1m1f Dubai Turf sponsored by DP World (Group 1) (Turf) (3yo+)
As ever, the Japanese hold a strong hand and their Serifos looks really fast. Speed is crucial to win this race and there’s a fair few I’d rule out for wanting a bit further. At the prices I’m going to chance Godolphin’s REAL WORLD to return to form, as he has every right to be considered the best European horse in the race and it’s only the disappointing effort last time in a messy race that are negatives. He’s got the best draw of the Godolphin runners in stall 7 and should strip much fitter this time. It’s definitely not an each-way race but I am going to back two, and MASTER OF THE SEAS still isn’t fully exposed at this type of trip, having spend most his career running over a mile. He’s a strong traveler with lots of pace and should be tailor made for a race like this. Recent starts have been very encouraging and he was pretty unlucky last time out, traveling like the best horse in the race but getting shuffled back in the pack around half way. He’s an 11/1 poke and I’m having some of that.
1pt win Real World @8/1, 15:10 Meydan, Saturday
1pt win Master Of The Seas @11/1, 15:10 Meydan, Saturday
1m4f (1m4f11y) Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1) (Turf) (3yo+)
I suspect this one will go to Japan again and the favourite Equinox is clear on form. However the bet I like the most at the prices is Andre Fabre’s BOTANIK at 33/1 each-way. He’s everything you want in an each-way horse in that he puts himself up with the pace and stays well. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of him either because he rarely gets fast ground in his native France, but was second in the Hong Kong Vase late last year on firmer ground. Andre Fabre was aiming him at the Breeders’ Cup last season so he definitely rates this horse pretty highly, and given he races in the colours of Dubai’s Godolphin, you can bet he’s been primed for this after a nice enough prep race last time out. He’s got an excellent draw in stall 4 and will want to see a strong pace in this race to be seen to best effect, as he wasn’t stopping in Hong Kong and got done for a turn of foot off a slow pace.
1pt each-way Botanik @33/1, 16:00 Meydan, Saturday
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