 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 Super Saturday (Ed Marnane)
S1-1 Al Bastakiya
SNOWBOARDER, last seen chasing home the exciting SOFT FALLING RAIN in the UAE 2000 Guineas, has strong claims of coming out on top and giving trainer Mahmoud Al Zarooni his first success in the race, a key prep for the UAE Derby. He ran on strongly behind de Kock’s unbeaten colt, leaving the impression of stepping up to 1900 metres will suit this son of Breeders’ Cup Classic winner RAVEN’S PASS.
De Kock, chasing his third consecutive Al Bastakiya triumph, has a strong hand with two runners EMOTIF and ZAHEE. Preference is for the latter, the New Zealand-bred colt is feared on his third in the UAE 2000 Guineas, three parts of a length behind Al Zarooni’s charge. He is progressing steadily since leaving Australia and warrants plenty of respect.
Of the others ELLEVAL, impressive winner two starts back, is one to consider on his tapeta debut.
DEAUVILLE PRINCE, held on fourth in the UAE 2000 Guineas, has potential stamina concerns over this trip and may struggle.
FORTIFY, the top-ranked runner on the official rating of 105, needs to step up on recent form to get involved.
SELECTIONS:4. SNOWBOARDER, 2. ZAHEE, 10. ELLEVAL & 5. DEAUVILLE PRINCE
S1-2 Meydan Sprint
This is highly competitive with several holding decent claims. The consistent and reliable SOLE POWER, one of six Irish runners in the field, was narrowly beaten in last year’s renewal and returns looking to go one better, he merits respect.
INVINCIBLE ASH, the winner twelve months ago, has been winless since and looks up against it despite showing signs of a return to form. Stablemate RUSSIAN SOUL, runner-up in his last five starts, has progressed since sent sprinting but at this level does need to produce a lifetime-high performance.
Of the remaining Irish runners DANDY BOY, a former winner over the course, easily makes most appeal. He impressed when scoring at Royal Ascot last year and has a decent record on the back of a break.
Robert Cowell holds a strong hand with Nunthorpe Stakes runner-up SPIRIT QUARTZ and MONSIEUR JOE, a winner over this course and distance. Of the pair SPIRIT QUARTZ has the stronger claims under his optimum conditions.
SHEA SHEA, a Grade 1 winner in South Africa, never landed a blow on his Meydan debut behind MEDICEAN MAN, trailing in seventh on his return from a lengthy break. He should be sharper for the race and with his trainer firing on all cylinders has to be included on the shortlist.
SELECTIONS:6. SOLE POWER, 1. DANDY BOY, 14. SHEA SHEA & 4. SPIRIT QUARTZ
S1-3 Mahab Al Shimaal
Last year’s winner KRYPTON FACTOR looks the one to beat, based on his promising comeback after a layoff in the Al Shindagha Sprint, over this course and distance. Since switched to tapeta and sent sprinting, the five-year-old has blossomed, culminating in his victory in the Dubai Golden Shaheen on Dubai World Cup night last year. He has the benefit of a plum draw and will take plenty of stopping.
BALMONT MAST, just a neck behind KRYPTON FACTOR last time in the Group 3 event, looks the biggest danger under John Murtagh. Trained by Edward Lynam, BALMONT MAST has been a sprinter on the upgrade since a wind operation in 2011, winning four times including a Listed event on the polytrack at Dundalk last October, where he broke the track record.
One to consider is REYNALDOTHEWIZARD, the Satish Seemar-trained seven-year-old, can boast smart form under these conditions and arrives on the back of a win over BALMONT MAST here in January, taking his tally to four on tapeta.
The progressive GANAS, had won three of his six races, all on tapeta, since joining Ernst Oertel could go well at rewarding odds, particularly if he is able to get an easy lead. He failed to dominate his rivals in the Al Shindagha Sprint from a poor draw, allied with BALLISTA (in Race S1-2) pestering him for the lead.
SELECTIONS:2. KRYPTON FACTOR, 10. BALMONT MAST, 7. REYNALDOTHEWIZARD & 5. GANAS
S1-4 Dubai City of Gold
This looks a good opportunity for AWAIT THE DAWN to follow up his recent course win for Mike de Kock, whose team are in rude health now after a quiet start to this year’s Dubai Carnival. He impressed when defeating SO BEAUTIFUL (in Race S1-7), returning to the form he showed in his younger days for Aidan O’Brien.
Godolphin have enjoyed plenty of success with their French imports this year, MASTERSTROKE, the latest recruit, rates the main threat for Mahmoud Al Zarooni, a trainer seeking his second victory in three years. He has a progressive profile, winning four of his seven starts. The four-year-old is open to further improvement, unlike many of his rivals.
The globe-trotting stayer JAKKALBERRY, winner of the American St Leger and third in the Melbourne Cup, has had an interrupted preparation, having been forced to miss the Nad Al Sheba Trophy last Saturday, as connections weren’t happy with him after he touched down in Dubai.
