Tag: UAE Derby

Dubai World Cup – Ante-Post Update

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Last week we recommended Epiphaneia as the each-way bet at 8-1 for the Dubai World Cup at Meydan on Saturday. That is still the best price available with California Chrome holding steady at around 6-4 despite being drawn out wide.

Unless California Chrome puts on a show, there is a danger that the big race will not live up to its billing. It certainly does not look the strongest renewal but the same cannot be said for the rest of the card.

There are five Group 1 races and three Group 2 races but only the Sheema Classic and the World Cup are televised by Channel 4. SKY viewers can watch all eight races live and it promises to be an entertaining card.

Tamarkuz is confidently expected to win the Godolphin Mile under Paul Hanagan after being drawn on the inside of the 16 runners. His main danger may come from Surfer but he is drawn widest of all and will do well to reach the frame from there.

The Dubai Gold Cup features the popular Brown Panther for the Michael Owen/Tom Dascombe partnership. He blotted his copybook by running away with his rider before the start at Woodbine but will be ponied to the start on Saturday. Ahzeemah was runner-up to the ill-fated Cavalryman here a year ago but ran inexplicably badly last time.

The UAE Derby should go the way of Mike de Kock’s Mubtaahij who looked as if he would have won the 2000 Guineas with another few strides. He is taken to gain revenge on Maftool over this slightly longer trip.

There are two big sprints and both will take a lot of sorting out. Sole Power needs everything to go right in the Al Quoz while Secret Circle and Rich Tapestry give the Americans a very strong hand in the Dubai Golden Shaheen. Solow is expected to win the Dubai Turf for France at the expense of The Grey Gatsby who surely won’t be 100% for his first race of the season.

The Dubai Sheema Classic is arguably the best race of the night. Main Sequence has been a revelation since joining Graham Motion in America. He renews rivalry with Breeders’ Cup victim Flintshire who had a recent pipe-opener in France. Harp Star, given too much to do in the Arc, and Dolniya add depth to the field along with the progressive Designs In Rome.

Tamarkuz @6-4 Godolphin Mile Bet365

Mubtaahij @11-4 UAE Derby Bet365

Solow @9-4 Dubai Turf Betfair

UAE Derby Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

There is a strong supporting card for the Dubai World Cup this year and one horse that I am really looking forward to seeing is Long John. He takes his chance in the UAE Derby having already bolted up in the UAE 2000 Guineas recently.

He ran in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed last year in Australia but is now in the blue of Godolphin as he attempts to make a name for himself in Europe this season. If his first run for Charlie Appleby is anything to go by, he is certainly an exciting prospect for races of a mile and beyond.

The son of Street Cry stormed clear to slam Emirates Flyer by four and a half lengths. He won the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas over a mile in Australia but finished down the field in the Cox Plate on his final start. He has a reputation for being particularly lazy at home and Appleby was warned not to expect too much. Whatever his attitude is at home, there was no doubting the manner of his victory last time and I am in no hurry to oppose the gelding.

However, he does have a serious rival here in Aidan O’Brien’s Giovanni Boldini. He looked destined to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf when Ryan Moore drove him ahead at Santa Anita but he was foiled by a late dash from Godolphin’s Outstrip. The winner is very useful and ties in closely with Toormore who is among the 2000 Guineas favourites at Newmarket.

Toormore had Giovanni Boldini back in third place in the National Stakes at the Curragh earlier in the season but there is little doubt that he improved at the Breeders’ Cup. He holds some classic entries and must be feared despite being low on O’Brien’s batting order for the Newmarket Guineas.

Asmar trounced Emirates Flyer by six lengths in a Listed race here, breaking his maiden in the process. If Emirates Flyer gave his true running, Asmar must also be in with a shot. It isn’t often that you see a colt go from a median auction at Wolverhampton to taking on classic colts but that is the case with Jamie Osborne’s Toast Of New York. It is true that he has won his last two starts by an aggregate of 28 lengths but this still looks a huge step up in class.

Safety Check disappointed me last time and appeared not to get home while Sir John Hawkins and Jallota have had plenty of chances.

Long John UAE Derby at 9-4 Betfair SB