin Harmash may well hold the key to this with three runners; Dialed To Dubai, She’s Good and Yuno. Stable jockey Connor Beasley rides Yuno, with Dawson picking up the mount on Dialed To Dubai, a $75,000 Ocala Spring purchase.

“It’s her first time out but she trialed nicely enough,” said the jockey. “We’re not drawn badly [5] but it’s her first day in school so I’m sure she’ll learn plenty.”

Another expected to improve is Osborne’s Tago Mago, a Bolt D’Oro filly owned, like Heart of Honor, by Jim and Claire Bryce.

“She ran with promise on her first start [third at Southwell] and hopefully will come forward for that,” said the trainer. “She breezed well on dirt so we hope she’ll be competitive and improve for the experience.”

Julio Olascoaga saddles Sky Racing’s Yaupon filly Tjareed, who finished third in a trial against the colts last week.

“She comes out of a good trial,” he said. “She has shown good ability in the mornings, so she will be competitive.”

11 go in the juvenile colts’ race, the 1600metre Palm Beach Towers maiden, including two for Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby. Devon Island, second on debut at Kempton in September, will be ridden by James Doyle, with Richie Mullen onboard National History, also second at Kempton last time out and fifth there the time before.

Osborne also runs two, with the Bryces’ first cap carried by Decalogue, the mount of Adrie de Vries, while Saffie Osborne rides Brotherly Love, a half-brother to Heart Of Honor.

“Saffie has chosen to ride Brotherly Love, but I wouldn’t be sure she’s on the right one on this occasion,” said Osborne senior. “Being by Zoustar, there has to be a question mark about the dirt, and he will be green as he’s a big unit. Hopefully he will take a lot from the run if he gets himself organised.

“Decalogue was very green and a bit heavy for his first run in the UK and he’s improved significantly for that. I think he’s guaranteed to go on dirt and will be competitive.”

The card’s curtain-raiser and only Group race is the G2 Bani Yas (sponsored by Nakheel), for Purebred Arabians,in which 13 run. Dual G1 winner Mubeed sets the standard and will be ridden by Dawson, onboard for both those successes.

“Mubeed needs no introduction and we’re drawn nicely,” he said of the Jaber Bittar trainee. “Seven furlongs (1400m) is obviously going to be a little bit short for him, but he won over six at Sharjah last year before a couple of Maktoum Challenges. If he’s fit and ready for the run, hopefully he’ll be too good for them.”

Second highest-rated is AF Alajaj, now eight years old, who runs for leading owner Khalid Al Nabooda.

“AF Alajaj was always going to be in training this season as he is one of Ernst [Oertel, trainer] and my favourite horses,” said Karl Oertel, General Manager of Al Nabooda’s Arabian Farms. “He won this race in 2022 and was 4th last year after missing the break and he only narrowly missed that elusive G1 last year at Meydan [Second to Mubeed in G1 Maktoum Challenge R1]. He really deserves that, so hopefully it will come this season.”