CAVALRYMAN, not seen since flopping in the Melbourne Cup, bids to give trainer Saeed bin Suroor an eighth victory in the race. He’s a useful stayer and shouldn’t be overlooked, along with the Spanish challenger PLANTAGENET who resumed winning ways seven days ago, running on strongly to snatch the spoils close home.
SELECTIONS: 2. AWAIT THE DAWN, 5. MASTERSTROKE, 4. CAVALRYMAN & 9. PLANTAGENET
S1-5 Burj Nahaar
The presence of the 123-rated DULLAHAN, winner of the Grade 1 Pacific Classic on the polytrack surface, adds spice to an intriguing event, particularly from a very favourable draw. In recent years North American runners have struggled at Meydan but the four-year-old demands respect under Kieren Fallon, a noteworthy booking. He ticks plenty of boxes and his trainer Dale Romans who is no stranger to success in the Emirates, winning the 2005 Dubai World Cup with ROSES IN MAY.
AFRICAN STORY, winner of the 2012 Godolphin Mile, heads a powerful Godolphin challenge. The six-year-old, not seen since disappointing in the Champions Mile in Hong Kong, can boast an admirable record on tapeta, winning three of his four starts. His fitness is an obvious query but the yard have an excellent strike-rate with horses returning from a break, so it shouldn’t be a negative.
Sporting the second silks of Godolphin, MOONWALK IN PARIS, a French recruit, made an immediate impact for his new connections when landing the Firebreak Stakes, over this course and distance. He’s unexposed under these conditions and open to further progress.
Of the others UNBRIDLED OCEAN, a winner here last month, makes most appeal, ahead of the course specialist BARBECUE EDDIE and RED JAZZ.
SELECTIONS:5. AFRICAN STORY, 2. DULLAHAN, 7. UNBRIDLED OCEAN & 1. ROYAL RIDGE
DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (12 unit bets):
S1-4: Banker - 2. AWAIT THE DAWN Selections - 5.MASTERSTROKE, 4. CAVALRYMAN & 9. PLANTAGENET
S1-5: Multiple - 5. AFRICAN STORY, 2. DULLAHAN, 7. UNBRIDLED OCEAN & 4. MOONWALK IN PARIS
S1-6 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3
This year’s renewal has attracted a very classy field with a strong home team facing a stiff challenge from the international brigade, headed by Breeders’ Cup Turf hero LITTLE MIKE. Trained by Dale Romans, he hasn’t been seen since winning at Santa Anita, is unproven on tapeta and may need this.
Japan took this race with RED DESIRE in 2010 and return with a strong contender in the shape of TRAILBLAZER, a horse that ran well in his only two starts overseas in North America last year.
MONTEROSSO, the 2012 Dubai World Cup hero, has been off the track since running poorly in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown and looks vulnerable.
Saeed bin Suroor has enjoyed plenty of success in this race, winning it no fewer than eight occasions. HUNTER’S LIGHT, a smooth winner of Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2, looks the pick of his troop, ahead of the rapidly improving KASSIANO, unbeaten in his last three starts.
SELECTIONS: 4. HUNTER’S LIGHT, 1. LITTLE MIKE & 5. MONTEROSSO
S1-7 Jebel Hatta
South African champion IGUGU, trained by Mike de Kock, is on a retrieving mission after failing to justify short odds on her Meydan debut in the Balanchine Stakes, weakening to finish third behind SAJJHAA. Winner of the Durban July and the J&B Met, she was the victim of a poor ride, getting involved in a speed duel and ultimately paying the price. The booking of Anthony Delpech looks significant, he has been her regular rider in South Africa and the pair has only suffered defeat once in eight runs.
Her stablemate THE APACHE made a winning a start to his Meydan career, running on well to get the better of CITY STYLE in a Group 2 event. He should strip fitter for the run and there are sound reasons to believe he can go close.
MASTER OF HOUNDS, the defending champion, gives de Kock a strong hand as the South African trainer chases his fourth victory in the race. The five-year-old made a pleasing return after a spell in Britain, under the care of William Haggas, finishing second to the progressive MUSHREQ in a Group 2.
It’s hard to ignore the claims of the Godolphin trio — SAJJHAA, SHARESTAN and CITY STYLE — who all can boast winning form under these conditions and come here in good heart.
SELECTIONS: 10. THE APACHE, 5. IGUGU, 4. CITY STYLE & 7. SHARESTAN
TREBLE SELECTIONS (12 unit bets):
S1-5: Multiple - 5. AFRICAN STORY & 2. DULLAHAN
S1-6: Multiple - 4. HUNTER’S LIGHT, 1. LITTLE MIKE & 3. TRAILBLAZER
S1-7: Multiple - 10. THE APACHE & 5. IGUGU
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