MEYDAN RACECOURSE SUPER THURSDAY LATEST TIPS AND SELECTIONS

We have six stellar races set to kick-off on March 4th at the beautiful Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. Today is effectively prep-day for the 2010 Dubai World Cup on March 27th and there will be plenty of first-rate runners looking to stake their claim here today. There are a number of exciting betting opportunities available and we’ll be taking a look at some of the top selections here.
In the 3:35 Al Bastakiya, we’re set for a 1m1f110y dash around the Tapeta surface that will see the season debut of the highly-rated Godolphin charge Vale Of York (Invincible Spirit). Saeed Bin Suroor’s 3 year-old bay is famous for being the only horse to top 2010 Kentucky Derby contender Lookin At Lucky (Smart Strike). He was a real feather in my cap during the Breeders Cup and I credit that outstanding run to quality training and the move to Lasix for the first time. He’ll be coming out of the 8 stall with Ahmed Ajtebi aboard and the expected absence of UAE 2000 Guineas hero Musir (Redoute’s Choice) makes him an even better tip. I’ve also got my eye on the mysterious Landowner (Sharmardal), owned by Sheikh Al Maktoum, who ships in from down the road in Abu Dhabi. He’s got a solid record and it will be interesting to see how he handles the surface. Frankie Dettori takes the reigns on Mendip (Harlan’s Holiday) and the undefeated colt is looking to build on his conditions victory from a few weeks back. I think Vale of York should grind this one out if he gets the right type of trip from Ajtebi. I am interested in Della Barba (Della Francesca) for the bottom slots on the exotics.
The 4:15 Mahab Al Shimaal is a 6f dash on the Tapeta surface with a few interesting contenders available. I like the talented War Artist (Orpen), who scored in the Al Shindagha Sprint back on February 11th and he seems to handle the surface well. He beat out the even-money favourite Gayego by going up another gear over the last furlong or so. If he can repeat that performance, he’ll be a tough one to tackle here. The wildcard here is Desert Party (Street Cry), whose last run was a disappointing 14th in the 2009 Kentucky Derby. He’s been laid off since then and is taking a step down in trip here. He’s got plenty of success at the shorter distances, capturing stakes wins at Saratoga and Nad Al Sheba at 6f and 7f. Godolphin know what they’re doing and I think the trip adjustment has to be respected. Additionally, he is a half-brother to American superfilly Zenyatta, so I can see some action coming in based on that. Force Freeze (Forest Camp) looks the best of the rest.
I expect some solid competition for the 4:50 Burj Nahaar which is a 1m spin around the Tapeta with Godolphin sending out two quality runners both looking for another win on the bounce. I expect the lightly-raced Skysurfers (E Dubai) to be a contender here as he steps up off the conditions circuit to challenge at Group 3 level. He ran a real blinder on February 19th and will be looking to build on that one. Frankie Dettori gets the trip once again. Beauchamp Viceroy (Compton Admiral) is an interesting one who looks the progressive sort. He finished second his last time out and came down the last 2f with some very solid pace. I think if he can get a near repeat of that trip he could be worth a bet if he goes off at a value price. The other Godolphin contender is the quite-solid Calming Influence (King’s Best) who is the one who actually topped Beauchamp Viceroy in the Muhtathir. He’ll be looking to mount another late charge here and if he doesn’t come up against any logjams mid-pack, should be able to mount a challenge. Al Arab (Redattore) and Soneva (Cherokee Run) are both interesting runners worth a second look.
The 5:35 sees the running of the Dubai City of Gold, a Group 2 event on the turf. It’s a proper route race at 1m4f and I think Anmar (Rahy) could be set to make another score for the Blue Team here. He took the Ford Edge Trophy on February 5th with some very solid late pace. I have also been keeping my eye on the talented Halicarnassus (Cape Cross) and I’m going to be looking at him if he’s going off on a solid price. He’s got course and distance here and that needs to be respected. Mike De Kock’s King of Rome (Montjeu) is 212 at Meydan this year and is yet to have a spin on the turf yet. I think that’s an interesting option to move him over there and he could be the wildcard.
The 3rd Round of the Al Maktoum Challenge runs at 6:10 on the Tapeta. This Group 2 encounter boasts a number of highly-rated runners, not the least of which is Japanese superstar mare Vodka (Tanino Gimlet) who scored in the Grade 1 Japan Cup at Tokyo. I expect some stiff competition from the extremely talented 7 year-old Gloria De Campeao (Impression) who staked his claim for the Dubai World Cup in the 1st round of the Al Maktoum Challenge. His final furlong performance there was something special and if he can get a similar trip could be set to do some damage. I don’t expect him to be nearly as highly-priced as he was that day, a 12/1 winner, but against this quality field could be a good play if going off on the right price. I think he’s a great bet for the place. Godolphin sends out Allybar (King’s Best) and Cavalryman (Halling) for this one and the latter of which boasts a third place finish to the legendary Sea the Stars in the 2009 Arc De Triomphe. This will be his first run out of France and you need to respect Godolphin’s decision to rest him for this long.
The final race of the day is the 6:45 Jebel Hatta, a Group 2 turf race going 1m1f. This one is setting up to be a duel between the Godolphin charge Alexandros (Kingmambo) and Previs (Sakhee). Alexandros was my tip in the Group 3 Al Rashidiya and, though coming out as the 7/4 favourite, ran on well in the last 2 furlongs and shattered the competition. Previs was bested by 2/7 favourite Allybar in the Al Tayer Motors Trophy. He’s got good references though and has done a bit of successful globetrotting. I think he’s an improver and the step down in trip should be helpful.
Keep in mind that there is a chance we could see a Godolphin sweep with Vale of York x Desert Party x Skysurfers x Anmar x Cavalryman/Allybar x Alexandros. What a parlay that would be!