Thursday @ Meydan - SAf interest

Golden Sword heads Dubai World Cup trial

Preview: UAE, Friday 6.55pm GMT

Meydan: conditions race 1m2f, AW, 4yo+

FRIDAY'S card concludes with a talent-laden conditions race (6.55pm) over the Dubai World Cup course and distance.


Golden Sword (De Kock/Soumillon) looked back to something like his very best in a Tapeta handicap at last week's meeting and his trainer may well be using this as a trial for the world's richest race.

Stable companion Mr Brock (Shea) was beaten less than three lengths in the 2010 World Cup and is weighted to reverse form with Bronze Cannon (Herman Brown/Ryan Moore), who beat him in a similar race last time.

Last year's Balanchine winner Deem (Jerry Barton/Olivier Peslier) switches to the Tapeta with connections eyeing the big one, along with Dubai Duty Free winner Al Shemali (Ali Rashid Al Raihe/Royston Ffrench).

What they say

Jailani Sidiqqi, assistant to Ali Rashid Al Raihe, trainer of Al Shemali

"We know he is a class performer on turf and we were delighted with his comeback in the Maktoum Challenge II. Hewill definitely have needed that and certainly looks up to Group class on the Tapeta. We really would like to have a crack at the World Cup with him and this is the logical next step."

Herman Brown, trainer of Bronze Cannon

"He has improved with each outing this season and hopefully there is more to come. Mr Brock, whom he beat last time, is a good yardstick. We hope to get a run on World Cup night with this horse so need another good run from him."

Mike de Kock, trainer of Golden Sword and Mr Brock

"Everybody knows Mr Brock is a really good, solid performer and he really improved for the Tapeta last season. He should go close to reversing the form from last time, while Golden Sword has been pleasing us all year. His first run over a mile was a good one and he won well last time. This is another step up but his very best form is top drawer and we hope he is coming back to something like that."

Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of Wealthy

"He needed that first run and has improved since. He is workingwell and should run a good race but it does look a good contest."

Olivier Peslier, jockey on Deem

"He could have run in the Balanchine which she won last year but we need to try her on the Tapeta in a race to see how she handles it. She has run on World Cup night the last two years on turf in the Sheema Classic and was an excellent fourth last year. A big run on Friday would give us more options this year and she certainly seems to handle the surface in the mornings."

Sylvester Wrote:

---

> Derbaas looks very good for me tonite

Well done.

Great run by War Artist with top weight.

I fancy this Cayman to run well here in the 4th. Here to Win is distance suited but will have to take her running well on Tapeta on faith?

Perhaps final drive is the swinger horse?

MDK says she likes the surface tommy

Can't come from that far back and win on the Tapeta?

Big Creek e/w

Race 1 - Turf 2000m - 100+ Handicap $175k
(1) Hunting Tower (SAf) - de Kock/Soumillon (58.5/108)
(6) Wonder Lawn (SAf) - de Kock/Shea (55.0/100)

Race 2 - AW 2200m - 100-110 Handicap $120k
(1) Star Empire (SAf) - de Kock/Soumillon (59.5/108)

Race 3 - AW 1200m - 95-105 Handicap $110k
(3) Atlantic Sport (USA) - de Kock/Shea (57.0/104)
(16) Clearly Silver (SAf) - de Kock/??? (55.5/100) ***RESERVE RUNNER***

Race 4 - AW 1900m - 95-105 Handicap $110k
(2) Solid Choice (Aus) - de Kock/Soumillon (57.5/104)

Race 5 - Turf 1600m - Meydan Classic Listed $150k
None

Race 6 - AW 1900m - UAE OAKS GR3 $250k
(1) Amica (SAf) - Kelleway/Ffrench (59.0/87)
(3) Mahbooba (Aus) - de Kock/Soumillon (59.0/112)
(6) Empire Rose (Arg) - de Kock/Shea (59.0/100)
(7) Quick Val (Arg) - Brown/Murtagh (59.0/95)

Race 7 - Turf 1600m - 100+ Handicap $175k
(3) Warsaw (Ire) - de Kock/Shea (57.0/107)
( Mahubo (SAf) - de Kock/Spencer (54.5/101)

Amica ....: ...

gregbucks Wrote:

---

> Amica ....: ...

Just shows you how poor the fields are in Dubai

Its Amica's 2nd run in Dubai.

Usual suspects in pole position with Mahbooba

Preview: UAE, Thursday 5.35pm GMT (live on ATR/RUK)

Meydan: UAE Oaks (Group 3) 1m1½f, AW, 3yo fillies

THE usual suspects may well be on the mark yet again at Meydan on Thursday as the all-conquering Mike de Kock/ Christophe Soumillon partnership field hot favourite Mahbooba in the UAE Oaks.

The Australian-bred daughter of Galileo is bidding to become the fourth filly to follow up here after winning the UAE 1,000 Guineas, the form of which was advertised last week when runner-up Reem came second in the Grade 2 Balanchine Stakes.

De Kock, who also saddles Empire Rose, won the Oaks for the first time last year with Raihana, subsequently runner-up to stable companion Musir in the UAE Derby, and Mahbooba had four of Thursday's six opponents in rear when winning the first fillies' Classic.

Godolphin's Saeed Bin Suroor has saddled the winner of the race on six occasions and local debutante Khawlah, third in the Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket when last seen, would appear his best hope.

The Gay Kelleway-trained Amica appears to face a big task under Royston Ffrench, while Richard Mullen is reunited with Electric Waves on whom he won the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes for Ed McMahon last year before her 200,000gns sale at Tattersalls.

She is now based in Saudi Arabia but will surely not stay having won only over the minimum 5f previously.

What they say

Gay Kelleway, trainer of Amica

"Obviously we have a lot to find from the UAE 1,000 Guineas but it is a small field with prize-money down to sixth. She has had six starts and raced in four countries already!"

Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of Abtasaamah and Khawlah

"It is a tough race with Mahbooba looking the one we all have to beat but our pair should run well. Abtasaamah ran very well first time but was admittedly disappointing in the UAE 1,000 Guineas. We think she is better than that and are happy to give her another try in this company.

"Khawlah is a nice, lightly raced filly who has thrived over the winter and really enjoyed the Dubai weather. Her work has been very good and she has pleased us throughout. "

Mike de Kock, trainer of Mahbooba and Empire Rose

"We were delighted with Mahbooba's first run when just she just failed to catch Reem and she reversed that form nicely in the Guineas on much better terms. Reem ran a big race last week against her elders and we decided not to run her here. Mahbooba should stay and we have to be exceptionally hopeful.

"Empire Rose is talented and the way she was running on in the Guineas the trip should suit. I would expect her to be in the frame."

Richard Mullen, jockey on Electric Waves

"Obviously I know her well from England and she was a great servant for us, highlighted by her Group 3 win at Ascot. She is pleasing her new connections and they are hopeful she will stay. It will be nice to get back on her and I am looking forward to it."

Herman Brown, trainer of Val Royal

"We were pleased enough with her first run but perhaps she did not progress from that as much as we would have liked in the Guineas. Her winning form is on turf but we will give her another go on the Tapeta over a trip that may prove more suitable."

I think this Gay Kelleway is an absolute joke, Amica is moderate at best.... If she runs 6th it might just cover the costs of all the travel this horse has had to endure .... Senseless exercise imo.