Dubai World Cup Carnival Night 9

R2: Meydan Classic – Listed – 1600m(8F) – Turf

5 Good Fortune – 11 Golden Jaguar – 1 Irish Trilogy

Tricky field without a clear standout in this race. Good Fortune was a solid winner last out over seven furlongs at Meydan for Godolphin. Very likely the blue dominance continues here, though I am slightly wary of his lack of a run between the Dubai Trophy and now. Golden Jaguar was hyper impressive in his first two starts, winning up the hill at Jebel Ali then taking the Meydan Classic Trial with a wide trip and impressive turn of foot in his last start. Round out with Irish Trilogy, who came out of the same Golden Jaguar race and was coming on strong at the end.

R3: Handicap – 1600m(8F) – Dirt

8 Bochart – 3 Mystique Moon - 6 Thegreatcollection

I have the slightest inkling that speed will be king on the dirt tonight at Meydan. Unfortunately there isn’t much to look at in this field, and Bochart’s last two runs have not been his best. He faded in his last attempt and missed the start two back. He breaks from gate 10 here and will hopefully be able to get inside and set his on fractions, which would be ideal. Mystique Moon is the other speedy horse in the race for trainer Doug Watson, and though he last ran at Jebel Ali it was a very nice race, crossing the wire in front by 5.5 lengths. Thegreatcollection has run second in his last two starts, both times to Capezzano. He typically sits mid-pack and launches a run in the stretch.

R4: G3 Nad al Sheba Trophy – 2810m(14F) – Turf

7 Brundtland - 5 Suspicious Mind – 1 Ispolini

Brundtland returns to the races for the first time since the end of October for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin. Last year he was first in two G3s over the 1m4f to 1m7f in France, and a listed race over a mile and a half as well. He seems to be a really promising stayer for Appleby and his the top pick of the Godolphin horses here. Suspicious Mind ran a solid second to Ispolini in his last start, and one can’t help but root for a Denmark-bred to upset the sea of blue. Round out with the aforementioned Ispolini, who has been very on form here in Dubai.

R5: Listed Curlin Handicap – 2000m(10F) – Dirt

3 Dolkong – 4 Saltarin Dubai – 1 Galvanize

The Korean Dolkong is my top selection here. He was a good third in his last start to Saltarin Dubai, and he’s been training well at Meydan. Saltarin Dubai of course is next up, his speed will be key here. Round out with Galvanize for Doug Watson who has been running against the dominant Capezzano and should get a bit of a break here. He also runs forwardly placed, which is ideal.

R6: Handicap – 1400m(7F) – Turf

2 Mubtasim – 10 On the Warpath – 8 Wasim

Mubtasim was a very impressive winner in his last start, first time in the blue, when setting the pace and scoring over the same trip. If he replicates that effort, he should best this field. However, Buick hops off of Mubtasim in favor of On the Warpath, who has been on the board in his last three starts, but hasn’t found the winner’s circle since 2017. He’s been running on strong in his last couple of starts, and cuts back a furlong to return to this sprint distance. Wasim was second in a listed race at Abu Dhabi a couple of weeks ago, and the switch back to turf from the dirt seems to have suited him. I think he will get up to hit the board here.

R7: Handicap – 2000m(10F) – Turf

4 Baroot – 9 Desert Fire – 14 Peri Lina

Baroot has run very well in his last two starts, flying at the end to nab third one back. He adds another furlong in distance, which will likely suit his late-running style. He may get there just in time for the wire. Desert Fire was no match for Nordic Lights in his last start, but returns here to the distance of his most recent victory under Pat Cosgrave. He’s a versatile horse and may be able to dictate the pace here, if his stablemate Mountain Hunter is not doing so already. Peri Lina, Turkish favorite, was a good third in her last start, the G2 Balanchine Stakes. This is a big ask of her, but if she breaks well she’s worth a shot in gate 2.  

Dubai World Cup Carnival - Night 8

R1: Handicap – 1400m(7F) – Dirt

8 Bochart – 4 – Nine Below Zero - 12 Moqarrab

Bochart had a rough race one back when completely taken out of his normal running style, on the lead, by stumbling at the start. Assuming he breaks well today he will likely go straight to the lead and have the chance to redeem himself. Nine Below Zero steps up in trip here but will benefit from the inside draw and was only beaten 2.5 lengths in his last start, running on well. Shadwell’s Moqarrab breaks wide in gate 12 here but contests dirt for the first time. The lightly raced son of Speightstown should take to the surface and chase the leaders, and his hardest challenge will be being primed off the layoff, having not run since September of last year.

