2010 UAE OAKS AND TIPS FOR MEYDAN RACECOURSE ON FEBRUARY 25

We’ve got Meydan back on track tomorrow and the highlight of the day is the running of the UAE Oaks where 8 quality fillies look set to contest a 1m1f dash around the Tapeta. There is also a Group 3 race for fillies and mares along with the usual assortment of high-class conditions races and handicaps.
The opening race of the day at 2:35 is a tough-looking handicap for a field of 18 going 1m3f. Stand-outs for me include Al Muhairi-trained Marinous (Numerous) who will be enjoying his debut at Meydan after some promising runs in France. He likes the distance and it will be interesting to see how he deals with the surface. I’ve also got my eye on Kal Berg (Medicean) who will be teaming up with William Buick in this one. He scored on his Meydan debut before a 4th place finish last time out. I think he has very good late pace and, if he gets a solid run over the last 1.5f, he could be the one to beat.
There’s only one entry in the 2nd race from Godolphin, the 5 year-old Aichi (Strategic) who will be lining up with Ahmed Ajtebi aboard. I advise you to stay away from him because he came into Meydan with all sorts of form, but has been a complete bust so far with a 9th place finish and a dead-last performance in his last outing. I’m leaning towards the talented Escape Route (Elusive Quality) who bested the accomplished Swop (Shinko Forest) last time out in a 7f dash. I think that he could be the one to opt for as I don’t see the margin of victory being very high. His ability to close could be key.
In the 3:50 at Meydan, we’ve got a 1m2f spin around the Tapeta with a small-ish field of 9. Mike De Kock’s South African gelding Mr Brock (Fort Wood) could be the pick with some solid form over the distance. He scored on his Meydan debut and then was just pipped inside the final furlong by Allybar to finish 4th last time out. I think against a field that lacks a stand-out contender, he could be the punters choice.
The UAE Oaks is the 4:25 with a solid £154,000 up for grabs here. There is a very good line-up set to contest this one and Mike De Kock’s Raihana (Elusive Quality) will be teaming up once again with Christophe Soumillon. The pair were upset by 50/1 Siyaadh (Shamardal) after being sent off as the even-money favourite in the UAE 1000 Guineas. I think he could get back to winning ways here, but the step-up in distance is cause for concern. If he can handle the two turns properly then I think he’s worth a bet, but I wouldn’t take him on a very short price. His old nemesis Siyaadah is set to run in this one as well and you likely won’t find nearly as short a price on him here. Ahmed Ajtebi knows what he’s doing and he could be Raihana’s bogey horse. I’m also tempted to check out Mensajera De La Luz (Election Day) who I had tipped in the UAE 1000 Guineas as a contender, but he got a nightmare trip and I think the extra furlong could play to his strengths. At a value price, I think he’s a solid bet.
The 5:00 is a massive 18-strong handicap and this one is more orless anyone’s guess. Midshipman (Unbridled’s Song) is back again and I’ve simply been screwed over too many times by this horse to back him again. He just doesn’t seem to be able to get the job done, but the step down in quality may help. I think Swift Gift (Cadeux Genereux) is a solid selection, he finished 2nd last time out and could have been a bigger contender if the winner hadn’t run such a blockbuster race. Godolphin’s Asset (Marju) is likely the pick for the Blue Team.
In the 5:45 Group 3 Balanchine for fillies 3 years old and up, I’ve got my eye on Godolphin’s Aspectoflove (Danetime) who will have Frankie Dettori on the mount. He came 2nd in a Group 3 at Meydan back on February 5th and I think he just went a bit too wide in that one. The smaller field will work for him and I also think the distance plays to his strengths. Have a go on Deem (Dalakhani) if you’re looking to bet against Godolphin here.
The 6:20 looks to be a duel between two of Saeed Bin Suroor’s charges. Top-weighted Age of Reason (Halling) showed some turf acumen when he scored in a handicap back on February 4th. The other main contender is the talented Whispering Gallery (Daylami) who beat the talented Halicarnassus when sent off at 9/1 in the Mustanfar in late January. I think both of them will be shorter-priced but I expect them to be the main contenders.
The 6:55 Imax Cup is a 1m dash on the Tapeta with another big field of 18 ready to go here. Royston Ffrench and Jet Express (Jet Master) will be looking to get things back on track after a disappointing run in round 2 of the Al Maktoum Challenge last week. I think the step down in distance helps and the absence of any major contenders is also a plus for the South African-bred gelding. Swop (Shinko Forest) looks to be progressive and will be looking to score here. You may also opt for Ahmed Ajtebi on top of Liberation (Refuse to Bend) who will likely be a solid value bet.