2011 Dubai World Cup Runner by Runner Preview: Buena Vista

It’s hard to not play up the “a nation’s spirit ride on the back of a single horse” angle with Buena Vista (Special Week) lining up as a 10/1 shot for the Dubai World Cup. Representing the Hiroyoshi Matsuda barn, Buena Vista enters the race as the highest earner in the field with a massive £7,385,000 lifetime for the five year-old mare. There certainly isn’t much to cheer for in Japan right now and a scintillating performance on-track by the Japanese-bred superstarlet would certainly be a welcome distraction. It’s tough not to cheer for her.

A solid second in the 2010 Dubai Sheema Classic last year, that previous experience over the Tapeta at Meydan gives her a bit of extra credibility over some of the others in the field and her encouraging partnership with Christophe Soumillon will continue here.

Thanks to Zenyatta (Street Cry), it’s tough to bet against high-profile late-running females on synthetic surfaces. Look for Buena Vista to take a fair amount of money on the day, so if you’re planning to back her – jump on that 10/1 price currently on offer. I would not be surprised in the least to see the five year-old bay go off at 7/1.

One especially important angle is how sharp she has looked in recent works over the Tapeta surface at Meydan. While not being pushed especially hard during her prep for this one, a very solid workout on Wednesday morning saw her rifle off a wicked 5f with the final panel coming in 10.27. Thoroughbred Times pointed out that it’s believed to be the fastest final furlong clocking of the week.

There is a fair amount of early speed to take advantage of here and the priority for Buena Vista looks to be avoiding traffic trouble. Look for a rail-hugging trip or a charge up the middle of the racecourse from Soumillon.

This mare has plenty of upside and, at only five years of age, will still be improving. A wager on Buena Vista gets you the highest earner in the race, a 10/1 price and a fantastic story to be a part of. Not a bad deal at all.