 Dubai Expert - Ed Marnane |
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| Ed Marnane was the editor of Al Adiyat, a weekly racing paper in Dubai for 11 years. He has covered the Dubai World Cup as the TV commentator for the Dubai Carnival International Show since 1999. Ed was also a jockey's agent while in Dubai. He is currently assisting his brother with training horses in Ireland. Ed has extensive knowledge of international racing and has been to every Hong Kong International Race since 2001. | |
Overseas Expert Column for Dubai World Cup Day (S1) (Ed Marnane)
S1-1 Dubai Gold Cup
Britain’s BROWN PANTHER, the highest ranked runner in the field, has an excellent chance in a race historically dominated by local stayers since the inaugural running in 2009. Winner of the G1 Irish St. Leger, BROWN PANTHER is a strong stayer, possesses a fair turn of foot and has a decent record off a break, winning on his seasonal debut in 2013 and last year.
BATHYRHON, the sole French challenger, is a useful performer and rates the main threat. He was just touched off in the G1 Prix du Cadran, France’s biggest prize for stayers, on his final start last year.
ALMOONQITH, shock winner of the local prep, is unexposed as a stayer and open to further improvement, he can’t be overlooked.
The pick of the home team are RIO TIGRE, runner-up to ALMOONQITH, and AHZEEMAH, a winner at Meydan before and runner-up in the 2013 renewal.
SELECTIONS: 8.BATHYRHON, 14.BROWN PANTHER, 15.AHZEEMAH, 13.RIO TIGRE & 9.ALMOONQITH
S1-2 UAE Derby
MUBTAAHIJ has made massive strides since switching to dirt, winning three of his four races, including the Al Bastakiya, the local trial. He has a leading chance of giving his trainer Mike de Kock a fifth success in the race.
Godolphin has an outstanding record in the race and SIR FEVER, the Uruguayan Champion, and MAFTOOL rate obvious dangers. Preference is for the latter, the winner of the UAE 2000 Guineas, when getting the better of a tough scrap with MUBTAAHIJ. If he can see out the 1,900m, he must be considered.
GOLDEN BAROWS, one of three Japanese runners, will have no fears on the surface, unbeaten on dirt since making his racecourse debut on turf. He impressed when scoring in Listed company on his final start, storming clear in the closing stages and big run is expected.
SELECTIONS: 1.MUBTAAHIJ, 7.GOLDEN BAROWS, 9.MAFTOOL, 4.SIR FEVER & 3.ALNAJEM ALFAIZ
S1-3 Al Quoz Sprint
Hong Kong should play a major role, being responsible for three smart sprinters among the 16 runners declared. Last year’s winner AMBER SKY returns to defend his title and looked back to his best when winning a barrier trial at Sha Tin, having been off the track since breaking a blood vessel and finishing lame in the Centenary Sprint Cup.
The consistent and reliable PENIAPHOBIA, winner of the aforementioned Centenary Sprint Cup, is very progressive and is fancied to put up a bold show.
BUNDLE OF JOY, Hong Kong’s final runner, was just touched off by PENIAPHOBIA and a reproduction of that form puts him right in the mix.
SOLE POWER, a four-time winner at G1 level over a straight 1,000m on turf, was disappointing in the Meydan Sprint, the local prep. He has questions to answer but is reported to be in good order and connections are hoping for a big run.
AHTOUG, runner-up twelve months ago, is in good heart this winter and one to consider.
SELECTIONS: 16.PENIAPHOBIA, 2.BUNDLE OF JOY, 13.AHTOUG, 10.AMBER SKY & 4.VIA AFRICA
DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-3: Banker – 16.PENIAPHOBIA
Selections – 2.BUNDLE OF JOY, 13.AHTOUG, 10.AMBER SKY & 4.VIA AFRICA
S1-4: Banker – 5.SALUTOS AMIGOS
Selections – 7.SECRET CIRCLE, 13.COOL COWBOY, 8.LUCKY NINE & 9.UNITED COLOR
S1-4 Dubai Golden Shaheen
SALUTOS AMIGOS has looked highly progressive, winning his last four starts, three in G3 company at Aqueduct. He has sound claims, from a decent draw, of giving America another victory in the race they’ve historically dominated, particularly on dirt.
SECRET CIRCLE, winner of the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, looks sure to be involved.
