Dubai World Cup Day – Horse Racing from Meydan – 26 March 2022
Racing heads to Meydan for the 2022 Dubai World Cup night. Horses from all over the world gather to compete with the main chances coming from the UK, Japan, Hong Kong and of course Dubai. This is one of my favourite event days of the year. Dubai always provides quality racing and no bullshit. I love it. Good luck and enjoy the racing!
Best on Card
R4 Al Quoz Sprint – Man of Promise
R3 Dubai Gold Cup – Stay Foolish (favourite out market)
Best Longshots
R2 Godolphin Mile – Great Scot
R9 Dubai World Cup – Real World
Meydan Race 2 – 1600m – Godolphin Mile – Group 2
The Chances
Al Nefud: Ran to Timeform 133 winning two back then last start second in G2 ran 128 over 1900m (https://twitter.com/musallamqatan/status/1489638560659648516). Been up since December. Back to 1600m.
Algiers: Two runs this prep for 126 and 127. Has to improve again but won well last start in G3 company over 1600m.
Bankit: 13L winner at Belmont Park on Slow in May last year running 130. Last start ran 107.
Desert Wisdom: 1600m last start ran 128 winning in G3 company hugging the rail (https://twitter.com/AtTheRaces/status/1500082884291575813). Was $40s that day. Needs to run another career peak and improve again? Might get held up today.
Great Scot: On speed type. Has been consistent around the 129 to 131 timeform rating over this distance recently. G1 2nd last start behind Emblem Road (https://twitter.com/musallamqatan/status/1482390177779748866) who went on to win the G1 Saudi Cup next start also worth $20 mill!
Mubakker: G3 2nd last start at Meydan behind Desert Wisdom. Ran 130/131 on lead in and ran only 126 on the day. May be better over shorter distances.
Soliste Thunder: G3 winner in Japan over 1600m. Last start run 4th in G1 on Slow. Has to be respected and rating is 126+
Storm Damage: Ran 132 and 132 last two runs winning at course over 1400m. Query is the extra 200m on this surface switching from turf.
My Thoughts
There is speed for days in this race. Really think the ‘Embled Road’ Saudi form has Great Scot right in this and is a bet at the price.
Al Nefud is clearly the horse to beat back to 1600m here and I can’t let it go around a loser.
I’ll be on
Al Nefud
Great Scot
Meydan Race 3 – 3200m – Dubai Gold Cup – Group 2
The Chances
Manobo: 5.5L winner in G3 company over 2800m last start at Meydan (https://twitter.com/WorldRacing1/status/1494709991034531844). Previous start in October won a G2 at Longchamp over 3000m on soft. Timeform rating 135p. Last run was 130+. Clearly the one to beat. Trainer keen – https://twitter.com/AtTheRaces/status/1506594605420142601
Veloce Oro: 126 Timeform Rating three back at Hanshin in Japan when 6th in G1. Last start at Tokyo ran 5th over similar distance to this today in G3. Has the ability and could surprise all.
Stay Foolish: Looks the main contender to the favourite. G1 5th two back at Sha Tin in the Vase over 2400m. Went up to 3000m last start in the Red Sea Cup Group 3 in Saudi Aradia. Started $14 that day. Led them around. Won well (https://twitter.com/prixdelarc100e/status/1506418158219182081). Beat home Sonnyboyliston who was coming off a G1 win at The Curragh over 2800m the run prior.
My Thoughts
We are in for a ding dong battle. Stay Foolish will be leading at the top of the straight. Manobo will join and it will be a battle down the straight.
I’ll be on
Stay Foolish to win (favourite out market).
If you can’t find a favourite out market at your bookie then we would be saving on Manobo if betting.
Meydan Race 4 – Al Quoz Sprint – Group 1 – 1200m
The Chances
A Case of You: G1 winner over 1000m on soft. Respectable return last start at Meydan 2nd but beaten 5L. Has to improve.
Creative Force: 137+ to finish last prep at Ascot winning the G1 by over a length on softer ground. Beat home the likes of Glen Shiel, Art Power and Minzaal that day. Respect as main opposition to favourite.
Emaraaty Ana: G1 winner at Haydock three runs back. Failed to show any signs of life since after the 131/134 timeform runs. Was $5 last start in Saudi Aradia and ran near last.
Man of Promise: Massive 139 timeform rating last start coming off a 135. Destroyed a good field over the 1200m at course and distance (https://twitter.com/AtTheRaces/status/1500090802055299079). Looks the bet of the card.
Air De Valse: Beaten a head in G1 company at Longchamp behind A Case of You in October last year. Ran 135 timeform that day. Hasn’t broken 120 before or after that.
Happy Romance: Beaten 0.5L last start in the 1351 turf cup in Saudi Arabia behind Songline. Previously ran 134 timeform rating in the G1 Sprint Cup at Haydock when 4th to Emaraaty Ana. Has the ability.
Suesa: Stunned the world at Goodwood producing a 3L win back in July with a 139 timeform rating. Had previously ran 130+. Finished off the year with 128+ and 115. Ability yes. Consistency no.
My Thoughts
Creative Force looks the main danger to Man of Promise. Godolphin has a strangehold on this race. KEEN to bet up.
I’ll be on
Backing Man of Promise
Saving Creative Force
Meydan Race 5 – UAE Derby – Group 2
Not a race i’m keen to preview or get involved in. Too many moving parts and horses hard to line up.
