Heavy Metal gets 'optimum conditions' in Al Maktoum Challenge defense

On his second start of last season’s campaign, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum’s Heavy Metal was never headed from stall two under Mickael Barzalona in Meydan's Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 (G2). Connections will be hoping to repeat the feat from gate seven on Thursday.

A 9-year-old gelded son of Exceed and Excel, the Sandeep Jadhav trainee is seeking to emulate Le Bernardin, winner of the dirt feature in both 2006 and 2007 and so far the only dual winner of a race established in 1994. He would also become the joint oldest winner alongside Barbecue Eddie who landed the spoils in 2013. Seeking a ninth Meydan dirt success and eighth over this 1600m, Heavy Metal ended the last campaign with a smooth success in the Godolphin Mile (G2)—then with Ryan Moore in the saddle—on the Dubai World Cup card.

“He is in very good form at home and we are looking forward to getting him back on the track,” Jadhav said. “A lower draw would have been nice in a strong race, but these are his optimum conditions and we are very hopeful.”

Second last year was subsequent Dubai World Cup (G1) winner, Thunder Snow, one place in front of North America, who went on to register a career-best when victorious on Super Saturday in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (G1) two starts later. Unraced since failing to break and losing all chance early in the Dubai World Cup, the Satish Seemar-trained 7-year-old Dubawi gelding he is again making his return in this one-mile spot and enters with the field’s top rating (118). Regular jockey Richard Mullen will ride. 

Assistant trainer Bhupat Seemar said: “He is ready for a run and in great form at home, but this is a trip on the short side for him and he is going to improve for the outing. Basically this is the first step towards his bigger targets later in the season, but he is certainly in good shape.”

Chasing home Heavy Metal in the Godolphin Mile in second was His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Muntazah, who was making his dirt debut on just his third UAE outing. Unlike the aforementioned pair, this 6-year-old Doug Watson-trained Dubawi gelding does have the benefit of an outing this season when tiring in the straight on the Abu Dhabi turf. 

Heavy Metal’s most recent defeat was on Super Saturday behind Watson-trained Kimbear in the Burj Nahaar (G3) over this trip. Five weeks ago, the 5-year-old Temple City horse was third behind stable companion Drafted,in the 1200m Garhoud Sprint (Listed). Watson has a third bow to his string in deep-closing Etijaah, also wearing the Shadwell blue and white as Muntazah.

“All three are really in great shape,” Watson said. “Kimbear pleased us in the Garhoud Sprint, came out of the run very well and has had a nice break since. Likewise, with Muntazah, who has come on a lot for his Abu Dhabi run. Etijaah is just a grand older campaigner who tries his best all the time. Hopefully all three have a chance.”

Godolphin’s royal blue silks have only been carried to victory in the race on three occasions, most recently by Shuruq in 2014. Charlie Appleby saddles the owner’s Gold Town, a winner of the UAE 2000 Guineas (G3) over this trip last year. The 4-year-old Street Cry gelding has not been seen in public since finishing a distant fourth in the 1900m UAE Derby (G2) behind Mendelssohn. 

“We took a decision to save him for Dubai, and this race was always the first target,” Appleby said. “He has been working well and this should tell us where we stand with him, because it looks a good renewal.”

Completing the Al Maktoum Challenge R1 field are Simon Crisford-trained African Ride, making his surface debut with a pedigree that bodes well for such, as well as deep-closing South Korean import Dolkong and former Roger Varian trainee Masaarr, who tries dirt for the first time and has been in the care of Nicholas Bachalard.