Ed Marnane
William Buick continues to bang in the winners in the Emirates, a treble at Meydan seven days ago took his tally to six in January and he has a strong book of rides on a bumper eight-race card at Dubai’s premier track today.
In the opening race, the Jumeirah Guineas Trial, he rides Treanmor for Godolphin. The son of Frankel, a €2m (R38m) purchase at Goffs Orby Yearling Sale, shaped nicely on his local debut when fourth behind shock winner Northern Champion in the Jumeirah Stakes off a lengthy break.
He will be suited stepping up to 1600m and holds sound claims in an open-looking race.
Title Roll, 0.50 lengths in front of Treanmor in the aforementioned Jumeriah Stakes, demands obvious respect under James Doyle. His performance deserves to be upgraded, having endured a tough, wide trip from a poor draw, while he was keen and struggled to get cover.
Trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, he is open to further improvement on just his fourth career start and hails from a yard going nicely, having landed the Blue Point Sprint (Group 2) with smart sprinter Cover Up seven days ago.
First run in 2014, the Group 3 Dubai Millennium Stakes, named after the 2000 Dubai World Cup winner, is the highlight of the eight-race card and this year’s renewal has attracted a disappointing small field of seven.
It is hard to see past the unexposed By The Book, trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin. Winner of three of his four races, he caught the eye on his Meydan debut last month, winning a 2410m handicap in impressive fashion.
Always travelling powerfully, he forged clear of his six rivals and left an impression he had plenty left in the tank. The step back to 2000m is not a concern.
Appleby is doubly represented in the race and runs Arabian Light, the mount of Billy Loughnane. He overcame a six-month break when winning over the same course and distance, registering a second win at Meydan. He is lightly raced, has more to offer and is the chief threat to the selection.
French import Chibitty, now under the care of David Simcock, is an interesting runner on his UAE debut having been sold for €230,000 (R4.3m) at Arqana in November. He has won three of his eight starts and was Group 3 placed at Saint Cloud.
Crystal Black, representing Ireland, thrived since joining Gerard Keane after leaving Dermot Weld. He enjoyed success at Royal Ascot, winning the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes 18 months ago.
He stepped up on that form when winning the Ballyroan Stakes on his Group 3 debut at Leopardstown eight weeks later. He has a good record fresh and can’t be discounted under Keane’s son, Colin, the former Irish champion and Juddmonte’s retained rider.
Antrim, a rare British winner on dirt at Meydan, can follow up in the 2000m Handicap, Race 4, for Karl Burke and his Libyan-based owners, Al Leith Racing Club. By Dubawi, out a dam related to champion racemare Enable, he impressed when winning on his Meydan/dirt debut two weeks ago.
In only his third run in handicap company, he travelled strongly and quickened clear for a stylish win. He will be hard to beat and is the best bet on the card.
Earlier on the card, a maximum field of 16 are declared for Race 2, the 1600m maiden on dirt. Godolphin’s National History, trained by Appleby will be popular following an encouraging effort on his dirt debut behind Devon Island in late November.
The winner gave the form a timely boost when chasing home Six Speed in the UAE 2000 Guineas last Friday.
Unraced Salloom, who has had the benefit of two barrier trials at Meydan, is held in high regard and is trained by the red-hot Bhupat Seemar. He caught the eye winning his latest barrier trial, 13 days ago, under Tadhg O’Shea.
A $600,000 (R9.4m) purchase at OBS Sales in Florida, 10 months ago, he is by Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Authentic and should enjoy a ground-saving trip drawn in stall No 3, next to National History.
Godolphin’s Symbol Of Honour returns to Meydan, a venue at which he is unbeaten, after a lengthy break, in Race 5, the Dubai Sprint (Listed). He will appreciate the drop in class after failing to make an impact in the Prix Maurice de Gheest, the French mid-summer Group 1 sprint showpiece at Deauville in August.
Appleby’s gelding will take plenty of stopping.
The Strikin Viking, owned by Wathnan Racing, is a useful sprinter and represents Hamad Al Jehani, a trainer enjoying a terrific campaign in the UAE. Winner of two of his 10 races, he steps down in class after contesting the Grade 1 Nearctic Stakes, Canada’s premier sprint, at Woodbine in October.
The form of the stable suggests he should mount a bold bid on his UAE debut.
Race 3, the Mawj Stakes, looks a straight-forward task for Godolphin’s Dance To The Music, the only filly in the line-up that can boast a triple-digit rating.
She’s the class act of the race and it is hard to see her getting turned over on her first outing of the season.
BEST BET
Race 4 No 6 Antrim
VALUE BET
Race 1 No 11 Zumbezi
BEST SWINGER
Race 2: 12 Salloom and 14 Yamdeek
JACKPOT
(Races 4-7)
R30
Leg 1: 2, 4, 6
Leg 2: 2
Leg 3: 1, 2
Leg 4: 2, 6, 7, 13, 15