Dubai World Cup
At 0h28, on March 25, 2022 • By NEWSROOM
FIRST RACE 7:45 SÉLECTIONS : 15 – 8 – 6
Win, Place, Show, Exacta, OMNI (Swinger), Quinella, Double, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pick 3
1 Mile 2 Furlongs (Dirt) Dubai Kahayla Classic (Arabian Group 1) (Dirt) Purse : $271,500
Hadi De Carrere produced a fine effort to land the Arabian Classic Cup at Riyadh, when having the likes of RB RICH LYKE ME (third) and Deryan (fourth) in behind, but the five-year-old could prove vulnerable on his debut at this track. With that in mind, Fawzi Nass’ entire has the credentials to reverse the form, having won Round 1 of the Al Maktoum Challenge here in January.
SECOND RACE 8:20 SÉLECTIONS : 1 – 12 – 15
Win, Place, Show, Exacta, OMNI (Swinger), Quinella, Double, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pick 3
1 Mile (Dirt) Godolphin Mile (Groupe 2) (Dirt) Purse : $1,000,000
AL NEFUD has taken a considerable step forward since leaving the UK having won his first two efforts here on the dirt. The son of Dubawi then recorded a career-best performance, when chasing home leading World Cup fancy Hot Rod Charlie in Round 2 of the Al Maktoum Challenge, and he appears capable of further progression on this surface. Secret Ambition was a runaway winner of this contest 12 months ago and commands plenty of respect dropping in class, having contested the Saudi Cup last month, while the improving Storm Damage is a threat to all if handling the surface.
THIRD RACE 8:55 SÉLECTIONS : 12 – 9 – 3
Win, Place, Show, Exacta, OMNI (Swinger), Quinella, Double, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pick 3
2 Miles (Turf) Dubai Gold Cup (Groupe 2) (Turf) Purse : $1,000,000
The unbeaten MANOBO remains a hugely exciting individual having progressed through the ranks. Charlie Appleby’s gelding got the better of Derby and St Leger runner-up Mojo Star on his debut at Newbury, before ending last year with victory in the Prix Chaudenay at Longchamp on Arc weekend. His return to action in the Nad Al Sheba over 1m6f last month was a fine advert for his ability, with his trainer suggesting he could easily drop back in trip for the Sheema Classic, and victory here would set him up for a big European campaign. Stay Foolish landed a valuable prize at Riyadh last month when benefiting from a fine ride from Christophe Lemaire on the front end. He could prove dangerous if adopting similar tactics, while the fourth from that contest, Baron Samedi, is likely to appreciate a more galloping track.
FOURTH RACE 9:35 SÉLECTIONS : 10 – 4 – 16
Win, Place, Show, Exacta, OMNI (Swinger), Quinella, Double, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pick 3, Pick 6
6 Furlongs (Turf) Al Quoz Sprint (Groupe 1) (Turf) Purse : $1,500,000
Creative Force began his three-year-old campaign in handicap company at Newmarket rated 89 and ended the year with victory at the highest level on Champions Day at Ascot. He displayed his versatility throughout last season, winning on different types of ground, but this may prove to be a sharp enough test for his return to action. Preference, therefore, goes to his stable companion MAN OF PROMISE, the choice of William Buick, who now looks the finished article based on his two C&D victories this year. The five-year-old showed a devastating turn of foot to win the Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint earlier in the month and he bids to become the third horse to do this particular double for connections, following on from Jungle Cat (2018) and Blue Point (2019). Suesa announced herself as a top-class sprinter at Goodwood and was unlucky to be on the wrong part of the track when fourth in the Nunthorpe. She is capable of being in the mix along with A Case Of You, winner of the Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp.
FIFTH RACE 10:10 SÉLECTIONS : 13 – 11 – 6
Win, Place, Show, Exacta, OMNI (Swinger), Quinella, Double, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pick 3
1 Mile 1 Furlong (Dirt) Derby des Émirats Arabes Unis (Groupe 2) (Dirt) Purse : $1,000,000
Pinehurst fought off the opposition to land the Saudi Derby on his latest start with SEKIFU beaten by half a length into second. However, the latter has the potential to turn that form around over a longer trip, especially given the manner in which he stayed on from an unpromising position. Combustion is a fascinating contender from Japan and has to be considered, being closely matched with the selection, while Azure Coast and Irwin are others worth considering.
