 Dubai Expert - Ed Marnane |
|
|---|---|
| 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 (S1) (Ed Marnane)
S1-1 Al Bastakiya
MUBTAAHIJ, runner-up in the UAE 2000 Guineas, can spoil SIR FEVER’s eagerly awaited debut for Godolphin and provide trainer Mike de Kock with his fifth success in the race. The son of DUBAWI, twice a winner on dirt at Meydan, will relish the step up in distance and, with fitness on his side, he’s fancied to quickly resume winning ways.
The unbeaten South American import SIR FEVER arrives in Dubai with a massive reputation, winning all five starts, including three at G1 level. He’s proven on dirt and is the highest rated runner in the field with an official figure of 117.
The Christophe Soumillon-ridden AJWAD, MUBTAAHIJ’s stablemate, is well held on the UAE 2000 Guineas form and it is difficult to see him turning the tables with the selection.
TASHBEEH and QUARTERBACK weren’t beaten far in last week’s Meydan Classic but are unproven on dirt and will need to raise their game to play a leading role.
SELECTIONS: 3. MUBTAAHIJ, 2.SIR FEVER, 1.AJWAD, 6.QUARTERBACK & 4.TASHBEEH
S1-2 Mahab Al Shimaal
KRYPTON FACTOR, the 2012 Dubai Golden Shaheen winner, made an encouraging dirt debut in the Al Shindagha Sprint, just failing to hold the late burst of REYNALDOTHEWIZARD. KRYPTON FACTOR should benefit from that experience and this looks a good opportunity to repeat his victory in this race three years ago.
They’re no shortage of dangers, led by PRICE IS TRUTH and MASHAAREF, both recent winners over today’s course. In recent years overseas raider have a decent record, winning three of the past four renewals.
The French import FARMAH looks their main hope, ahead of SPEED HAWK, the mount of Andrea Atzeni. FARMAH’s unproven on dirt but her American pedigree fuels, hope she’ll handle the underfoot conditions, and is nicely drawn. It looks significant Paul Hanagan, the owner’s number one rider, has elected to ride the filly, ahead of MASHAAREF, NAWWAAR and SHAISHEE.
American import COOL COWBOY, unbeaten in four starts over 1,200m on dirt, has joined a top local yard and is clearly worthy of a mention.
SELECTIONS: 2.KRYPTON FACTOR, 8.COOL COWBOY, 4.FARMAH, 5.MASHAAREF & 9.SPEED HAWK
S1-3 Meydan Sprint
British sprinter CASPIAN PRINCE is clearly in top form at present, making all to bag a handicap, over today’s course and distance last month. He clocked a slick time and could be hard to peg back if allowed to dominate.
SOLE POWER, the Irish raider, is a four-time G1 winner over 1,000m and has run well in this race in the past, most notably chasing home SHEA SHEA in the 2013 renewal. The lack of a recent run is an obvious concern, returning from layoff.
The same comment that also applies to South African Champion sprinter VIA AFRICA. She arrives in the Gulf with a formidable record and hails from a yard in good form after a quiet start to the Dubai Carnival.
AHTOUG, trained by Charlie Appleby, is the pick of the home team, having bounced back to winning form over today’s course and distance in January. He only found AMBER SKY too strong in last year’s Al Quoz Sprint and comes into the reckoning if reproducing that excellent effort despite a tricky barrier.
SELECTIONS: 1.CASPIAN PRINCE, 15.AHTOUG, 3.VIA AFRICA, 8.SOLE POWER & 6.ROI DE VITESSE
S1-4 Burj Nahaar
It’s hard to see past the progressive and exciting TAMARKUZ, especially from a plum draw. He has blossomed since switching to dirt and conquering his well-documented problems in the starting stalls, which stalled his progress earlier in his career. He really impressed in the Firebreak Stakes, over today’s course and distance, making all to demolish his nine rivals and is fancied to give the red-hot Paul Hanagan another big prize, seven days after riding a four-timer at Meydan.
LAYL, trained by Doug Watson, the leading trainer in the UAE this winter, is progressing nicely with racing this season and can’t be overlooked on his G3 debut.
GOLD CITY, four lengths adrift of TAMARKUZ in the Firebreak Stakes, has place claims from a yard enjoying a successful Dubai Carnival.
