DUBAI: The Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Weekend is set to get Newbury Racecourse’s flat season off to a flying start on Saturday with three Group 3 contests featuring on the opening day.
The day’s program starts with the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes which could see the return of course and distance winner, Ilaraab, carrying the colors of Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum.
The William Haggas-trained five-year-old provided a thrilling finish to the 2020 renewal of the Dubai Duty Free Handicap at the Dubai Duty Free International weekend with a neck victory over Royal Marine before triumphing over Raymond Tusk, who is also likely to feature in Saturday’s contest, in York’s Ebor Handicap. Ilaraab completed his season back at Newbury with victory in the Group 3 St. Simon Stakes in October.
Classic credentials will be on show when the fillies take center stage in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes, a recognized trial for the 1,000 Guineas and the second of seven races across the two-day fixture backed by the world’s leading airport retailer.
Both Godolphin and Shadwell Estate Co. look set to be represented, the former with course and distance winner Wild Beauty trained by Charlie Appleby, and Shadwell with Shaara who won on her only start as a two-year-old for John and Thady Gosden.
For the first time the Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials Weekend over the Easter holiday period with the card traditionally run on Friday switched to become the second day of the meeting providing an opportunity for families to enjoy a host of themed activities.
Dubai Duty Free’s executive vice chairman and chief executive officer, Colm McLoughlin, said: “We are delighted to be returning to Newbury Racecourse after an absence of two-and-a-half years enforced by COVID-19 travel restrictions, and to be supporting the team at Newbury in staging this event over the Easter holiday weekend as a one-off.
“We hope it will provide an opportunity for families to enjoy a combination of racing and fun activities and perhaps introduce some new faces to the racecourse.”
Racegoers on both days will be able to enjoy complimentary Arabic coffee and dates in the stylish Dubai Duty Free Marquee where there will also be the chance to win fabulous prizes including free entry into the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire and Finest Surprise draws.