SIXTH RACE 10:45 SÉLECTIONS : 2 – 3 – 10
Win, Place, Show, Exacta, OMNI (Swinger), Quinella, Double, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pick 3, Pick 4
6 Furlongs (Dirt) Dubai Golden Shaheen (Groupe 1) (Dirt) Purse : $2,000,000
SCHIVEL was just denied success at the Breeders’ Cup when beaten a nose in the Dirt Sprint by Aloha West at Del Mar, before an effort that is worth forgiving at Santa Anita on Boxing Day when having no chance against Flightline. The four-year-old, twice a winner at Grade 1 level in the US, sets the standard for his rivals to beat, with Drain The Clock, Red Le Zele and Meraas appearing best of the remainder
SEVENTH RACE 11:20 SÉLECTIONS : 12 – 8 – 9
Win, Place, Show, Exacta, OMNI (Swinger), Quinella, Double, Trifecta, Superfecta, Pick 3
1 Mile 1 Furlong (Turf) Dubai Turf (Groupe 1) (Turf) Purse : $5,000,000
Lord North won this prize 12 months ago in comfortable fashion before missing the rest of the year. John and Thady Gosden’s gelding returned with a satisfactory display when runner-up to Sheema Classic-bound Alenquer in the Winter Derby at Lingfield, but he will need to be at his very best in what appears to be a stronger renewal. The vote, therefore, goes to SCHNELL MEISTER, who stayed on well when second to Gran Algeria in the Mile Championship at Hanshin in November. The step back up in trip promises to bring about further improvement from the son of Kingman. Mohaafeth won’t be inconvenienced by the drop back in trip on his first run since finishing fourth in the Juddmonte International at York, while others to note include Sun Chariot heroine Saffron Beach and Colonel Liam.
EIGHT RACE 11:55 SÉLECTIONS : 9 – 14 – 12
Win, Place, Show, Exacta, OMNI (Swinger), Quinella, Double, Trifecta, Superfecta
1 Mile 4 Furlongs (Turf) Dubai Sheema Classic (Groupe 1) (Turf) Purse : $6,000,000
Following his Great Voltigeur success at York in August, Yibir showcased his globetrotting abilities when taking the Jockey Club Derby at Belmont before producing his best performance to date in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar. The four-year-old commands plenty of respect on his first run of the season, but a chance is taken with ALENQUER. William Haggas’ colt displayed a solid level of form last season, most notably when runner-up to Mishriff in the Juddmonte International, and he was impressive when breaking the course record in the Winter Derby at Lingfield on his return from a break. The step back up to 1m4f, on a galloping track, gives him every chance of bagging a first Group 1 success. His stable companion Dubai Honour improved at a rate of knots, winning a brace of Group races in France before filling the runner-up spot in the Champion Stakes, but needs to prove his stamina, while the strong challenge from Japan is headed by Shahryar, winner of the Japanese Derby, and Glory Vase, who beat Pyledriver in the Hong Kong Vase in December.
NINTH RACE 12:30 SÉLECTIONS : 7 – 5 – 3
Win, Place, Show, Exacta, OMNI (Swinger), Quinella, Trifecta, Superfecta
1 Mile 2 Furlongs (Dirt) Coupe du monde de Dubaï (Groupe 1) (Dirt) Purse : $12,000,000
LIFE IS GOOD sets a very high standard based on his last couple of victories in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar and the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream in January. The manner in which he outclassed the opposition, especially Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Knicks Go in the latter contest, suggests the four-year-old will be a tough nut to crack. Hot Rod Charlie was a comfortable winner on his first run here in Round 2 of the Al Maktoum Challenge and has to warrant the utmost respect with connections expecting him to improve from that effort, while Country Grammer (second) and Midnight Bourbon (third) are both of interest on their recent meeting in the Saudi Cup.
