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The 2000m turf Group 3 Dubai Millennium Stakes was the official feature at Friday’s seventh meeting of the 2022 Dubai World Cup Carnival and was dominated by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin, James Doyle and Royal Fleet narrowly denying last year’s winner and stable companion Star Safari.

The latter looked likely to become the first dual winner of the race when hitting the front passing the 300m pole but Doyle’s mount responded to his jockey’s urgings to lead again when it mattered, almost right on the line.

The 2000m turf Group 3 Dubai Millennium Stakes is the official feature at Friday’s seventh meeting of the 2022 Dubai World Cup Carnival with 12 runners declared to face the starter, including last year’s winner Safari Star.

Trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin, the 6yo gelded son of Sea The Stars won this race 12 months ago under William Buick, who is again in the saddle, and will be seeking to become the first dual winner of a race inaugurated in 2011.

Racing at Meydan on Sunday, a matinee meeting, was officially highlighted by a rated conditions stakes over 1600m on dirt in which Royal Mews and Tadhg O’Shea proved far too good, completing an early double on the card for Bhupat Seemar.

In a field of seven, O’Shea settled his mount, a 5yo gelded son of Siyouni racing in the silks of Deva Racing, in midfield and, perhaps significantly slightly wide out of any kickback. Once asked to win his race at the top of the straight, the outcome was soon beyond any doubt.

Six races at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on Monday are arguably highlighted by the finale and only Thoroughbred race on the card, a 2400m handicap, in which Celestial Spheres is seeking to follow up his course and distance victory of five weeks ago.

Trained by Ismail Mohammed, the 8yo gelded son of Redoute’s Choice runs in the colours of Millennium Stables, the trainer’s Meydan base, and will on this occasion be partnered by Pat Cosgrave, replacing apprentice Gary Sanchez who has been in the saddle for the gelding’s three appearances thus far this season.

Racing at Meydan on Sunday is highlighted by a rated conditions stakes over 1600m on dirt for which seven have been declared, the weights headed by Godolphin’s Desert Peace, to be ridden by William Buick for Charlie Appleby.

A 5yo gelded son of Curlin, Appleby’s charge has won half of his eight career starts to date, including twice at Meydan, over this 1600m course and distance last March and on his seasonal return in a 2000m rated conditions stakes, the Nad Al Sheba Classic, on New Year’s Day.

Friday evening’s sixth meeting of the 2022 Dubai World Cup Carnival is highlighted by the 1000m turf Group 2 Blue Point Sprint, being contested for the first time carrying the name of Godolphin’s crack sprinter who won the equivalent race, the Meydan Sprint, in 2019 before following up in the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint and Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint, both over 1200m.

The biggest race of the Jebel Ali season, Saturday’s Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile looked a quality and competitive renewal on paper but actually turned out to be a relatively straightforward assignment for James Doyle and Algiers, a first winner of the season for both trainer Simon Crisford and owners Rabbah Racing.

Settled just behind the early pace, set by Royston Ffrench and Down on Da Bayou, Doyle asked his mount to win his race passing the 400m pole and they soon hit the front, running on strongly all the way to the line with the race won entering the final 150m.