The veteran LUCKY NINE is a player if taking to dirt, being by DUBAWI fuels hope he’ll handle the conditions. He’s a smart performer on the world stage, twice winning the KrisFlyer Sprint in Singapore and running third in the 2012 Golden Shaheen on tapeta.
Despite an awkward barrier, COOL COWBOY isn’t without a chance from a yard which has enjoyed an excellent season in Dubai, firing in plenty of winners here at Meydan on the new-look dirt track. He ran well in the Al Shimaal on his local debut, an encouraging effort off a rushed preparation.
SELECTIONS: 5.SALUTOS AMIGOS, 7.SECRET CIRCLE, 13.COOL COWBOY, 8.LUCKY NINE & 9.UNITED COLOR
S1-5 Dubai Turf
SOLOW can provide the answer in a strong renewal for French trainer Freddy Head, no stranger to success at the highest level on the world stage. He caught the eye on his recent comeback at Chantilly, running out a comfortable winner. He comes to Dubai right at the top of his form.
THE GREY GATSBY was one of the stars in Europe last year, winning the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Irish Champion Stakes, famously lowering the colours of the dual Derby hero AUSTRALIA in a thrilling finish at Leopardstown. The step back to 1,800m for a colt with a strong late kick is a slight concern but he remains a horse to be respected.
Fillies have a good record in the race and CLADOCERA, winner of the Cape Verdi and Balanchine, is unbeaten at Meydan and is one to consider, along with MSHAWISH, winner of the 2014 Zabeel Mile at Meydan and an improved performer since switched to Todd Pletcher.
SELECTIONS: 10.SOLOW, 6.THE GREY GATSBY, 8.CLADOCERA, 7.TRADE STORM & 2.UMGIYO
TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S1-5: Multiple – 10.SOLOW, 6.THE GREY GATSBY & 8.CLADOCERA
S1-6: Multiple – 7.DESIGNS ON ROME, 4.FLINTSHIRE & 9.HARP STAR
S1-7: Multiple – 9.CALIFORNIA CHROME, 5.LEA & 2.HOKKO TARUMAE
S1-6 Dubai Sheema Classic
Not many of these can be ruled out and Hong Kong fields a strong player in DESIGNS ON ROME, trained by John Moore. He arrives in good form, winning his last three starts including the G1 Hong Kong Cup. A tough and reliable performer, he won’t be far away.
FLINTSHIRE, winner of the G1 Hong Kong Vase and runner-up in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf last year, is admirable and consistent horse on his international forays and sure to be involved after a pleasing return recently.
MAIN SEQUENCE, the North American Champion turf horse, began his 2015 campaign in winning form and looks to have a leading chance despite the dismal record of American horses on turf in Dubai.
Japan’s HARP STAR has the assistance of Ryan Moore and this classy filly appeals despite a lacklustre return in her native homeland last month.
The lightly-raced DOLNIYA, conqueror of FLINTSHIRE earlier in the month, is an improving filly and represents a trainer with a decent strike-rate in the Gulf.
SELECTIONS: 7.DESIGNS ON ROME, 4.FLINTSHIRE, 9.HARP STAR, 5.MAIN SEQUENCE & 2.DOLNIYA
S1-7 Dubai World Cup
CALIFORNIA CHROME, the 2014 American Horse of the Year, is the one to beat and gets the vote to justify favouritism. A remarkable versatile performer, he ran second to very smart SHARED BELIEF on his comeback and he should be spot-on for the coming assignment. He impressed working on Tuesday morning and looks in rude health.
LEA, the second American runner, is fancied to emerge the main threat to the selection. He has the benefit of two runs this year after a lengthy spell on the sidelines and ran well in the Donn Handicap last time out, a key trial for the Dubai World Cup in the past.
The Godolphin pair PRINCE BISHOP and AFRICAN STORY, last year’s winner on tapeta, may struggle from their inside gates, given their dislike of the kickback in previous races, and look up against it.
Japanese horses demand respect in Dubai and HOKKO TARUMAE looks to have the stronger claims ahead of EPIPHANEIA, winner of the Japan Cup. HOKKO TARUMAE is a prolific winner on dirt, including in G1 company, unlike EPIPHANEIA who is untested on the dirt.
SELECTIONS: 9.CALIFORNIA CHROME, 5.LEA, 2.HOKKO TARUMAE, 8.EPIPHANEIA & 6.CANDY BOY
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