Meydan 08 March 2014
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RAAZIQ has some rock solid recent form to his name and looks the most solid option with Peslier taking over in the saddle. The consistent Versac Py and Af Lafeh head the list of dangers.
Saeed bin Suroor landed this corresponding race with Secret Number 12 months ago and EMIRATES FLYER boasts sound claims in a bid to give the Godolphin handler back-to-back wins in the race. A two-length second to the well-touted Kingman in the Solario at Sandown as a juvenile, the son of Acclamation advertised his 2,000 Guineas aspirations when beating Safety Check here in the trial in January and he went on to run a blinder behind the impressive Long John in the aforementioned Group 3 last month. He's No Saint is feared most following his ready success in the Meydan Classic Trial latest, while Full Combat is another to take seriously.
The weakest race on the card and it could easily go to a maiden in the form of Asmar who is progressively learning what the game is all about and should relish this longer trip. He's No Saint is going the right way and is feared despite his latest win not working out that well with Full Combat expected to put a poor run behind him, the promise of his reappearance still fresh in the memory.
Meydan sprinting sensation SHEA SHEA makes his eagerly anticipated return to Dubai for the race he beat Sole Power in 12 months ago and Mike De Kock's charge is hard to oppose. The National Emblem gelding confirmed his superiority over Edward Lynam's inmate when justifying favouritism in the Al Quoz Sprint on World Cup night last season and although his old rival reversed the form in the King's Stand at Royal Ascot, he got his revenge, albeit when finishing runner-up, in the Nunthorpe at York last August and the Emirati venue appears to bring out the best in him. Prix De L'abbaye second Catcall is entitled to strip fitter for his reappearance in a C&D handicap 16 days ago and he adds further spice to an already intriguing sprint.
Shea Shea and Sole Power have been hard to split, and there is a chance both will need the run, but the former seems that bit more reliable and he is taken to follow up his success in the race from 12 months ago. Sole Power can still get involved whilst Dux Scholar could be one to look out for at a bigger price having returned to form last week, and is probably best at this sort of trip nowadays.
Soft Falling Rain maintained his 100% record at last year's Meydan carnival, scoring in all three of his starts including the 2,000 Guineas and Godolphin Mile on World Cup night. Mike De Kock's charge was found out somewhat when sent to Newbury for his first UK start as he was no match for Gregorian in the Group 2 Hungerford. He did manage to get his head in front at Newmarket the time after, but he ran well below his best in the QEII at Ascot last time out and is hard to get overly excited about on the back of that performance. Russian Soul warrants the utmost respect having beat the reopposing Jamesie, Balmont Mast, Tamaathul and United Color over C&D last time out, but REYNALDOTHEWIZARD, last year's Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen hero, is preferred and should be fitter for his seasonal reappearance here in January.
It wouldn't be a surprise if Soft Falling Rain proves too good for these but bigger targets will lie ahead and it could be worth giving United Color another chance. He was badly hampered last time and his wide draw may actually be a blessing given the way he won on his penultimate start. Russian Soul has been in great form in the sprints this year and should be involved again.
Eastern Rules has improved markedly since finishing behind Zahee on his Meydan debut in January and two impressive performances in handicaps since make the Irish raider a real player in this Group 3. Shuruq was the first filly to have beat the boys in round one of the Al Maktoum Challenge two starts ago and she warrants close consideration, but VARIETY CLUB is 14 wins from 18 starts and Joey Ramsden's charge won the Firebreak over C&D with consummate ease on his Meydan bow last month.
This looks a gilt-edged opportunity for Variety Club who took very well to the surface when winning on his reappearance and this race is no stronger, so it will be disappointing if he is beaten. Zahee probably wasn't seen to best effect when going for home too soon last time and he can chase the selection home with Eastern Rules feared given his rate of progression this season.
Battle Of Marengo is interesting on his first start for David Simcock and last year's Epsom Derby fourth is expected to better a lacklustre effort in round two of the Al Maktoum Challenge here last month. The step up in distance is sure to suit, but his draw in stall 16 is far from ideal. Excellent Result looks a smart stayer in the making and he gained the scalp of Star Empire, second in the Nad Al Sheba Trophy last week, in a handicap over 1m6f last month, but stablemate SONGCRAFT gets the verdict following a taking reappearance 23 days ago. Saeed bin Suroor's charge beat the reopposing Meandre, Sheikhzayedroad and Dabadiyan in a C&D handicap that night and can go on with that confidence-boosting win under his belt.
Quite an open race with several of these graduating from lesser races at the Carnival. Mount Athos is the class act but invariably comes with risks attached and it could be worth risking Empoli who shaped well over 10f last time and this trip will be much more to his liking. Penglai Pavilion is respected despite reservations over stable form and ground whilst Mount Athos can still grab a place.
Kieren Fallon rode his fellow jockeys to sleep when Prince Bishop defied odds of 14-1 to score in round two of the Al Maktoum Challenge last month, but AFRICAN STORY (second) is fancied reverse the form. The stablemate was running on all too late in the day on his return from a 313-day absence that night, but Saeed bin Suroor's charge was definitely the one to take from the race and last year's Dubai World Cup fifth scored in the Burj Nahaar on this card 12 months ago. Hong Kong Cup fifth Side Glance is closely matched with the selection on a line through last year's World Cup form and he's a big player, while Cat O'Mountain shaped like a serious World Cup contender when he scored on his Meydan debut in January and Charlie Appleby's charge is better than his latest effort in a C&D handicap suggested.
African Story really should have beaten Prince Bishop last time and he looks the obvious one here now that any stamina fears have been put to bed. He simply loves this surface and can get the better of Sanshaawes, whose best days remain ahead of him, and Side Glance who is developing a good record on his travels and showed his liking for these conditions when fourth in the World Cup last year.
L'amour De Ma Vie is thrown in against the boys having gained the scalp of Certify in the Group 2 Balanchine over C&D 16 days ago and she's expected to go well at a generous price. Vancouverite brings some good French form to the table and is also interesting on his debut for Charlie Appleby, while the unbeaten Vercingetorix wasn't extended to win a track and trip handicap on his first Meydan start for Mike De Kock last time. TRADE STORM could be the one to latch on to, though, following an eye-catching performance in defeat here nine days ago. In what wasn't Jamie Spencer's finest hour, the David Simcock-trained six-year-old was left with way too much to do in the Zabeel Mile, the race he won in 2013, but the extra furlong is sure to suit and he had Mushreq behind that night.
Vercingetorix is on an upward curve and he can make it 6 wins from 6 starts having only done just enough upon hitting the front on his return. He is sure to improve fitness-wise for that run and is narrowly preferred to Trade Storm, who loves it here and is coming to the boil nicely, and L'Amour De Ma Vie who didn't get the credit she deserved for beating Flotilla and Certify last time.