SELECTIONS: 1.TAMARKUZ, 10.LAYL, 6.GOLD CITY, 7. MUAANID & 2.ROMANSH
DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (36 unit bets):
S1-4: Banker – 1.TAMARKUZ
Selections – 10.LAYL, 6.GOLD CITY, 7.MUAANID & 2.ROMANSH
S1-5: Banker – 8.SKY HUNTER
Selections – 9.UMGIYO, 6.MICKDAAM, 5.TRUE STORY & 4.SHEIKHZAYEDROAD
S1-5 Dubai City Of Gold
Saeed bin Suroor, the most successful trainer in the history of the race with seven wins, holds a strong hand, saddling Meydan winners TRUE STORY and SKY HUNTER, the mount of stable jockey James Doyle. The last-named is a progressive, lightly-raced sort and the type Godolphin has historically done well with in the Carnival at Meydan. It’s a vote of confidence that Doyle has chosen the five-year-old, the highest rated runner in the field.
Mike de Kock, successful trainer in three renewals, is two-handed with slight preference for UMGIYO, just ahead of MICKDAAM, who bounced back to form after a long spell in the doldrums. South African import UMGIYO, a surprise winner on his local debut, ran well behind HUNTER’S LIGHT in the Dubai Millennium Stakes and, having had only ten lifetime starts has surely more to offer.
MICKDAAM, winner of the Al Bastakiya earlier in his career, is feared now he has showed some of his old sparkle behind FAMOUS KID last month.
Of the others, SHEIKHZAYEDROAD, a winner at Meydan last year, makes most appeal.
SELECTIONS: 8.SKY HUNTER, 9.UMGIYO, 6.MICKDAAM, 5.TRUE STORY & 4.SHEIKHZAYEDROAD
TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S1-5: Multiple – 8.SKY HUNTER, 9.UMGIYO & 6.MICKDAAM
S1-6: Multiple – 4.PRINCE BISHOP, 5.FRANKYFOURFINGERS & 2.STORM BELT
S1-7: Multiple – 4.VERCINGETORIX, 1.HUNTER’S LIGHT & 8.LIMARIO
S1-6 Al Maktoum Challenge R3
AFRICAN STORY, the 2014 Dubai World Cup winner, has questions to answer after struggling badly on his dirt debut in Round 2, trailing in six lengths behind FRANKYFOURFINGERS on his seasonal debut. The winner made all under French rider Mickael Barzalona, exploiting his wide draw in stall ninth to build on the promise of his encouraging dirt debut behind SURFER in January. He’s unexposed under these conditions and he seems sure to be bang there again.
PRINCE BISHOP finished with a flourish, once out of the kickback, to chase home FRANKFOURFINGERS and was arguably an unlucky loser. The eight-year-old looks sure to be in the firing line again.
The Doug Watson-trained pair STORM BELT and HENRY CLAY arrive at the top of their game, having impressed when scoring at Meydan last month, whilst they’re very effective on dirt. They clearly warrant respect and can’t be discounted on their step up to G1 company.
SELECTIONS: 4.PRINCE BISHOP, 5.FRANKYFOURFINGERS, 2.STORM BELT, 6.TOOLAIN & 9.HENRY CLAY
S1-7 Jebel Hatta
VERCINGETORIX has sound claims of landing back-to-back wins, having impressed on his comeback in the Al Rashidiya in January. Making his first start since running third in the QEII Cup in Sha Tin last April, Mike de Kock’s charge was never out of second gear, easily brushing aside the favourite TRUE STORY and four others. He can give his trainer a third victory in four years and advertise his claims in the Dubai Duty Free on Dubai World Cup night in three weeks.
Despite his advancing years HUNTER’S LIGHT has demonstrated he hasn’t lost any of his ability and enthusiasm, winning twice this year at Meydan, the latest in the Dubai Millennium Stakes when setting a new track record.
LIMARIO, who appreciated the return to turf after a failing to act on dirt on his seasonal reappearance, is one to consider. He travelled sweetly under a confident ride before quickening nicely to score in handicap company, over today’s course and distance.
ELLEVAL, the Irish raider, was an unlucky loser on last Saturday and has minor place claims on his first start at G1 level.
SELECTIONS: 4.VERCINGETORIX, 1.HUNTER’S LIGHT, 8.LIMARIO, 9.ELLEVAL & 10.TRADE STORM
Disclaimer:
The above content and information are the personal views and/or opinions of each individual writer and do not represent the views of The Hong Kong Jockey Club and/or its subsidiaries (together, the "HKJC"). The content and information are provided by the writers solely for entertainment purpose only, and should not be construed as a suggestion for anyone to place any bet nor should they be taken and/or relied upon as advice of any kind. The above content and information have not been verified, confirmed and/or endorsed by HKJC and HKJC shall not be liable to any person for any loss or damage suffered by such person as a result of any use or reliance of the above content or information.
HKJC shall not be required to give and does not give any warranty, whether express or implied, arising out of or in connection with the content or information. The Club disclaims any responsibility and accepts no liability (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) for any direct or indirect loss of damage arising from any inaccuracies, omission or typographical errors that may be contained therein. The Club also does not warrant the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or fitness for purpose of any such information.
