 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 (S1) (Ed Marnane)
S1-1 Al Bastakiya
MARKET RALLY, last month's impressive all-the-way G3 UAE 2000 Guineas winner, is a confident selection to follow up and cement his status as one of the leading contenders for the UAE Derby on Dubai World Cup night later in the month. He found plenty of improvement for the switch to front-running tactics last time and stepping up in distance today looks a bonus.
BLUE CREEK, a winner on his racecourse debut here in January, is the main threat in first-time cheekpieces despite disappointing in handicap event on his most recent start. He wasn't totally disgraced behind TOBACO and the form of the race has worked out well.
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.
LAZZAM and HOMBRE ROJO, who complete the line-up, are well-held by MARKET RALLY on UAE 2000 Guineas form and face a massive task reversing the form.
SELECTIONS: 4. MARKET RALLY & 2. BLUE CREEK
S1-2 Mahab Al Shimaal
It's hard to look past RICH TAPESTRY, the impressive winner of the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint last month. Given a positive ride, he made all and won with plenty in hand. He escapes a penalty for the G3 victory and can bring the prize back to Hong Kong for the second time in three years.
MUARRAB, a winner over the course and distance, bounced back to form in the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint, staying on nicely to chase home RICH TAPESTRY. If he can step forward, the seven-year-old won't be far away and looks the biggest danger to the Hong Kong sprinter.
KIFAAH, one of the most improved horses training in the UAE this winter, should be battling for minor honours.
SHAISHEE, last year's winner, returns to defend his crown but isn't in the same form this year and is likely to struggle.
SELECTIONS: 3. RICH TAPESTRY, 1. MUARRAB, 5. KIFAAH & 4. SHAISHEE
S1-3 Meydan Sprint
A competitive affair with SOLE POWER and GOLDREAM, both winners at G1 level, joined by recent course winners JUNGLE CAT and SIR MAXIMILIAN, the 2015 winner, the leading contenders. The last-named, impressed when scoring here last month and can usually be relied upon to give his running.
JUNGLE CAT, a smart juvenile, won with plenty to spare on his comeback from a lengthy break for his local connections and, if finding further progress should go close.
GOLDREAM, a 1,000m specialist, blossomed last year, winning the G1 King's Stand Stakes and the G1 Prix de L'Abbaye de Longchamp. He hasn't raced since October and fitness is clearly a worry but if produced fit and well, he comes into the reckoning.
SOLE POWER, winner of the G1 Al Quoz Sprint, over today's course and distance in March last year, is likely to be sharper for the race and should leave him spot-on for the big turf sprint prize on Dubai World Cup night.
SELECTIONS: 10. SIR MAXIMILIAN, 8. JUNGLE CAT, 9. GOLDREAM & 3. SOLE POWER
S1-4 Burj Nahaar
Traditionally a race the locals dominate and this year's prize looks destined, once again, to stay at home. COOL COWBOY, representing Doug Watson, Meydan's leading trainer this season, has progressed nicely since stepping up from sprint trips and looks sure to go well.
LE BERNARDIN, winner of a Listed and G2 at today's venue earlier in the season, has sound claims despite a below-par effort when last seen. He was unable to lead that day and if allowed dominate, he'll be hard to reel in under Tadhg O'Shea, the Champion jockey.
Of the others TOP CLEARANCE and LAYL make most appeal, with marginal preference for the former under Irish Champion jockey Pat Smullen. He hails from an in-form yard and impressed here in January, scoring over the same course and distance.
SELECTIONS: 3. COOL COWBOY, 8. LE BERNARDIN, 9. TOP CLEARANCE & 2. LAYL
DOUBLE TRIO SELECTIONS (16 unit bets):
S1-4: Multiple – 3. COOL COWBOY, 8. LE BERNARDIN, 9. TOP CLEARANCE & 2. LAYL
S1-5: Multiple – 4. DARIYAN, 6. POSTPONED, 2. SANSHAAWES & 5. BALIOS
S1-5 Dubai City Of Gold
POSTPONED, who had a very productive 2015, winning the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the G2 Prix Foy makes his eagerly awaited comeback for new trainer Roger Varian. One of the top middle-distance performers in Europe last season, he will relish the conditions and is the class act of the race. He demands plenty of respect and should be in the shake-up.
French trainer Alain de Royer Dupre has a decent strike-rate in Dubai and the lightly-raced DARIYAN carries his hopes, and is the biggest threat to POSTPONED. Winner of three of his seven races, he ran well in the G1 Hong Kong Vase behind HIGHLAND REEL and FLINTSHIRE, and reproduction of that form puts him right in the mix.
SANSHAAWES and HAAFAGUINEA are in good form and with their fitness assured can't be overlooked despite needing to improve in this grade.
BALIOS is one to consider, the four-year-old impressed when winning at Royal Ascot in June and represents a yard that have done well in Dubai in the past.
SELECTIONS: 4. DARIYAN, 6. POSTPONED, 2. SANSHAAWES & 5. BALIOS
TREBLE SELECTIONS (27 unit bets):
S1-5: Multiple – 4. DARIYAN, 6. POSTPONED & 2. SANSHAAWES
S1-6: Multiple – 8. FAULKNER, 3. WATERSHED & 11. KEEN ICE
S1-7: Multiple – 8. TRYSTER, 4. HARRY'S SON & 3. ERTIJAAL
S1-6 Al Maktoum Challenge R3
US raider KEEN ICE, the only horse to beat the mighty AMERICAN PHAROAH last year, has obvious claims despite being drawn out wide and a lacklustre comeback in last month's the G1 Donn Handicap. The booking of Ryan Moore is eye-catching and no surprise if the four-year-old bounced with a bang on his Meydan debut.
MUBTAAHIJ, winner of the G2 UAE Derby of 2015, one of four victories at Meydan last year, ran poorly on his comeback last month and has now something to prove. It's soon to write off the four-year-old and he should be sharper for the run.
Kiaran McLaughlin has his team firing on all cylinders and his runner WATERSHED can go well, while FAULKNER, trained by McLaughlin's former assistant, Doug Watson, is going in the right direction and can also be involved.
GUN PIT, unbeaten in seven starts on Sha Tin's All-Weather track, is capable of going well if handling the conditions, and being by DUBAWI fuels hope he can take to the dirt.
SELECTIONS: 8. FAULKNER, 3. WATERSHED, 11. KEEN ICE & 1. GUN PIT
S1-7 Jebel Hatta
TRYSTER was sensational when winning the G3 Dubai Millennium Stakes, demolishing his nine rivals to score in brilliant fashion, a performance that suggested he can make his mark at this level.
Top South African performer ERTIJAAL will enjoy the switch to turf after bombing out badly in a competitive handicap on dirt, looking totally uncomfortable on the surface. Provided the experience hasn't knocked his confidence, the Mike de Kock-trained four-year-old is one to consider.
HARRY'S SON, a Grade 1 winner in South Africa, has minor claims having twice run well at Meydan this season, the latest nine days ago in a G2 event.
Of the others JOHANN STRAUSS, ZAHEE and PRAYER FOR RELIEF, all trained by Mike de Kock, warrant consideration, with preference for the last-named. PRAYER FOR RELIEF has been knocking on the door this season in competitive races and has the assistance of Ryan Moore on his turf debut.
SELECTIONS: 8. TRYSTER, 4. HARRY’S SON, 3. ERTIJAAL & 9. PRAYER FOR RELIEF
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