Canvassed looks best in Garhoud Sprint at Meydan

Ed Marnane

The Listed Garhoud Sprint, the first major dirt sprint of the season, headlines Friday’s seven-race card at Meydan.

This year’s renewal has attracted a stellar field, headed by the Doug Watson pair Al Tariq and Canvassed. Pat Dobbs, Watson stable jockey, has elected to ride classy Canvassed, a horse who has made massive strides since connections made the decision to drop him down in the distance last year.

By Shamardal, he won the Mahab Al Shimaal before running with credit behind the ill-fated Zenden in the Golden Shaheen. He failed to score in three appearances last season but clearly hadn’t lost his ability when only Meraas denied him in the Al Shindagha Sprint.

Canvassed holds sound claims of giving his owner, Sheikh Obaid Al Maktoum, another big prize on his seasonal debut, five days after San Donato landed the National Day Cup (Listed) in Abu Dhabi in impressive fashion.

Al Tariq, who began his career in France, has improved for joining Watson in Dubai and returns to action after a rare dull effort in the Golden Shaheen in March, trailing in a long way behind Switzerland.

He has a history of going well off a break and demands obvious respect despite having to concede weight to his seven rivals. The Oasis Dream gelding is ideally berthed in stall No 3 for a horse who needs to be ridden forcefully.

Tuz, winner of the Dubai Creek Mile last season, represents champion trainer Bhupat Seemar. He looks vulnerable on his seasonal debut over a trip short of his best. His stable companion Freedom Fighter, to be ridden by Tadhg O’Shea, makes plenty of appeal.

Formerly trained by Bob Baffert, he made an immediate impact in his first season the UAE, finishing in the frame in both the Dubawi Stakes and Al Shindagha Sprint. He had a valid excuse when tailed off in the Mahab Al Shimaal, having been found to be lame after the race. He’s very unexposed and is open to further improvement.

Shadwell-owned Raaeb created a big impression on his dirt debut for new trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri in a 1200m handicap last month. Always travelling strongly, he powered clear to score in facile style.

The son of Raven’s Pass is one to consider stepping up in class and can’t be overlooked.

Mouheeb, impressive winner on his seasonal debut at Jebel Ali, is 2-2 over 1200m and is a former UAE 2000 Guineas winner at Meydan. It’s a concern his trainer, Michael Costa, is 0-17 at Meydan since arriving in the Emirates and is awaiting his first winner at the track.

Upper Class caught the eye winning a handicap, over 1200m, at Meydan last month. He won with plenty in hand, clocking a slick time under a positive front-running ride, and appeals at bigger odds.

Race 2, the opening maiden, run over a distance of 1400m for three-year-olds, has attracted a small field, and Sari Dubai gets a confident vote to take the spoils.

Trained by Doug Watson, he has progressed with racing since returning from his summer break. On his latest outing, he tried to make all but was caught in the closing stages by Emdakam, with the re-opposing Made In Dubai a length back in third.

Sari Dubai, to be ridden by Pat Dobbs, will be suited dropping in distance and can confirm form with Salem bin Ghadayer’s gelding.

Fourteen have been declared for Race 3, the 1600m handicap. It looks wide open and recent winners Silver Jubilee, Street Mood and Mersaal hold obvious claims. The last-named, trained by Michael Costa, is unbeaten in two runs at Jebel Ali this season. He looks an exciting prospect and if finding further improvement should run well.

Street Mood built on a promising comeback when defeating Western Symphony last month. He doesn’t look badly handicapped off his new mark of 84.

Silver Jubilee, trained by Doug Watson, returned with a bang at Jebel Ali, slamming Quality Humor and six others in a maiden. A well-bred son of Dubawi, he more to offer and is very unexposed on dirt. Of the others, Bhupat Seemar’s Al Maroom and 2020 UAE Oaks winner Down On Da Bayou make most appeal.

The pair are proven under the conditions, are fit and in good form, and the draw has been kind.

On official ratings Arabian Gazelles has a great chance of opening her account for Bhupat Seemar in Race 4, the 1900m maiden. Second in last season’s UAE Oaks she made a pleasing comeback at Al Ain, going down narrowly to Vasilakos. Rated 94 she’s entitled to be sharper for the run and should take plenty of stopping.

The Midriff Stakes, Race 6, is a valuable contest and should provide some clues for the UAE 2000 Guineas later in the season. Brazilian-bred Long Kiss, who has to concede weight to his seven rivals, produced a stunning performance on his local debut last month.

He looked a forlorn hope at halfway, detached from the leaders having lost ground leaving the gates with a tardy start before powering home to catch Golden Arch in the dying strides in a 1400m maiden. Rated 80 he sets the standard, and it will be disappointing if he doesn’t go close on his debut for new trainer Julio Olascoaga.

BEST BET

Race 2 No 6 Sari Dubai

VALUE BET

Race 4 No 5 Al Jaddaf

BEST SWINGER

Race 6 1-Al Tariq and 8-Upper Class

JACKPOT

Races 4 to 7

R96

Leg 1: 5, 10

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 8

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3

Leg 4: 1, 4, 7, 11