The 2024 Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) champion Tuz is set to make a highly anticipated return. After nearly nine months since his emphatic victory on Dubai World Cup night, Tuz will take to the track again, carrying a 1.5kg penalty for his previous triumph. Trainer Bhupat Seemar expressed confidence in the 7-year-old's readiness, noting that Tuz is in better shape than during his seasonal debut last year.
Seemar described Tuz as one of the fastest horses in the world, emphasising his versatility, having won at distances ranging from six furlongs to a mile. Tadhg O'Shea, Tuz’s regular rider, will guide him from stall seven. Seemar also highlighted two other runners from Zabeel Stables: Morning, a Sharjah winner three weeks ago, known for his late finishes, and Freedom Fighter, a six-year-old with a history of narrow defeats but considerable potential.
Doug Watson’s Colour Up, last year's winner, and Michael Costa’s Mojeyrr, a recent course winner, pose threats to Seemar's trio.
Elsewhere, the Zoho Handicap over 2,000 meters features Julio Olascoaga’s Mount Kosciuszko, who impressed with a win at Jebel Ali last month. Olascoaga is optimistic about his chances on Meydan’s surface.
In the Arabian Radio Network 2-year-old race, Lucie Botti enters Channagide and Yuvraaj. Botti views the race as an opportunity for Channagide to gain experience on dirt, while Yuvraaj, described as promising but still developing, holds potential for future success.