Ed Marnane
Christmas has come early for racefans with a cracking bumper nine-race card at Meydan on Friday, featuring a pair of Group 2s, the Al Maktoum Mile and the Al Rashidiya, and a superb undercard.
Former champion trainer Bhupat Seemar has his team firing on all cylinders and took the training honours at Meydan last Friday, saddling four of the nine winners. He holds a strong hand in the AED 1m (R4.5 million) Al Maktoum Mile and riding arrangements suggest Imperial Emperor is the pick of his eight runners under Tadhg O’Shea, the 12-time UAE champion.
Imperial Emperor thrived last season, racking up three wins at Meydan and earning a tilt at the Dubai World Cup. He struggled in the Group 1 event, never travelling in the early stages and was soundly beaten when finishing last of 11 behind shock winner Hit Show.
He had a valid excuse as he was found to be lame after the race.
Drawn nicely in stall No 5, he can easily bounce back off his seven-month break. The son of Dubawi has a smart record returning from a break and commands plenty of respect.
Richard Mullen rides Mendelssohn Bay, a wide margin winner on his comeback last month, for Seemar. He created a big impression that night and is a former UAE 2000 Guineas winner, over the same course and distance. He can’t be overlooked and makes plenty of appeal.
Last year’s winner, Meshtri, trained by Michael Costa, is back to defend his crown and is one for the shortlist. A confirmed front-runner, he has the benefit of a recent run and is ideally drawn near the rails to attack from the front.
US import Tumbarumba, the choice of James Doyle of the Wathnan Racing runners, is an interesting horse that is making his UAE debut. Formerly trained by Brian Lynch, he is the winner of seven of his 25 races and wasn’t beaten far in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, his latest start.
If he can bring that form to the Middle East, he merits consideration.
Charlie Appleby has a terrific record in the Al Rashidiya, the Group 2 showpiece on turf. Twelve months ago Measured Time gave the Godolphin handler his fifth win in six years when successfully defending his title, a feat no horse had achieved since the inaugural running in 2002.
William Buick has chosen to ride lightly raced and exciting Opera Ballo, one of three runners carrying Godolphin’s hopes. Winner of four of his six races since making his racecourse debut at Kempton in January, he makes his first start at Meydan off the back of a three-month break.
By Ghaiyyath, he pulls hard in his races and can over race. However, if he settles and can relax, he will take plenty of beating.
James Doyle and Appleby, who teamed up to win with the smart juvenile Devon Island last week, combine with course specialist Nations Pride, winner of three of his five races at Meydan.
Owned and bred by Godolphin, he should go well and can play a big part over a track he clearly likes.
Race 5, the Entisar Stakes, sees the eagerly awaited return of Walk Of Stars. Rated 116, he is the class act of the race and wasn’t beaten far in the Dubai World Cup in April. He has improved since connections switched to front-running tactics and he will be hard to catch if primed and ready off his 258-day break.
A field of 11 go to post for Race 3, the Dubai Dash. West Acre, trained by George Scott, should enjoy being back on turf after disappointing in a competitive handicap under a big weight on Tapeta at Southwell recently.
He progressed nicely last season, winning the Blue Point and Nad Al Sheba at Meydan and if he recaptures that form, he holds leading claims.
In a competitive race, Cover Up must enter calculations for the father and son training partnership, Simon and Ed Crisford. He has a decent record at Meydan and hails from a yard that has their horses in good order.
Of the rest, Rabaah can go well at decent odds switching to turf after two runs on dirt. He impressed on his local debut at Jebel Ali last month, powering clear in the closing stages when running out a comfortable winner in a fast time.
He endured a tough, wide trip in the Al Garhoud Sprint (Listed) and dropped away to finish fifth behind El Nasseeb, a performance that can be upgraded.
Racing ends with a 1200m conditions race for three-year-olds and South American-bred Donde Firmo can build on an encouraging run at Jebel Ali, his first start in the Emirates.
He shaped as if he would strip fitter for the run, having got tired in the closing stages, while the step back in distance is sure to suit this strong-travelling colt.
Ahmad bin Harmash’s Yuno makes most appeal in the Shahama Stakes, Race 3. The US-bred filly is held in high regard and impressed on her racecourse debut at this course last month.
She overcame trouble in running and a bump, and when finding room, she readily quickened clear of her five rivals. She has more to offer and can follow up in the hands of Connor Beasley.
BEST BET
Race 9 No 1 Don Firmo
VALUE BET
Race 4 No 7 Rabaah
BEST SWINGER
Race 3: 4-Yuno and 15-Tjareed
JACKPOT
(Races 6 to 9)
R64
Leg 1: 1, 6
Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 11
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 7
Leg 4: 1
This article was originally published on TAB and is reposted here with permission.