R2: Handicap – 1200m(6F) – Turf

4 Legendary Lunch – 6 Dream Today – 5 Ekhtiyaar

Trainer Fawzi Nass has seen success sprinting at Meydan this season with the likes of Mazzini, and Legendary Lunch looks primed to fire today. He won his last start in a listed race over a furlong longer at Abu Dhabi, and he’s been in the money three times already this season. Dream Today ran well to finish third to Mazzini in his last start, beaten only four lengths after winning his debut at Meydan on January 1^st. Complete the trio with Ekhtiyaar for Shadwell and Doug Watson, who rana good third of fourteen on his Dubai debut at the beginning of January, and Jim Crowley returns to the irons.

R3: G3 – Dubai Millennium Stakes – 2000m(10F) – Turf

6 Oasis Charm – 7 Team Talk – 3 Spotify

Strong chance this race will be won by Godolphin.

R4: G3 – UAE Oaks – 1900m(9.5F) – Dirt

4 Divine Image – 10 Silva – 7 Starry Eyes

Goes without saying that Divine Image was the most impressive horse in her last start. Completely missing the break, she spotted the field 10 lengths and absolutely flew home to run second. She gets a clean break this time and the others are toast. Distance shouldn’t be too much of an issue with her. Silva was a super impressive winner of the UAE 1000 Guineas when smashing the field by 9.75 lengths, but the outside draw and the chance that Divine Image will break clean makes her a second choice for me, as well as being a daughter of sprinter supreme Kodiac.  Close with Starry Eyes, the daughter of Animal Kingdom who was fifth to Silva in her last start, and will likely relish the increase in distance.

R5: G2 Zabeel Mile – 1600m(8F) – Turf

6 Wootton – 8 Century Dream – 7 Marinaresco

Wootton tackles Meydan for the first time with new conditioner Charlie Appleby after a successful 2018 season that saw him a G3 winner and G1 placed. He’s in off a layoff which will be tough but if Charlie has him right, he relishes the distance and should prove a formidable opponent here. Century Dream runs for Simon Crisford after a 2018 season that also saw him a G3 winner and G1 placed, including most recently in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in October to champion Roaring Lion. He may need this start. Round out with South African warrior Marinaesco, who was last seen running ninth beaten just 5.5 lengths after a year off, including the lengthy isolation process of shipping out of South Africa.

R6: Handicap – 1600m(8F) - Turf

7 Above n Beyond – 14 Completion - 13 Bedouin’s Story

A murky race here with no clear winner – going with Above N Beyond who ran well in his last start to finish second by 1.5L. Next up, Completion tackles Dubai for the first time for Charlie Appleby, being a decent handicap horse abroad. He breaks from the seven hole and will likely race up front. Finally, Bedouin’s Story, who was fourth in that same race but ran on well to be beaten just 2.5L. Big concern with him is that he breaks from gate 14.

Dubai World Cup Carnival - Night 7

R2: G2 Meydan Sprint – 1000m(5F) – Turf

1 Blue Point – 5 Faatinah – 2 Portamento

Hard to imagine the G1 winner Blue Point losing tonight after a layoff since running third at York in the Nunthorpe.He was an emphatic winner of the G1 King’s Stand at Royal Ascot this past summer over the distance, and he was second in this race last year when losing by a head to Ertijaal. He is just a grade above the rest here. Faatinah has had two solid runs here in Dubai, and was beaten just 1.75L in his last start to the very good sprinter Mazzini. He looks to run well again here. Round out with Portamento for Ali Al Rayhi who is cutting back in distance to 1000m after a few tries at 1400m. If he breaks well and is forwardly placed he will likely be able to hold on to show.  

R3: G3 Firebreak Stakes – 1600m(8F) – Dirt

5 Kimbear – 1 Heavy Metal – 6 Janoobi

Kimbear, though beaten nine lengths by North America last out, is a very solid horse. After Heavy Metal’s poor race last out, it would be nice to imagine that Kimbear will have every opportunity to beat him if he breaks sharp enough under Pat Dobbs. Despite Heavy Metal’s oddly poor showing last start, if he rebounds here with a clean break from the one hole, he’ll be a very game horse. Round out with Mike de Kock’s Janoobi, who is a wildcard here, trying the dirt for the first time after a late entry into the race.

