Al Garhoud Sprint set to turn up the heat at Dubai Racing Carnival

The Dubai Racing Carnival turns up the heat on Friday, December 5, with a card built around one of the season’s best high-stakes contests, the Listed Al Garhoud Sprint, a six-furlong dash where there is no margin for error.

- Leslie Wilson Jr [e-mail]

Dark Saffron storms home under Connor Beasley to claim the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen, holding off Nakatomi by a neck in a thrilling finish.

(DRC)

As a key stepping stone toward the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) on Dubai World Cup Day, this is the kind of race where reputations and hopes can change in seconds.

Dark Saffron, last season’s shock Golden Shaheen hero, returns as the headline act following a flawless comeback win in the Emirates Airline Handicap under Connor Beasley, four weeks ago.

“He's doing well, he’s been training very well,” said Ahmad bin Harmash of Dark Saffron. “The only question mark is carrying the top weight [59.5kg] against older horses, as he is only three years old But Dark Saffron is Dark Saffron. I think he will run a good race.”

Among his most dangerous rivals is Mufasa, a three-time US Grade 3 winner with high cruising speed. His trainer Bhupat Seemar believes the drop to six furlongs could unlock his best Dubai form after a respectable Godolphin Mile debut in March.