Ed Marnane takes a close look at the nine races to be run at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai on Saturday.
Dubai Kahayla Classic – Race 1
Top globe-trotting Arabian First Classs is back to defend his crown and looks the one to beat in a strong renewal that boasts a big field of 14. The Qatari-trained six-year-old, a multiple winner at Group 1 level, is nicely drawn and is fancied to land his second Group 1 prize in the UAE this season. Jugurtha de Monlau impressed when winning Round III of the Al Maktoum Challenge over this course and distance three weeks ago and looks the chief threat. Kerless Del Roc, second 12 months ago, needs to improve to take revenge on First Classs. The six-year-old, winner of five of his 10 races on dirt, comes here in good form, having chased home Jugurtha de Monlau earlier in the month. In an open-looking race Hayyan and RB Rich Lyke Me must also enter calculations.
Godolphin Mile – Race 2
Japan can start the night on high note with Bathrat Leon becoming only the third horse in history to win this race twice, emulating Lost Soldier and Firebreak. A versatile performer, he made all when winning the 1351 Turf Sprint in Saudi Arabia last month, the same tactics he employed when causing a massive shock on his Meydan debut in the Godolphin Mile 12 months ago. He doesn’t lack for early speed and could be hard to catch. Discovery Island led home runner-up Raaeb, Royal Mews (third) and Desert Wisdom (fifth) in the Burj Nahaar, a key local trial. Desert Wisdom is fancied to reverse the form under regular rider Andre de Vries. He had been out sorts this season and that latest effort was a welcome return to form. He holds each-way claims at big odds. Doug Watson, who has enjoyed success in the Godolphin Mile, holds a strong hand with four of the 14 runners. Prince Eiji, winner of the Firebreak Stakes, is the choice of Pat Dobbs. He has improved since switched to dirt and makes plenty of appeal. It’s hard to ignore the claims of Golden Goal and Isolate. They are proven under the conditions and come here in good order. The Andre Fabre-trained Egot, a Group 3 winner in France for Godolphin, faces a stiff task on his dirt debut.
Dubai Gold Cup – Race 3
Wide open. Godolphin were narrowly denied victory with Manobo 12 months ago and provide four of the 16 runners. Preference is for Charlie Appleby’s Siskany, an impressive winner of the Nad Al Sheba Trophy and unbeaten at Meydan. Global Storm, Appleby’s second runner, returned from a 162-day break when winning the Dubai City of Gold. He is proven at Meydan and won’t be far away if he stays. 2022 Derby Italiano winner Ardakan, trained by Marco Botti, was no match for Siskany last time, but will be suited to the step up to 3200m. Subjectivist created a big impression in winning the 2021 Dubai Gold Cup and went on to win the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot three months later. He has plenty to prove after flopping badly in the Red Sea Turf Handicap following a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a tendon injury. Outsider Al Nayyir could reward each-way backers. The well-bred son of Dubawi, a brother to top stayer New London, has progressed since switching to turf and going up in trip this season.
Al Quoz Sprint – Race 4
Al Dasim has thrived since joining trainer George Boughey, winning five of six races. He is unbeaten at Meydan and impressed when defeating his elders from a poor draw in the Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint on Super Saturday. In a weak renewal, he sets the standard and looks the one to beat getting weight from his 15 rivals. Al Suhail, owned by Godolphin, punched his ticket in the Ras Al Khor, making all under William Buick and recording his second win at Meydan this year. The step back to 1200m is a query, but he shouldn’t be far away as he bids to give Charlie Appleby a third victory in five years. Hong Kong sprinters command respect on their rare appearances on the international stage and won the 2014 renewal with Amber Sky. Sight Success, trained by John Size, is a major player with Ryan Moore a notable booking for the Australian-bred gelding. A consistent and reliable type, he can boast form at the highest level and was a good second behind Wellington in the Hong Kong Sprint in December. Duke Wai, Hong Kong’s second runner, arrives in good heart. British sprinter Flaming Rib, part-owned by former English footballer Michael Owen and trained by Hugo Palmer, is chasing another big prize in the Middle East having recently landed the valuable Dukhan Sprint in Qatar. He will need to raise his game stepping up to Group 1 level on his UAE debut. Happy Romance, runner-up last year, returns for another crack. She ran well when fourth in the 1351 Turf Sprint and isn’t without a chance.
UAE Derby – Race 5
Aidan O’Brien-trained Cairo is charting a similar route to Mendelssohn, winner of the 2018 UAE Derby for Coolmore. Cairo began the year by winning the Patton Stakes, the same race Mendelssohn won en route to glory in the final leg of the Dubai Triple Crown. Cairo’s victory at Dundalk was a performance that was no more than workmanlike and switching to dirt is clearly a big query. But being by top US dirt sire Quality Road fuels optimism he may handle the conditions. Tall Boy and Ah Jeez, both winners at Meydan, and the Grade 3 placed maiden Worcester, trained by Bob Baffert, represent the USA. Worcester is open to improvement stepping up in trip, and commands obvious respect on just the third start of his career. Japanese runners Continuar and Derma Sotogake, and Es-Unico from Uruguay, all ran well in the Saudi Derby behind shock local winner Commissioner King. In an open race they are entitled to respect. Japan’s best chance lies with Dura Erede, the highest rated horse in the field. He’s a strong stayer, is unbeaten on dirt and showed a likeable attitude when winning the Hopeful Stakes (Group 1).
