Qatar International Invitation Cup Betting Preview

The action is well under way at Dohar Racecourse in Qatar and a talented cadre of turfists are set to contest this grassy 1m4f contest. There’s a lot to like about this group and it appears as though the key race for many of the field was the H.H. Heir Apparent Trophy, which ran over the same course at a 1m3f distance back in late January. The talented Irish-bred Qatar Derby-winner Beethoven (Oratorio) won on the day and many in this lot will be looking to rebound here.

Beethoven returns to defend his unbeaten Qatar record and he’ll have the venerable Seb Sanders in the irons once again. Expect him to go off at a very short price as the gamble appears to be who completes the exacta if Beethoven runs to potential once again.

Miss Starlight (Trade Fair) has finished behind Beethoven in her last two in Qatar with a place finish in the aforementioned Heir Apparent Trophy and, prior to that, a show effort in the Qatar Derby. Three runs over the course at-or-about this distance gives you some confidence in her, but the simple fact is that the English-bred bay filly hasn’t beaten males since a handicap score back at Leicester last April. She’ll be running at the same weight in this contest but you just assume that she’ll need to flash career-best figures to make it to the winners’ circle.

Joshua Tree (Montjeu) is a talented globetrotting sort who made headlines last year when he took the Grade 1 Pattison Canadian International at Woodbine on his North American debut. A forgettable effort in the Grade 1 Japan Cup saw him ship to Qatar and run fourth to Beethoven in his Middle Eastern debut. All three of his career victories have involved him getting a really nice trip so he’s not the type that really makes something from nothing. If he gets a good trip from debut pilot De Vries, he could at least get up for a slice of this one.

Interesting local sort Febo Apolo (Edgy Diplomat) has done decently in the past over the Dohar course and he’ll be lining up here in Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Thani’s colours. Note thet De Vries has shifted off of him and opted for the proven Joshua Tree in this one.

Equipe De Nuit (Sulamani) ran in the UK until back in 2009 and the five year-old chestnut is now a full horse. Looking at his old figures, he looks up against it here but he could flourish in local conditions.

Dixie Music (Montjeu) ran a real stinker last time out in the key prep race here – a tame fifteenth of sixteen on the day. Prior to that, however, he had put in some quality shifts against some of the most talented European runners in his division. He ran second to Fame and Glory (Montjeu) in the Group 2 Keeneland Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh back in August of last year.