Meydan 06 February 2014
Instructions
Please click on the “View Full Racecard & Odds” button to get the full racecard information.
VERSAC PY finished a short-head second in the Arab Group 1 on Dubai World Cup night at last year's Carnival and he's the one to beat based on that form. The seven-year-old hasn't been seen since, but he finished a neck second on his seasonal bow in this corresponding race 12 months ago and that proves he goes well fresh. Others to noted include Rabbah De Carrere and Albar Lotois.
TAMARKUZ was well fancied when only fifth in a near-identical handicap on the Tapeta surface last week but there was enough in that performance to suggest he's worth another look. From an ideal draw in stall three on that occasion, he was slowly away under Dane O'Neill and wasn't able to use a good position on the rails to his advantage. Trapped for room when coming off the final bend, the writing was on the wall for his supporters, although he did run on well when the gaps appeared late in the day. The form of that race has a good look about it and the four-year-old, now the ride of Paul Hanagan who returns from suspension, is expected to show improvement. My Freedom is two wins from four starts on the all-weather (albeit at Lingfield and Wolverhampton) and can improve on his sixth-placed finish on the opening night of the Carnival last month, while Eastern Rules ran well in the aforementioned handicap contested by the selection last week and he's another for the shortlist.
My Freedom wasn't seen to best effect on his return and is worth another chance given the strength of his form when beating Solar Deity at Wolverhampton in October. He can get the better of the in-form Alnashmy with Tamarkuz another to consider, the latter clearly well fancied last week and he should be a lot sharper for that run.
Autumn Lily is very hard to predict and although she could only manage fifth in the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial on the Tapeta three weeks ago, she was far from disgraced behind her impressive stablemate Wedding Ring and cannot be overlooked reverting to turf. In a trial which trainer Charlie Appleby would appear to hold all the aces, though, it could be significant that Mickael Barzalona, who preferred Wedding Ring in the Guineas Trial, chooses to ride PRETEND. That would suggest that the twice-raced Invincible Spirit colt is really pleasing connections in his work at home and he was mightily impressive when running out a seven-length winner of a Kempton maiden over this distance in November last year. Figure Of Speech and Journeyman are other interesting contenders.
Pretend looks the obvious one here, scoring comfortably at Kempton when last seen and he looks open to plenty of improvement so should be hard to beat. Autumn Lily may turn out to be his biggest danger despite disappointing on her return whilst He's No Saint has more potential than most, also representing last year's winning connections.
A fascinating renewal in which Mensoora, Christophe Soumillon's pick of the Mike De Kock trio, would have to improve on a lacklustre display in the Group 2 Cape Verdi last week. Ihtimal sets a very good standard for Saeed bin Suroor based on a juvenile campaign which consisted of victories in the Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes and Group 2 May Hill Stakes before her third-placed finish in the Group 1 Shadwell Fillies' Mile. Unraced on a synthetic surface and arriving without a previous run, however, she could be worth taking on with the race-fit, and sole course winner, WEDDING RING. Although Charlie Appleby's charge finished just over three lengths behind Ihtimal in the aforementioned Sweet Solera last year, she clearly improved towards the back end of her juvenile campaign (winning two valuable sales races at Newmarket) and there was enough in her UAE 1000 Guineas Trial success three weeks ago to suggest she's a much stronger filly this year, and one that should thrive going up to 1m. Her win last week was also proof that she acts on the Tapeta surface and she had the reopposing Magrooma, Letterfromamerica, More Aspen, Magroora and Oxsana behind.
This is no penalty kick for Ihtimal but she does look the class act and should take plenty of beating given the level of form she showed as a juvenile. Magrooma has been shunned by Christophe Soumillon but can still give the selection most to do given the promise of her return whilst Letterfromamerica could sneak a place with this trip sure to suit.
Excellent Result looked a smart stayer in the making when fourth on his return to action in a similar turf handicap over 1m4f here a fortnight ago and although he was no match for Certerach (winner) that day, he's entitled to reverse the form going up in distance at the revised weights. STAR EMPIRE, last year's winner, could be the one to latch on to, though. Mike De Kock's charge had Michael Halford's recent scorer back in third when landing this corresponding handicap under a similar weight 12 months ago and he went on to finish a close fifth in the Dubai Gold Cup on World Cup night.
Certerach had a few of these behind when winning last time but he will have his work cut out to confirm form with Star Empire who stayed on strongly and will appreciate this longer trip, so he gets the nod. Excellent Result was another to shape well in that same race and he is feared most whilst Balladry could be one to consider at a bigger price.
Shuruq was the first filly to beat the colts in the first round of the Al Maktoum Challenge here on the opening night of the Carnival and although she was no match for Certify in the Group 2 Cape Verdi last week, connections of Empire Storm (second) will have garnered plenty of encouragement from his effort and the son of Storming Home is well worth another look. 2011 Hong Kong Vase winner Dunaden was last seen finishing third at Sha Tin in last year's renewal and the French raider brings a touch of class to proceedings. Battle Of Marengo, fourth in last year's Epsom Derby, is interesting getting weight-for-age and has his first start for Ernst Oertel since leaving Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle stable, while Zahee goes up in class on the back of his victory in a Tapeta handicap last week and Eastern Rules (third) and Tamarkuz (fifth) may have offered that form a boost earlier on this card. Preference, however, is for AFRICAN STORY. The relatively lightly-raced Pivotal gelding won the Godolphin Mile here in 2012 and, on just his first try over 1m2f here last year, Saeed bin Suroor's seven-year-old finished a very respectable fifth behind Animal Kingdom in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup. That is arguably the best form on offer, he clearly acts on Tapeta and boasts a good record when fresh.
A fascinating contest with several putting their Dubai World Cup credentials on the line, even at this early stage. The vote goes to African Story who loves it on this surface and didn't seem inconvenienced by the trip when fifth to Animal Kingdom the last time he raced. Hunter's Light seems the obvious danger whilst a more prominent showing from Heavy Metal wouldn't surprise.
Many will look to the unexposed quantity that is El Estruendoso, whose second to Gabrial over further here a fortnight ago brings him right into the reckoning, and the son of Giant's Causeway represents the potent Mike De Kock/Christophe Soumillon combination. The value in the market may just lie elsewhere, though, and a chance is taken on MUFARRH. Second in the Dubai Creek Mile here on his return to action in December before finishing a fair eighth in the first round of the Al Maktoum Challenge on the opening night of the Carnival, the seven-year-old ran well to finish fourth over a trip (7f) that doesn't necessarily bring out the best in him last week and he remains well treated off his current mark going back up to 1m for this handicap. Also noted are Gold Pearl and Chil The Kite.
An open finale that can go Chil The Kite who was much better than the bare result on his reappearance and could slip under the radar given that unflattering form figure. El Estruendoso has been knocking on the door and shouldn't be far away again with this drop in trip in his favour whilst Ocean Tempest should be fit after a couple of pipe-openers and is much better drawn today.
