Mark Costello
MAYBE it’s the new dirt track or maybe it’s the lack of a single Irish-trained winner but the latest racing season in the UAE has seemed less interesting than usual. Coming so soon after a spectacular Cheltenham, today’s Dubai World Cup card is also hard to get very excited about and only the most devout flat racing fans will be locking themselves away to watch all eight races over almost four hours (all live on TG4). Still, a racemeeting in the desert offering $30 million has a certain curiosity value and there are eight winners to be found!
12.40 GODOLPHIN MILE (GROUP 2). 1M. DIRT.
A high-class handicapper in England two seasons ago when with Godolphin, Tamarkuz has turned into a winning machine on Meydan’s new dirt surface and should win this comfortably. The Speightstown five-year-old is now trained locally by Musabah Al Muhairi, recently crowned champion trainer in the UAE. Second favourite Frankyfourfingers is a consistent type, proven on this surface and back at his ideal trip.
Selection: TAMARKUZ.
Next best: Frankyfourfingers
1.15 DUBAI GOLD CUP (GROUP 2). 2M. TURF.
Won by Irish raider Certerach last year, this two-mile event has attracted a decent cast, headed by Irish St Leger winner Brown Panther. Drawn 14, like last year’s winner, Brown Panther could struggle to get to the front early and is worth opposing. French raider Bathyron looks to have plenty to find on what is his first run for five months, and it is worrying that the inconsistent Ahzeemah is considered best of the local hopes. In the belief that a younger stayer can come through the ranks, John Gosden’s Marzocco is the pick. He was no better than Group 3 class last season but appeals as the type to make big strides this season and he is much better than the bare form of his recent Chelmsford win.
Selection: MARZOCCO.
Next best: Havana Beat
1.55 UAE DERBY (GROUP 2). 3YO. 1M 1F 110YDS. DIRT.
No Aidan O’Brien runners this year and it’s unlikely the result will impact on the Kentucky Derby either. This is a tough test for three-year-olds and so it’s easy to make a case for the only southern hemisphere-foaled runner, Sir Fever who will wear blinkers and a shadow roll to aid his concentration. This Uruguayan import has the same profile as the mighty Invasor (who suffered his only career defeat in this race) and this Godolphin purchase – a sure stayer – is expected to come on significantly for his recent outing over this track.
Selection: SIR FEVER.
Next best: Maftool
2.30 AL QUOZ SPRINT (GROUP 1). 5F. TURF.
Without a win in eight starts at Meydan, Sole Power is hard to fancy on attempt number nine today. Possibly the way the sprints unfold here does not suit this fast finisher - the front-runners just don’t come back as quickly as they seem to do in Europe. This is best left to the three Hong Kong raiders - Bundle Of Joy, Peniaphobia and last year’s winner Amber Sky. The Irish-bred Peniaphobia may have a nice draw in stall 16. Winner of the 2013 Super Sprint at Newbury when trained by Richard Fahey, the Dandy Man gelding appears to be still improving.
Selection: PENIAPHOBIA. Next bext: Amber Sky
3.05 DUBAI GOLDEN SHAHEEN (GROUP 1) 6F. DIRT.
The American raiders, headed by Secret Circle, should take care of this but this is one race where we could see a surprise result as there are big doubts over just about every runner. Another of the Americans, Salutos Amigos, has an attractive profile. This New York speedster keeps defying the odds. Rich Tapestry finished second in this race last year (on Tapeta) but, while he has good form on dirt, he reportedly did not have an ideal preparation for this race. Connections of the Irish-bred Lucky Nine are taking a big gamble running on this surface.
Selection: SALUTOS AMIGOS. Next best: Secret Circle
3.40 DUBAI TURF (GROUP 1) 1M 1F. TURF.
The reappearance of The Grey Gatsby in this race is one of the highlights of the meeting. Punters keep underestimating this plucky four-year-old and it’s easy to take him on here, stepping back in trip to nine furlongs in what is often a slowly-run race. French hope Solow is taking a big jump in class but is unexposed and has speed. The French filly Cladocera has landed some soft touches in Dubai this winter but surely she will be found out here. The American raider Mshawish ran fourth in this race a year ago and the form of his recent US wins is open to question. His trainer Todd Pletcher had Euro Charline in his care last autumn but the Beverly D winner never raced for him and has been sent back to Marco Botti. Her preparation for this race is said to have gone really well and this one-time 800gns buy is a sporting bet at odds of around 10/1 to win this $6 million race.
Selection: EURO CHARLINE. Next best: Solow
4.15 DUBAI SHEEMA CLASSIC (GROUP 1). 1M 4F. TURF.
The script is simple - Ryan Moore takes over the ride on a leading Japanese hope and scorches to victory. That’s what happened last year with Gentildonna and what many expect to happen this evening with Harp Star. The selection looked to be given a very moderate ride when fifth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. But there is some serious opposition here - namely Flintshire, Main Sequence and Designs On Rome. Flintshire was second in the Arc and well placed to win a Group 1 in Sha Tin afterwards. He is rock-solid. Second to Camelot in the 2012 Derby but unreliable afterwards, Main Sequence has been unstoppable since moving to the USA and the likely steady pace here could play into his hands. The ex-Irish Designs On Rome is another with a fine turn of foot but he is unproven over 12 furlongs.
Selection: MAIN SEQUENCE. Next best: Flintshire
5.00 DUBAI WORLD CUP (GROUP 1). 1M 2F. DIRT.
If it’s true that the dirt track was put down with the primary aim of attracting the best American horses to the World Cup then the organisers will be praying that California Chrome wins. Last year’s Kentucky Derby winner and Horse of the Year in the US was firmly put in his place by old foe Shared Belief last time out but that dirt form is a few lengths ahead of anything achieved by fellow American challenger Lea. Last year’s winner African Story appeared to handle dirt well when winning a trial here recently but the form of that race is highly suspect. Japanese hope Hokko Tarumae is respected as he a multiple Group 1 winner on dirt.