Meydan Week 6

Godolphin are out in full force in Week 6 of the Carnival and it will not be surprising if they win the bulk of the races. Some leading contenders for the Dubai World Cup will be in action, so the Thursday meeting is going be give some good indication of their progress towards World Cup night.

Race 1 is for Arabian pure-breds and I must admit I know nothing about them except that they are much more difficult to train than thorougbreds!

Race 2, 1m3f Handicap. Indications are that this race will go to Godolphin, unless Jamr decides otherwise. The Blue team have leading duo Holberg and Spring of Fame to count on and I think the winner will come out of these 2. Holberg has serious form from last year and is coming back after a year layoff. He might need the run. Spring of Fame came a good second to Prince Bishop about 3 weeks ago, and should improve on that run. My preference goes to Spring of Fame as a Place. Mr Brock always gives a good account of himself but the age and distance will play against him. Should be at good odds to be laid against for layers.

Race 3, 2000 Guineas. An open contest which should go to either a Godolphin colt or Mike de Kock's Mickdaam. Let me say here that Dark Matter from Singapore is possibly the best horse in the race and has beaten many of the same opponents before. However, he has run an extra race since he beat all these and is bound to lack some freshness as a result. He's a current lay at his current odds of 4/1. Of the Godolphin representatives, I like Kinglet the most and the way he finished his last race means that the distance will suit him perfectly. I recommend him as an each-way.

Race 4, 1m4f Handicap. This is quite an open contest and I will be interested to follow Irish Flame, who was one of last year's main disappointments from the de Kock stable. Word is that he's in much better shape now than last year, but he'll have to show it on the track first. If he's fit and at his best, he should be in the first 3, but that's not certain. Too open to call.

Race 5, 1m Group 3. Bold Silvano makes his comeback in this mile race. He's bound not to be 100% for this race after coming from such a layoff and with his main aim being World Cup night. Still, if he's serious about the World Cup, he has to show he's still got ability against some useful sorts in that race. My recommendation is an each-way on him.

Race 6, 1m1f Group 2. The main race of the card and one main prep for the DWC. This is going to be a hot contest and it won't escape the grasp of either de Kock or Godolphin again. Dubai Prince is without doubt top-notch but there are many questions regarding him. He's a lightly-raced colt that has been beset with injuries. His odds look way too short. I think Mendip and Master of Hounds will run well. They have the benefit of a run a month ago and will have the necessary improvement in them. Prince Bishop has been impressive in his win 3 weeks ago and could be involved in the placings. My selection would be a Win couple on Master of Hounds and Mendip, and that should provide cover if one of them wins.

Race 7, 1m1f Handicap. Mutahadee was impressive on his last win and should at least be in the placings. I have him as a Place.

Win: Master of Hounds/Mendip

Place: Spring of Fame, Mutahadee

Each-way: Kinglet, Bold Silvano.

Meydan Week 3

Hats off to Barcelona; they have Madrid and Mourinho in their pocket in direct encounters. They know how to beat them whether it is on the road or at home. It's a lesson learned not to go against Guardiola's men when they are up against their fierce rivals these days.

Let's focus on racing at Meydan where, touch wood, the selections have been pretty good and very satisfying for the initial couple of weeks. Godolphin are out in force this week and it would not surprise me that they rack up the bulk of the races.

The first race certainly gives them a great chance to strike with their double entry of Club Oceanic and Measuring Time. The 11-furlong distance should suit both horses and I see recommend them as an each-way couple. It will pay if one of them wins.

Ditto for Godolphin for the second race. I like both Prince Bishop and Spring of Fame and I think one of them will win the race. Coupling them each-way is the recommendation as well.

The 12:10 Handicap in the 3rd race will go to either of the powerhouses of Godolphin (again) or Mike de Kock. Viscount Nelson comes from Ballydoyle and has solid European form. He should do well for de Kock and it remains to be seen how fit he is after a layoff. Same for his stablemate Mutahadee. The Blues are represented by the Emerald Commander who has good form behind him as well, and Sea Lord who came up an interesting 4th a fortnight ago. The winner will come from one of these 4 horses and it's a tough call choosing, so I'll abstain giving a recommendation here.

The 6-furlong Conditions fourth race is very much open, so there are no certainties there as well.

The Group 2 Cape Verdi Stakes looks weak and Mahbooba stands out. I just cannot see her out of the first 3. If she runs to form, she should win this. She is worth the confidence for a straight Win and that's the recommendation.

The Handicap in the last race looks open and I will pay particular attention to Disa Leader, the champion from Mauritius. The last champion from Mauritius to go to Dubai was Mr Brock and he certainly flew the flag high for the local fans there. Disa Leader is widely acknowledged to be even better than Mr Brock, so he carries serious form with him. If he's fit and takes to the left-handed track (Mauritius has a right-handed track), he should be in the placings. His odds suggest that he might be the value bet of the day as Place. Certainly worth a punt if the evening up to that point has been rewarding. Let's hope it is!


Win: Mahbooba
Each-way: Club Oceanic/Measuring Time
Place: Disa Leader