Meydan Racecourse Preview for February 17

After a supremely eventful day at the races last week in Dubai, we’ve got plenty more action and excitement set to unfold on Thursday as the Dubai Racing Carnival will see another chapter written.

Most of the more intriguing races will be unfolding on the turf with the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort Stakes set to feature along with leg 2 of the Meydan Masters and a listed contest for staying types going 1m6f.

2:25

There’s a lot to like about this grassy 1m2f handicap and the fact that we only have to navigate an eight-horse field makes it even more appealing. Emmrooz (Red Ransom) ships in from Jebel Ali and gets back on the turf for the first time in two years. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum has the talented, though underperforming, Enak (Orpen) set to line up in this one and he’s been knocking on the door for a while and switches back to Dettori.

3:05

Globetrotting sprinter J J The Jet Plane (Jet Master) is set for a seasonal debut after a high-profile score at Sha Tin in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint. He’s scored in Dubai before, though it was on the old surface at Nad Al Sheba. There are few contenders on the planet who flash more quality at 6f so punters can expect him at a very short price. William Buick gets Alo Pura (Anabaa) and the pair combined for a score at Meydan the last time they were paired up, back in mid-December in a conditions race.

3:40

Quick Wit (Oasis Dream) will certainly take some money here based on a very high-quality run of form that was only undone earlier in the month in a handicap contest on his Meydan debut. He was headed on the final few gallops and he should be able to capitalize against a field that suits him a bit more. Haatheq had looked appealing last time out and gets an intriguing pilot in Calvin Borel. Let’s see if the American can unleash another improbable rail run about as far away from Churchill Downs as one can get.

4:15

Definitely one of the most interesting races on the card at Meydan, this grassy staying contest sees some talented long-distance types set to go 1m6f. Mike De Kock’s Star Empire (Second Empire) will be taking some serious money here and you can expect him to mix it up with Bergo (Silvano) who is set for a seasonal debut and may need the race. Godolphin have two here and Opinion Poll (Halling) looks the selection if you plan to back the blue team.

4:55

The CBD World Mastercard serves as the second leg of the Meydan Masters jockey tournament and a cadre of impressive pilots are set to take the reigns in this one. The fact that several will be a little out of their element here adds some extra spice to the contest. From a form standpoint, try Prizefighting (Smart Strike) or Logic Way (Freud) as they have both been there-or-thereabouts in the past few. The wildcard is going to be Gerald Mosse aboard our old friend Halicarnassus (Cape Cross) and you can expect him to go off at an enticing price.

5:35

All sorts of quality here as a number of the contenders in this one boast prior scores at Meydan during this meet. Snaafy (Kingmambo) is one of the outsiders but comes in fresh off a victory at Jebel Ali. Derbaas (Seeking The Gold) will likely be the key player and could go off at a particularly short price in this one. He looks a class apart at Meydan this year and has taken all three of his efforts with three different jockeys at Meydan since November. Richard Hills retains the mount after the pair scored in a handicap contest last time out. A step up to Grade 2 level is not out of the question considering the quality he’s flashed in the past few tries and he looks to have come into his own as a five year-old with tactical speed to spare.

6:10

It’s time to jump back aboard Swop (Shinko Forest) in the nightcap in Dubai and, while he hasn’t won for nearly two years, this one looks to be shaping up for him. His last victory came to him at Nad Al Sheba at 7.5f in a turf handicap at this level. He gets nearly a stone on the top-weight and will be a pricey threat with a clean trip. Montmorency (Pivotal) and Mahubo (National Emblem) look plausible as well.