Meydan 17 January 2025
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Af Tharwaty is a progressive mare who has to be respected following her victory at Al Ain in November. That said, a wide draw here will not help her chances and preference is for NAAYIF. The five-year-old got off the mark over 7f at Al Ain two starts ago and showed plenty of promise when second on his handicap debut over an extended mile at Sharjah earlier in the month. The drop in trip should suit him here and he could be hard to catch if taking full advantage of a good draw. Also well berthed is Ar Amira, who made a winning debut at Sharjah recently and looks to have a bright future, although her lack of experience could prove to be costly in this company.
With the rail out 10 metres on the turf track this evening, it could be hard to make up ground late on and that should help TAMRAT's chances. The four-year-old was a prominent racer when trained in Ireland by Ger Lyons and was last seen finishing second over a mile at Dundalk in October. He was subsequently purchased for 90,000gns and, having been gelded, it would be no surprise to see him make a winning debut for Simon and Ed Crisford. Emperor's Star has to be of interest given his connections and his pedigree suggests that he should relish this step up in trip. The Ice Phoenix was picked up for 215,000gns out of Charlie Hills' stable in October and is another with strong form claims.
Charlie Appleby's lightly-raced EMPEROR'S STAR made an encouraging return from a long absence when sixth here recently and can take a sizeable step forward now his stamina is unlocked more. Mount Kosciuszko figures on a handy mark and is next on the list ahead of The Ice Phoenix and Tamrat who both need considering starting out with new yards.
Wild Tiger sets the standard based on his Royal Hunt Cup success last year, but he was twice a beaten favourite here last season and can be taken on following a 212-day break. Bold Style is another with strong claims on the pick of his form but he failed to fire when last seen and doesn't look particularly well handicapped. As a result, a chance can be taken with MONAADAH, who remains lightly raced as a six-year-old. Bhupat Seemar's gelding is only 2lb higher than when making all over a mile at Abu Dhabi in November and he should not be underestimated from a good draw. Echo Point has a similar profile to the selection and merits consideration, while Changing Colours and Al Salt are others to note.
WILD TIGER was firmly on the up when last seen in 2024, winning the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot on quick ground, and he can get the 4-timer up on his return. Echo Point and Mountbatten are a couple of the other likely contenders.
In a moderate event marginal preference is for GAMEKEEPER, who may be able to get to the front early on despite a wider than ideal draw. The drop to 6f proved to be too sharp last week but this son of Blue Point had won and placed second (beaten a nose) in two starts over 7f here prior to that. Stamina has to be a slight concern now but Mickael Barzalona is a master at dominating these type of events from the front. Homespin is handicapped to go well based on his C&D third last February and a turf spin in November should have put him spot on for this. Ranchero could surprise a few and merits each-way consideration. The draw is a big worry for Welcome Dream but he should not be discounted, while Theatre Honours is noted on his dirt debut.
WELCOME DREAM took his form to a whole new level when an easy winner over 6f here last month, and with the prospect of even more to come for this yard, he can follow up. Classic City also produced a career best at Jebel Ali recently so he's a threat from stall 3, with Dukedom another to consider given he's well worth a go at this trip.
Haasim is the obvious starting point following his third in a competitive handicap over 7f here last week. However, he's not one that can be fully trusted given his string of placed efforts and the vote goes to FALCON OF ARABIA. Bhupat Seemar's colt has shown a decent level of form on dirt this season and, given he is closely related to some smart turf performers in the US, he could find this more suitable. That early dirt pace should help the four-year-old to secure a good early position, which can be crucial on this fast straight track. Al Arbed has good form over C&D and should not be underestimated, while Mawthog may improve now switched to the grass.
HAASIM continues to operate somewhere near current peak and seems likely to take the beating. Falcon Of Arabia could provide the main threat, while the unexposed Arabic Art also has claims.
FLAMA SUNSHINE took a big step forwards when able to make all in the Shahama Stakes over 7f last month and it would be no surprise to see her repeat that performance from stall three here. Queen Azteca was an eye-catching second on that occasion and is likely to be in the mix once again, although it is hard to see her reversing the form. Ruby Hamilton has had excuses for two underwhelming efforts to date and a much-improved display should not be discounted. Arigatou Gozaimasu beat the selection on debut, but she was able to dominate from the rail draw that day and her effort against the colts two weeks ago suggests that she may be vulnerable from a wider gate.
Several on these finished behind FLAMA SUNSHINE over 7f here 4 weeks ago and with further improvement on the cards, Bhupat Seemar's filly can double her career tally. Arigatou Gozaimasu found the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial too much on just her second start, but she's fancied to get back on track in this company. Queen Azteca can get the better of Mistysea for minor honours.
It is hard to oppose ROMANTIC STYLE, who beat Ramatuelle and Tamfana in the Prix Imprudence last April and was subsequently a close fourth in the French 1000 Guineas. Her subsequent defeat in the Prix Jean Prat can be forgiven and the daughter of Night Of Thunder can add to Charlie Appleby's fine recent record in this event. The main danger may be Choisya based on her Listed success on fast ground at Haydock last year, although Ziggy's Dream could make the frame based on the pick of her form.
One of the races that Charlie Appleby has dominated and ROMANTIC STYLE, who wasn't beaten far in the French 1000 Guineas last year, is hard to get away from. Choisya is feared most.
The three most interesting prospects in this competitive event have the widest draws. Castlewarden is arguably the most noteworthy being a full-brother to connections' Dubai World Cup winner Laurel River and having shown plenty of ability for Brad Cox in the US. Olzhakhan was a local Group 1 winner in Kazakhstan last year and has a similar profile to Kabirkhan, who Doug Watson did so well with last season. El Nasseeb is unbeaten in two starts over 6f and has to be noted, but the vote goes to THAWBAN. Michael Costa's five-year-old should have an ideal trip from the rail draw and remains unexposed after just six starts. The step up in trip may bring about some improvement given his pedigree and he could benefit the most from the make up of this contest.
MAGIC PETITION has just the one win to his name and faces some unexposed rivals but the handicapper has given him a major chance. He's therefore awarded the tentative vote in favour of El Nasseeb and Olzhakhan.
The unexposed THYER may be the best handicapped horse in this field as he beat some useful performers in a pair of novice events in the UK. He was not disgraced when last seen at Ascot in October, although soft ground may not have been ideal for him. Delorean should not be underestimated on his return to turf having placed off a 2lb higher mark over a mile at Abu Dhabi two starts ago. First View was second in a similar event here when last seen in March, but he is not the most reliable and has a poor overall record in the UAE. Others to note are Desert Snake, Sense Of Wisdom and Shamran.
MAGNUM OPUS was a shade underwhelming on his most recent outing, but he shaped notably well at Southwell the time before and is well worth another chance based on the promise of that run. First View has gone well fresh before and could do so again, with Sudden Ambush another to consider judged on the pick of his form.
