Ed Marnane
A fascinating Dubai World Cup rounds off a star-studded night of racing at Meydan on Saturday, in which Ushba Tesoro is back to defend his crown and faces Kabirkhan, the pride of Kazakhstan who has risen from humble beginnings, winning a three-runner maiden at Almaty racetrack on his debut in July 2022, to be major player in the $12m showpiece of the Dubai racing calendar.
Trained by Doug Watson, Kabirkhan, a son of 2016 Dubai World Cup hero California Chrome, is a winning machine and in 11 starts has only been beaten once. He’s unbeaten at Meydan and his victory in the Al Maktoum Challenge caught the eye.
Japan, who have enjoyed huge success on the global stage in recent years, hold typical strong hand, led by last year’s winner Ushba Tesoro.
He ran well when a close second in the Saudi Cup and holds sounds claims of avenging that narrow defeat and giving Japan their third Dubai World Cup.
Twelve months ago Derma Sotogake was a stunning winner of the UAE Derby when destroying his rivals and looking a special talent. Back after a solid effort behind White Abarrio in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, he shaped nicely in the Saudi Cup and is expected to come forward for the race.
The Japanese colt is a leading player under Christophe Lemaire, the French Japanese-based rider, who 12 months ago enjoyed one of the greatest victories of his career aboard the mighty Equinox in the Sheema Classic at Meydan.
The clash of Auguste Rodin and Liberty Island in the Sheema Classic is arguably the highlight of the card and a race to savour. Auguste Rodin, trained by Aidan O’Brien for the Coolmore partners, is a smart colt and his impressive CV includes the Derby, Irish Derby, Irish Champion Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Turf. However, two below-par performances in the 2000 Guineas and King George, that left connections puzzled, are a concern. He will need to bring his A-Game to start his 2024 campaign with a bang.
lassy Liberty Island, winner of the Japan’s Fillies’ Triple Crown, rounded off her 2023 campaign chasing home Equinox, the world’s top-ranked horse, in the Japan Cup. She can spoil Auguste Rodin’s comeback and provide Japan with their third successive winner in the race.
The Dubai Turf, over a distance of 1800m, is truly an international affair and the admirable Lord North returns seeking a fourth win on the trot. He showed he retains his enthusiasm and ability when second in the Winter Derby on the All-Weather track at Southwell last month, a perfect prep after a lengthy break. In an open race, the Japanese pair Do Deuce and Danon Belgua warrant respect, along with Charlie Appleby’s unexposed and progressive Measured Time, who is unbeaten in two appearances at Meydan.
In the Golden Shaheen, over 1200m on dirt, Sibelius is one of four American-trained speedsters looking to continue the dominance of the US in the race. In a dramatic finish 12 months ago, he scraped home under a powerful ride from Ryan Moore to deny Switzerland. He arrives back in the Middle East in good form and should put up a bold show.
Bold Journey, trained by Bill Mott, was a good third in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint, doing his best work at the finish. He will be suited by a strong pace and makes plenty appeal for a trainer who saddled Cigar to win the inaugural Dubai World Cup in 1996.
Forever Young, regarded by many as the banker of the night in the UAE Derby, gave favourite backers a fright in the Saudi Derby five weeks. He broke awkwardly and didn’t travel kindly in the early stages but stayed on strongly to grab the lead in the final stride and deny the US-trained Book’Em Danno. Drawn out wide in stall No 13, he faces a challenging task and at skinny odds can be passed over.
Earlier on the card, the Godolphin Mile looks a head-to-head between Saudi Cup third Saudi Crown and Isolate, last year’s winner.
The Doug Watson-trained five-year-old, who was over seven lengths behind Saudi Crown in Riyadh, is fancied to get his revenge back on home soil. He impressed in last year’s renewal and is unexposed over a mile.
There has to be a big fear Saudi Crown will regress after his tough race five weeks ago.
A full field of 16 go to post for the Dubai Gold Cup, the staying showpiece of the card over 3200m. It is a cracking renewal and many of Europe’s top stayers run, including recent Red Sea Turf Handicap winner Tower Of London, trained by Aidan O’Brien. A wide draw is a blow for his chances.
In a wide-open looking event, Godolphin’s Trawlerman, the British Champions Long Distance Cup winner, makes plenty of appeal, along with two-time Classic winner Elder Eldarov, who is trained by Roger Varian and is by Dubawi, the leading sire at Meydan. Siskany, trained by Charlie Appleby, can’t be left out of calculations. He was narrowly beaten 12 months ago and is unbeaten at Meydan this year.
BEST BET
Race 9 No 4 Derma Sotogake
VALUE BET
Race 4 No 3 Casa Creed
BEST SWINGER
Race 8: 12-Liberty Island and 10-Emily Upjohn
JACKPOT
Races 6 to 9
R36
Leg 1: 1, 5, 13, 11
Leg 2: 5, 10, 16
Leg 3: 10, 11, 12
Leg 4: 4