Ed Marnane
Two weeks after Sovereign Prince flopped badly in the Jebel Ali Mile (Group 3), Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby will be hoping for better luck with the unexposed Modern Dancer in the Future Champions Cup back at the Dubai track on Sunday.
Owned and bred by Godolphin, the well-bred son of Kingman, a half-brother to Group 1 winner Ultra, is having his first run on dirt in the most valuable race on the seven-race programme and is a rare ride for William Buick at Jebel Ali.
By Kingman, Modern Dancer made a perfect start to his career, winning a maiden won on his racecourse debut at Doncaster last June. He failed to win in three subsequent appearances, but ran with credit in defeat, finishing in the frame all three starts. Rated 89, he sets the standard and if taking to dirt, he’s expected to put up a bold show in the Shadwell sponsored event, over 1400m and restricted to three-year-olds.
Jewel Genie Lamp, the only South Hemisphere bred horse in the field, must concede weight to her 11 rivals. Now back under the care of Antonio Cintra, she faces a stiff task on her Jebel Ali debut, while her rating, of 91, looks inflated based on what she has shown in two runs in the UAE since leaving Uruguay.
Shake Hands, trained by Fawzi Nass, made little impression in his first three appearances before winning a four-runner maiden at Meydan, when hitting the line strongly having been slowly away. He should appreciate the stiffer test of stamina here and is one to consider, provided he’s not tardy at the start.
In the absence of Pat Dobbs, who is unable to ride at 55kg, riding arrangements suggest unraced Ketin, the mount of Sam Hitchcott, is Doug Watson’s main hope of his three runners. The son of Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver has the benefit of a barrier trial and won’t need to be above average to make an impression.
Jebel Ali winner Talentum and the unraced Southern Artist represent champion trainer Bhupat Seemar, the latter the choice of stable jockey Tadhg O’Shea. Being by Munnings, he’s bred for dirt but it’s off-putting he is fitted with blinkers and already gelded on his racecourse debut.
Michael Costa, private trainer for Sheikh Ahmad Al Maktoum at Jebel Ali, has his horses in good form and he introduces My Verse, a $370,000 (R 6.7m) purchase at OBS Sales, in Florida, 10 months ago. She is a well-bred filly and has the advantage of being trained over the track.
Ismail Mohammed’s Justice Protecol has thrived since arriving in the Emirates, winning twice after posting a highly encouraging start to his UAE career in November, all at Jebel Ali.
Falsehood denied progressive son of Time Test a hat-trick of wins at Meydan, but it was a solid effort, and the form has worked out well. Justice Protecol rates the best bet on the card in the final race, a 1600m handicap. He must concede weight all round and defy a career-high mark but looks up to the task in his current form and will take plenty of beating.
Race 2, the 1400m maiden, doesn’t look a strong race and has attracted several exposed and disappointing types. The lightly raced Sikorsky, who began his career with Ralph Beckett, ran well in handicap company when staying-on to finish second to Master Sergeant at Jebel Ali on his local/dirt debut earlier in the month, his first run in three months.
The son of Dubawi is entitled to be sharper for the race and dropping down in grade should go well. This represents a good opportunity to make the breakthrough at the sixth time of asking.
Leading Spirit is my idea of the winner of Race 4, the 1000m handicap. Trained by Bhupat Seemar, he has been in fine form this season and wasn’t beaten far in a competitive 14-runner 1400m handicap at Abu Dhabi last time, shaping as he didn’t get home. He can boast impressive form figures - 34632573142 - at Jebel Ali and the step back to the minimum distance looks in his favour.
He will be tough to beat under Tadhg O’Shea, the top rider at Jebel Ali this season.
Bilhayl, trained by Michael Costa, bounced back to form after a poor run on his seasonal debut at Meydan when defeating Rayig and five others in a handicap back on his home track, impressing the manner he travelled before powering clear in the closing stages.
He’s very unexposed and is only having just the sixth run of his career. He is the obvious threat to the selection and clearly warrants respect.
The most competitive race on the card is Race 5, the 1800m handicap, which has drawn a full field of 16 and luck in running will be important. Capla Crusader, who must defy a double-digit draw, has been knocking on the door recently, the latest when splitting Law Of Nature and Perfect Balance at Meydan on Sunday.
The switch to dirt from turf isn’t a concern, but a bigger fear is he is having his third race in 19 days.
In a wide-open looking race, it’s hard to ignore the claims of recent winners Exciting Days, Master Sergeant and Tolmount, all are proven under the conditions. Of the trio, the last-named, trained by Salem bin Ghadayer, makes most appeal.
For a confirmed front-runner, he has the advantage of a ground-saving draw and is fancied to take his UAE tally to four.
BEST BET
Race 7 No 1 Justice Protecol
VALUE BET
Race 4 No 1 1 Leading Spirit
BEST SWINGER
Race 2 13-Sikorsky and 9-Mezzotinto
JACKPOT
(Races 4 to 7)
R72
Leg 1: 1, 4, 6
Leg 2: 2, 3
Leg 3: 4, 5, 10, 11
Leg 4: 1, 5, 15