Meydan Race 6 – Golden Shaheen – Group 1 – 1200m
The Chances
Dr. Schivel: Ignore last start run in December and rate on three previous runs where recorded G1 and G2 wins with 133, 138 and 137 timeform ratings. Very speedy horse.
Al Tariq: G3 winner three back. Timeform rating best of 131. Has to improve but is a contender
Drain The Clock: G1 winner at Belmont last year in July running 137 over 7F. Hasn’t gone better than 128 since in 4 runs.
Eastern World: Last start G3 winner at course and distance. Ran 132 Timeform. Has to be respected as a chance here.
Wonderwherecraigis: US type that has been consistent all prep. G3 winner. Has to be repsected to improve again.
Red Le Zele: 6th G1 over 8F last start. G1 placed over 6F with 129 Timeform rating over in Japan. Looks short in this price wise.
My Thoughts
Surprised to see Red Le Zele so short. Dr. Schivel is the one to clearly beat here. Others would need to improve or show their past from the past like Drain The Clock.
I’ll be on
Dr. Schivel 1 win 2 place ratio
Meydan Race 7 – Dubai Turf – Group 1 – 1800m
The Chances
Colonel Liam: Won a G1 last start at Gulfstream and then three back at Churchill Downs over this distance. Run to 134/134/134/132 4 of last 5 runs. Consistent data wise horse and will be right in this.
Lord North: G1 winner of this race last year. Only one run since then for a 2nd in G3 company at Lingfield in February. Last year ran 138, 135, 138 from 3 of last 5 runs. Certainly a top chance here.
Panthalassa: G2 winner over this distance in Japan on lead in. Failed previous run in G1 over further. G3 winner before that. Ran 133 Timeform so has to be considered on last start run if can improve again!
Schnell Meister: Favourite here coming off a 139 Timeform rating in November. Query being able to repeat that back up to 9f, first up today… but obviously a top horse. G1 winner over 8F in May last year running to 130 Timeform. Went to 133, 136 and 139 the next 3 runs.
Saffron Beach: Looks the knockout runner here. G1 winner last start at Newmarket and won a G3 prior to that both over 8f. Datawise query on the runner. Ran to 136 Timeform on that G1 win last year but on a softer surface and has not gone close to that rating outside of that run with 128 the next best!
My Thoughts
ALOT of unknowns here and many G1 winners. Several live chances. Yes the Japanese horse Schnell Meister deserves to be favourite but is well short here.
I’ll be on
Just Watching
Meydan Race 8 – Dubai Sheema Classic – Group 1 – 2400m
The Chances
Authority: Won the Neom Cup last start in G3 company. G1 previous start in November 2nd and won G2 before that. Run to 135, 136, 136 last 3 runs.
Glory Vase: Won well in G1 at Sha Tin last start. Was favourite on the day. Last 5 runs have been 137,134,138,136,138 ratings wise. Super consistent and in the right zone.
Hukum: G2 winner last start. Won G3 prior to that. Best rating run in past was on a Heavy with 138+. 136 stands up though here with best on Good surface. Will stay.
Pyledriver: Poor as favourite in the Neom Turf Cup last start. Look to previous runs in 2021 when a good 2nd at Sha Tin over 2400m running to 136. Can win but has to find form again.
Dubai Honour: Champion Stakes 2nd at Ascot in October over 2000m running to 137. Previously run 132-135. Query at distance.
Shahryar: G1 winner over this distance back in Japan in May last year. Ran 136+ that day. Last seen in November when 3rd running to 133.
Stella Veloce: Consistent G1 Japanese runnr. Ran 134, 132, 127, 136, 134 and has been close to getting G1 wins. Is a G2 winner. Handles all surfaces.
Yibir: Last November won a G1 at the Breeders Cup Turf in Del Mar. Ran 133 prior run and then 138+ this run. Has the ability on those two runs to win this.
My Thoughts
Wide open race. I have several runners that can win this. So if betting you want to take the odds runners. Yibir is super short when considering this fact. Authority and Hukum are the two mis-priced value runners.
I’ll be on
Authority & Hukum
Meydan Race 9 – Dubai World Cup – Group 1 – 2000m
Life is Good: Front runner which is a positive for these types of races. Normally winning over 8F to 9F so slight step up again. Last two runs ran to 141 and 140+ timeform rating which simply just wins this. Won last four races by 5.5L, 6L and 3.25L with last two being G1s. Price suggests very good and is!
Hot Rod Charlie: 5L G2 winner last start running to 137. Previously ran to this rating before at Monmouth Park last year in G1 company. Has run x2 135 also. Has the ratings to be considered as a contender. Will be just off the speed.
Country Grammer: Consistent type ran to 136 last three runs. Won a G1 in that time at Santa Anita. Close 2nd in the Saudi Cup behind Embled Road when first up. Will be on speed.
Midnight Bourbon: 3rd in the Saudi Cup. Ran 133-135 recently. Minor chance if can improve.
Real World: Turf form means he has to be considered. Ran poorly in the Saudi Cup. If we can forgive and rate on best in the past you give this horse a shake. If jumps better today won’t get as much kickback. Look to G2 win on turf here – https://twitter.com/AtTheRaces/status/1487116591137492997.
My Thoughts
This is Life Is Good’s race to lose. Very clear cut. If there is to be a horse that jumps out of the ground and shows something not expected, it has to be Real World who won 5 in a row on turf before failing last start after being slowly away in the Saudi Cup.
I’ll be on
Life Is Good
Real World