R4: Conditions – Meydan Trophy – 1900m(9.5F) – Turf

4 Art du Val – 5 Bila Shak – 11 Emma Point

Art du Val is a son of the highly talented No Nay Never, who has a win and a second from two starts thus far. He missed a victory in a listed race at Deauville by 1.5 lengths back in October and one can assume has has matured since then for Charlie Appleby. He will certainly be game here though he break a bit far outside in gate 10. Bila Shak, a son of Scat Daddy, was a good winner last out for Fawzi Nas going 1800m at Meydan. He has Oisin Murphy in the irons, who has been on fire, and will get a nice trip if he can avoid trouble breaking from the rail with a running style that suggests he will be away slowly. Round out with Emma Point who finally tries turf for the first time for Marco Botti. This is definitely the preferred surface if the pedigree is any indication, and she can be expected to improve after her last flogging on the dirt.

R5: G2 Balanchine Stakes – 1800m(9F) – Turf

 6 Poetic Charm – 3 Peri Lina – 5 Furia Cruzada

Poetic Charm returned in great shape when winning the G2 Cape Verdi in her last start here by four lengths. An easy victory for her, and in this small field she will likely remain on top. I’m going to give the Turkish Peri Lina another chance here, though she stretches out in distance which will be a challenge. She was quite the special horse in her home country and it would be lovely to see her put in a big effort here. Round out with Furia Cruzada who was third in the Cape Verdi and might replicate the effort here.

R6: Handicap – 1200m(6F) – Dirt

9 Lavaspin – 5 Victory Wave – 1 Good Curry

Lavaspin for Satish Seemar has been steadily rising through the ranks, with two consecutive victories. He breaks from gate 2 and likes to run on the lead, which will be very important here. It’ll be interesting to see Godolphin’s Victory Wave try dirt for the first time here. Not sure why the son of Distorted Humor out of an A P Indy mare has been selected for a sprint, as he would probably benefit from going a bit further, but the lack of pedigrees suited for dirt in this field might just give him an edge over the rest of them. Finally, Good Curry debuts at Meydan. The Turkish horse is another invader from the country who is a multiple G1 winner. It’s always interesting to see how the Turkish form translates to the dirt but as he hasn’t started since October he will be fresh here.

R7: Handicap – 2410m(12F) – Turf

4 Sharpalo – 1 Astronomer- 3 Zaman

Sharpalo has been on the edge of a victory in his past two starts, flying late to get beaten just a neck over the distance on the 24^th of January. This is his opportunity in a weaker field to win, and he’s set up well to do it with a nice gate. Astronomer wasn’t his best in his last start, his first time for De Kock since transferring from Ballydoyle, but he is coming right and if he goes straight to the lead or near it he should run well. He’s one paced but if that pace is in front, he is very competitive. The outside draw may hinder his chances. Round out with Godolphin’s Zaman who was third over 2000m when running here two weeks ago, beaten just ¾ of a length. He stretches out here and was second at the distance in a listed race in France back in September.

Dubai World Cup Carnival - Night 6

R1  – Maiden – 1400m(7F) – Dirt

7 Midnight Sands – 9 Town Bee – 8 Tabarak

A non-Carnival maiden to start the racing tonight. Going with Midnight Sants in the opener. Midnight Sands is a son of Speightstown trained by Doug Watson. He has raced three times in Europe, and up to his last race at Doncaster in July he was in training with James Given. Good news is he runs on the lead which is preferable on this track. Next up I’ll take the other Doug Watson trainee Town Bee, who had a lackluster debut at Meydan on the 5^th of January. A full brother to winner of the G1 Met Mile Bee Jersey, he has the pedigree for this. He will just have to show more than he did in his last start. Round out with Tabarak, a son of Quality Road who was eighth beaten 4.75 last week to impressive winner Golden Jaguar. He likely needed the start, look for him to improve here, and he will obviously take to the surface change to dirt.