Dubai Golden Shaheen – Race 6
Historically USA sprinters have dominated, winning five of the past seven renewals. Gunite, trained by Steve Asmussen, chased home Elite Power in the Riyadh Sprint and this looks a good opportunity for him to go one better. A strong-travelling type, he will be suited by the expected strong pace. Bob Baffert’s Hopkins, a progressive sprinter, and 2022 Breeders’ Cup runner-up C Z Rocket give the USA a strong hand, along with Sibelius, winner of his last two races. Switzerland, the surprise winner 12 months ago, has been kept fresh for the race and hasn’t been seen since winning the Dubawi Stakes in January on his seasonal debut. Now nine, he retains all his ability and enthusiasm, but is vulnerable in a high-class renewal. Godolphin’s Lemon Pop, a multiple winner on dirt, spearheads Japan’s four-pronged assault. Rated 113, he has been campaigned over further his whole career and could possible find the 1200m on the sharp side. Red Le Zele ran well in last year’s renewal and is one to consider. Of the others Sound Money enters calculations on the back of an eye-catching victory over the course and distance on his Meydan debut on Super Saturday for new trainer Bhupat Seemar.
Dubai Turf – Race 7
Japan has an impressive record in the race and they return to Meydan seeking their seventh win with a big team led by 2022 Derby winner Do Deuce. He impressed in his lead-up race last month, winning the Grade 2 Kyoto Kinen. He will be suited by the conditions and remains open to further improvement on just the eighth start of his career. It’s easy to make a case for classy Serifos, winner of five of his eight races. He broke the track record when landing the Mainchi Okan in October before winning the Grade 1 Mile Championship and holds obvious claims. Vin de Garde, who just missed in a three-way thriller 12 months ago, failed to make an impression on dirt in the Saudi Cup. He will appreciate reverting to turf and has the services of Mickael Barzalona, the top rider at Meydan this season. Lord North, the resounding winner two years ago, shared the spoils with Panthalassa 12 months ago. Returning from a lengthy break, he created a big impression in the Winter Derby at Lingfield last month, slamming his seven rivals and confirming his well-being. The Godolphin pair of Nations Pride, the choice of William Buick, and Master Of The Seas will need to raise their game in this company.
Dubai Sheema Classic – Race 8
Arguably the best race on the card. All eyes will be on Equinox, Japanese Horse of the Year and the highest-rated runner at the meeting. He arrives in Dubai with a massive reputation, many observers suggesting he is the best horse to come out of Japan in years. Winner of four of his six races, he crushed his rivals in the Arima Kinen and will take plenty of beating. Rebel’s Romance, trained by Charlie Appleby, is the chief threat and has sound claims of keeping the prize at home. Winner of the 2021 UAE Derby on dirt, he has taken his form to a new level since switched to grass, racking up five wins from as many starts. He rounded off 2022 with a victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland. The obvious concern is he has had an interrupted preparation, having been ruled out of his prep in the Dubai City of Gold earlier in the month. Westover, impressive winner of the Irish Derby, has the services of Ryan Moore and should be suited by the conditions. Last year’s Dubai Sheema Classic winner Shahryar faces a stronger test in this year’s renewal and has plenty to find with Equinox on their form in the Tenoo Sho. Mostahdaf, owned by Shadwell, was a comfortable winner of the Neom Cup. He handles quick ground and hails from a yard with terrific record in the race.
Dubai World Cup – Race 9
Country Grammer, the defending champion, can atone for a narrow defeat in the Saudi Cup and give trainer Bob Baffert his fifth win in the event. The son of Tonalist is a stronger stayer but is fancied to provide Frankie Dettori with a record five Dubai World Cup wins in the Italian’s final season of riding before retiring at the end of the year. Algiers, the only European challenger, has been wildly impressive this year, bolting up in the first two legs of the Al Maktoum Challenge. It looks significant that his connections have kept him fresh for Dubai’s showpiece by missing Round III of the Challenge and the Saudi Cup. Panthalassa, one of eight Japanese runners, made all when winning the Saudi Cup, only his second race on dirt. He will find it hard to dominate in this field, especially stepping up to 2000m and breaking from stall 15. The 2022 UAE Derby winner, Crown Pride, is the mount of top Australian rider Damian Lane and made late progress to finish fifth in the Saudi Cup. He should improve going up in distance and is proven at Meydan unlike many of his rivals. Vela Azul, the top-rated horse in the field, has a modest record on dirt, winning two of his 15 starts. Jun Light Bolt won Japan’s biggest prize on dirt, the Champions Cup, when getting better of Crown Pride in a close finish. He has plenty to find on Saudi Cup form.