It's this time of the year when Meydan really comes alive usually. Reason enough for me to look of what's on the tab on Thursday, when the The Dubai World Cup Carnival starts with a competitive card.
All eyes will be on the Al Maktoum Challenge, the Group 2 contest with a couple of interesting European runners in the line-up. It is a particularly intriguing contest because it is also the first Graded contest on the new Meydan Dirt surface. After a couple of minor meetings, it is fair to say that the surface needs still some time to bed in properly, that therefore the kickback is quite extreme and that horses up with the pace have a major advantage. That all can change with time, but surly are factors to keep in mind for the moment. How will the European runners perform on this surface? That's obviously a major question, and tomorrow surly gives us a first taste of what is to come.
Personally I'm not a fan of Dirt racing. Never been and never will. The Tapeta surface wasn't without it's issues, but I liked it as it gave the impression to be rather fair and save. Fair in that sense, that artificial surfaces often do favour prominent horses, but that it appeared to be the case at Meydan that horses could win from virtually anywhere. And that despite the way the track is shaped, which gives prominent runners naturally an advantage due to the short run-in. Anyway, that's the past and it remains to be seen how the dirt surface will perform, and if it does in fact attract large numbers of top class US horses - which was the main reason behind the change. it has to be stated that this is certainly not the case as of yet at least, as no US runner is entered on Thursday
5.40 Al Maktoum Challenge: Surfer proved to be very progressive in the last couple of years since he moved over to Dubai. He seemed to have a particular liking for the Tapeta surface, and his 3rd place in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 last March was a new career high. He was back after a break last month in a Listed contest, when trying to take to the Dirt for the first time. He tracked the pace and travelled beautifully and was then able to go by the long time leader inside the final furlong when it really mattered eventually. He is expected to improve from this run and as we've seen the surface is no issue at all, so he'll be hard to beat starting from pole position I feel.
I find it hard to make a case for Outstrip. I suspect that the dirt will be a big problem for him first time out and while he ran with credit behind Kingman last season, his two other performances were abysmal. I just find it hard to support him for a short price. He has to show something tomorrow before I'd ever back him again. De Kock's horses are always interesting, I feel that they may benefit from this run tomorrow though and might be of much more interest the next time. For a bigger price, Zambucca could be interesting with the recent start under his belt. He was a very good horse in South Africa and didn't do too badly in Meydan either. He lost his way over in the UK but could be interesting if going forward with positive tactics tomorrow. Capital Attraction loved it here around Meydan on the old Tapeta. If he can bring his A-game to the dirt after a break, he'll be a big runner too.
5.05 Singspiel Stakes: This race evolves around True Story. Once thought to be a potential Derby winner, yet his star faded almost as quickly as it emerged last summer. Gelded and fresh after a break, connections must hope he'll find back to his best under the warm Dubai sun. I admit he has a good chance to score tomorrow if the mentioned things rejuvenate him. However he is not a price to get involved in. That says True Story is clearly is talented, and a big performance would be great to see from him. Mushreq is a very good horse, he proved that with a couple of nice performances last season in particular. He was recently beaten over 11f at Abu Dhabi. Drop in trip will suit but he's short enough in the betting and may found one or two too strong in this grade.
Be Ready looked very promising as a 2yo but had clearly some bad injury problems last year. Remains to be seen whether he has retained some of his ability. De Kock's Sanshaawes is a very exciting runner if fully wound up after a break. He won a couple of Handicaps here last year and finished a fine runner-up on the Tapeta track in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3. Two lesser efforts in very hot company may be forgiven and the drop in grade will surly help to see him competitive. He is a very attractive price and my choice in this race.
5pts Surfer @ 9/2 PP
5pts Sanshaawes @ 5/1 PP
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