Clinet seeking to clinch hat-trick
John Hills’ Clinet bids for a Carnival hat-trick and a second Listed win in the Balanchine Stakes, the feature race of Friday night’s marathon nine-race card at the Dubai International Racing Carnival.
Winner of a grass handicap on the first night of the Carnival, she then followed up in the Listed Cape Verdi Stakes over a mile.
In a race restricted to fillies and mares, she will be partnered by the trainer’s brother Michael, who was third on her at Doncaster in July, as regular pilot Eddie Ahern is suspended.
At the weights, she faces a very stiff task to confirm opening night form with France’s Satwa Queen, whom she beat a neck on that occasion but meets on much worse terms.
Connections of the French horse are hoping for a Group One Dubai Duty Free invite on World Cup night, as is Mike De Kock with Group One winner Irridescence, who heads the weights.
Dhruba Selvaratnam’s Brindisi, runner-up to Clinet last time and campaigned by the Hills’ father Barry in the UK, is the other runner to consider.
Mick Channon’s Obe Gold, Amanda Perrett’s Royal Storm and Eamon Tyrrell’s Slip Dance are among the 12 runners in a very competitive six-furlong grass handicap.
Karl Burke’s King Marju will also be in action in another grass handicap, with Channon’s Millennium Force, John Gosden’s Jalamid and Godolphin’s Stetchworth Prince all clashing in the another race.
Clive Brittain’s Party Boss faces seven rivals in a seven-furlong dirt handicap while Richard Fahey’s Realism is in the second division of the same race.
Mrk Johnston’s Crosspeace makes his Carnival bow in the 12-furlong grass handicap, in which Jamie Poulton’s Land ’N Stars seeks a second course-and-distance win under John Egan.
