Today on Sky Sports Racing: Quddwah in the Spotlight for Zabeel Mile
It’s a packed day’s racing on Friday with flat events scheduled at Wolverhampton and Meydan, streamed live on Sky Sports Racing.4.25 Meydan – G2 Zabeel Mile – Elegant Quddwah takes on nine challengersThe elegant Quddwah is set to lead the field in the highlight of the day at the Group Two Zabeel Mile. Simon and Ed Crisford, who triumphed in this race last year with Poker Face, bring their leading horse here aiming to replicate that success. Though he won just twice last year, he consistently competed against strong rivals and nearly clinched the Prix Daniel Wildenstein in this class in October.
Following a busy year, he underperformed when placed far down the leaderboard in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day. After a period of rest, he arrives here hoping to regain his competitive edge. The second-highest rated contender, Holloway Boy, came into this event rated 5lbs lower after being beaten last year, but he heads here following a victory in the Listed Hyde Stakes at Kempton in December, having previously secured second in the Balmoral Handicap on Champions Day. Another valiant effort is anticipated.
Aomori City hasn’t raced since finishing poorly in the French 2,000 Guineas and will need a significant turnaround to be competitive here. Nonetheless, he has solid connections and could potentially be in contention.
6.30 Wolverhampton – Chifa Attempts to Overcome Six-Pound IncreaseChifa will strive to rise above a 6lbs increase as he competes in the Read Meg Nicholls’ Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap at Wolverhampton. He achieved his sixth victory at his favored Wolverhampton at the end of November, where six out of his seven career wins have been secured, and he will be partnered by Dunstall Park star Luke Morris in a race that appears winnable. However, he must overcome a career-high rating of 69 to clinch victory, and he has not won at any mark higher than 65.
Top-weight Straight A, representing the Michael Appleby team, is quite the specialist at Wolverhampton himself, seeking a third win at the course this evening. He is competing 2lbs above his last winning mark, attained in January of the previous year, but he has faced misfortune with the handicapper, as he has ascended in the ratings without registering another win while encountering some competitively rated opponents.
3.15 Meydan – Jumeriah Stakes – Catullus and Treanmor Encounter Each OtherGodolphin pair Catullus and Treanmor face off in the Jumeirah Stakes at Meydan. Catullus is the chosen mount of William Buick and makes his return from a break, having last raced in September where he finished third in the Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket. That day, he was significantly outpaced, but the race’s outcome has some notable merit, with the victor, Distant Storm, finishing third in the Dewhurst next time out.
Stablemate Treanmor is under the care of Billy Loughnane, who boasts a 50% win rate when riding for Charlie Appleby within the UK. They join forces here with a horse that was installed as a warm favorite for the Chesham Stakes. Although he hasn’t raced since a disappointing effort there, this progeny of Frankel might be far better than that performance indicates and remains intriguing. Appleby triumphed in this race with a lesser horse last year and appears to hold a strong advantage this time around.
Do or Do Not was put to a considerable challenge for Ed Walker over the summer, arriving here as the top-rated contender, with his second-place finish in the Coventry behind Gstaad being the best piece of available form. His season dwindled after that performance and he is now under the training of Jamie Osborne. Power For Power bested Do Or Do Not at this track and distance recently, and they will meet again with the latter arriving here in a more favorable position with weights.
Best of the rest3.50 Meydan – Dark Saffron leads a competitive Group Three event but needs to find his form again after underperforming in December.6.00 Wolverhampton – The well-bred Frankel filly Star Obsession makes her debut for William Haggas.8.30 Wolverhampton – Law Supreme strives for consecutive wins at the course.
Published: 2026-01-02 07:00:00
source: www.skysports.com