R2 – Handicap – 3200m(16F) – Turf

6 Dubhe – 5 Speedo Boy – 1 Red Galileo

A short field for a long distance in the second at Meydan. Going with Dubhe, a son of Dubawi for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby. Though he hasn’t contested this distance thus far, he does seem to be capable of it, and though beaten well in his Meydan debut a couple of weeks ago, he was coming in off of a seven month break, so he likely needed one to get fit. Take Speedo Boy next, the occasional hurdler whom has won twice and finished second twice from four tries at the distance. He too ran a lackluster race when going 2810m at Meydan three weeks ago, but as he has been successful over the distance in the past, no doubt he can handle it. I’ll round out with Red Galileo, who has been rather disappointing in his Meydan career, but does have two showings from three starts at the distance and gets the expert hands of Soumillon guiding him, in a race that should be quite tactical.

R3 – G3 – UAE 2000 Guineas – 1600m(8F)

6 Moshaher – 5 Walking Thunder – 1 Estihdaaf

Attempting to turn the tables on the highly impressive Walking Thunder, by taking the Doug Watson trained Moshaher in the UAE 2000 Guineas. This son of Goldencents was incredibly impressive when winning on debut on the 5^th of January at Meydan, and seems to be very talented. I’ll take Walking Thunder in second who has won his three starts by a cumulative 18.75 lengths and is certainly the one to beat here. Round out with Godolphin’s Estihdaaf who ran a good second in his last start over 1900m. I’m afraid he is going too short here and would prefer the UAE Derby distance instead.

R4 – Handicap – 1800m(9F) – Turf

3 Baroot – 4 Nordic Lights – 7 Walk in the Sun

Going against the Godolphin grain and selected Baroot on top. He ran a deceptively good race last week at Meydan when running on well to finish just 5.5L off the winner in a 1600m handicap. The step up in trip should suit him here. I had Nordic Lights on top in hist last race when he faded to second after setting the pace throughout, and I still think he is capable of a solid run here. He drops back ever so slightly in distance and Buick returns to the irons. To show I have Phoenix Thoroughbred’s Walk in the Sun, a lightly raced son of Street Sense who has been running in stakes company since Royal Ascot when he was sixth to Expert Eye.

R5 – G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 – 1900m(9.5F) – Dirt

6 North America – 7 Cosmo Charlie – 5 New Trails

I was really tempted to pick Cosmo Charlie in R2 of the Al Maktoum Challenge. He has won his last two races at Meydan easily, annexing the listed Entisar Stakes last out by 7.25L. However, this is a step up in class for him may be too much, and he won’t be able to utilize his speed effectively as North America break inside of him from gate 6, Cosmo from gate 7, and that inside draw will likely allow North America to take the lead. Luckily for owner Ramzan Kadyrov, president of Chechnya, he owns both of those horses. Fill the trifecta out with New Trails, also a very impressive winner in his last start when taking a handicap at Meydan by 10.5 lengths. Prior to that he ran second to Cosmo Charlie in the Entisar.

R6 – TB – Handicap – 1200m(6F) -Turf

11 Alfredo Arcano – 7 Mazzini – 2 Intisaab

I lack any profound thoughts on this race. A good few of the horses here came out of a blanket finish in a handicap over the distance on January 10^th, Alfredo Arcano being one of them and losing by a neck. HE’s getting a little bit of weight from the others, so perhaps that may give him an edge here. Mazzini was a good winner in his last start on the 24^th, and is coming in off three consecutive victories, all by a neck. Round out with Intisaab, who was well beaten in a G2 here on the 24^th stepping up a furlong in trip, and returns to his ideal distance here. Prior to that race he was in the money four consecutive times.

R7 – Handicap – 1400m(7F) – Turf

2 Alfolk – 8 Race Day – 10 Good Effort

Mike de Kock trainee Alfolk steps up in distance from 5F to 7F here, and though he has never contested it, his breeding certainly suggests he should adapt to it. The son of Lohnro has yet to realize his South African form as graded stakes winner here in Dubai, but when he reclaims it he should at the least be competitive at this handicap level, and the step up in trip may do the trick. Next up is Race Day, who was nabbed just before the wire in his last start here to fellow Godolphin trainee Desert Fire. He drops a furlong in this race which should help him.  Finally, I’ll take Good Effort, who was disappointing in his Meydan debut but a useful horse in England this past year, placing in a listed stakes over the distance at Newbury in September.