2019 Dubai World Cup Meeting at Meydan
12.15 Meydan, Godolphin Mile
Last year’s winner Heavy Metal is going to find it tough to reverse the form of his last race, here on the 9th of March where he finished over 11 lengths behind today’s favourite Muntazah in to 4th place. The Turkish Champion, Good Curry also ran in that race finishing second and although he has little chance of reversing form with the favourite he could run in to a place at 50/1 eachway.
Recommended bet
Good Curry, 50/1 eachway
12.50 Meydan, Dubai World Cup
The French have dominated this race recently with Vazirabad and it could again go the way of the French with their new staying star Call The Wind. The Godolphin runners, including last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter are to be feared at home, but if the French group one winner shows up anywhere near the form he was in when winning the Prix du Cadran, then he’s the one to beat at 7/2.
Recommended bet
Call The Wind, 7/2
1.30 Meydan, Al Quoz Sprint
Godolphin’s Blue Point has been dominant in both starts here at Meydan in the run up to this race. He’s started a heavy 1/4 favourite beating inferior horses easily but he’s facing much better horses in the U.S. sprinters, including last year’s runner-up Stormy Lberal; 8/11 just doesn’t appeal on the Godolphin runner. Stormy Liberal could go one better than last year at 12/1, but another U.S. runner appeals more in Caribou Club at 16/1. He’s an improving sprinter in form that finished in front of last year’s placers in this race, Stormy Liberal and Conquest Tsunami in January.
Recommended bets
Caribou Club, 16/1
Stormy Liberal (saver) 12/1
2.05 Meydan, UAE Derby
Aiden O’Briens horses have done really well in this race, to the point of over-achieving and he saddles the exposed Van Beethoven this year, who is 14/1. A group 2 winner as a 2-y-o but disappointing on his seasonal debut at Dundalk, with his trainer’s record in this race it could be foolish to dismiss him. Of the others, Walking Thunder appeals as he may have run in to a good horse last time out, being undefeated, winning his first 3 races; he’s 5/1.
Recommended bets
Van Beethoven, 14/1
Walking Thunder (saver) 5/1
2.40 Meydan, Golden Shaheen
The U.S. sprinters dominated this race last year, filling the places and they dominate the market here again this year with X Y Jet, Imperial Hint and Promises Fulfilled. It’s tough to split the U.S. sprinters, but I’d be tempted to side with the highest rated in here, Imperial Mint if I could back him at 4/1+, otherwise I’ll just watch the race.
Recommended bet
Imperial Hint, 4/1+
3.20 Meydan, Dubai Turf
On the ratings, Almond Eye is by far the best, she’s not raced since winning last year’s Japan Cup, though she has won after a long break at the highest level and she is sure to be ready for this. The 11/10 about the favourite may prove to have been generous but I’ll try a couple of bigger priced runners against her to place. Another Japanese raider, last year’s third place finisher in this race behind Benbatl is Deirdre, she could run another good race at 16/1 drawn in stall 3. The Hong Kong runner Southern Legend has struggled to win at the highest level but has turned in some great place efforts behind the likes of Beauty Generation and Exultant, the very best in Hong Kong; he likes to race up with the pace and could go close from a great draw in stall one at 25/1 eachway.
Recommended bets
Deirdre, 16/1 eachway
Southern Legend, 25/1 eachway
4.00 Meydan, Dubai Sheema Classic
The favourite, the Godolphin runner Old Persian is so consistent that it’s tempting just to side with him with home field advantage, but the Japanese runner’s just look that bit better and genuine group one performers while Old Persian has come up short at group one level. Rey De Oro is the most fancied of the Japanese runners; he finished fourth last year in this race but I’d rather dutch the other two runners at bigger prices, Suave Richard 8/1 and Cheval Grand 14/1.
Recommended bets
Suave Richard, 8/1
Cheval Grand, 14/1
4.40 Meydan Dubai World Cup
Thunder Snow blew this race apart last year and he could do that again this year despite an underwhelming debut when finishing nearly 10 lengths behind Capezzano here on the 9th of March. Thunder Snow was convincingly beaten in his prep race last year by North America, finishing over 5 lengths behind in second, but then beat that same opponent over 50 lengths when it mattered in this race; at 4/1 he is the most likely winner. Of the rest, the U.S. runners, Seeking The Soul and Audible appeal.
Recommended bet
Thunder Snow, 4/1
