Meydan Super Saturday (World Cup Preview) - March 10th

[Kitan]

Godolphin have a very strong hand on the card...

Race 1:
#10 Masar: By far the standout on form, and with Classic aspirations later in the season I find it hard to believe they'd throw him in here if he didn't handle the surface. Drawn wide means he'll either cross and lead or stalk the pace, both options leave him out of the kickback.
#4 Last Voyage: A bit slow at the start and took a while to get going. Can only improve off that first dirt try and is the logical second choice.
#13 El Chapo: Missed the start in his last dirt try and battled strongly after rushing up to stalk the leaders.
#1 Yulong Warrior: Wired them from the inside draw last time but this is much tougher.

Race 2:
#3 Comicas: Most consistent runner in the field and had the track bias against him last time.
#4 Jordan Sport: Has proven he can run in Dubai and is a two-time winner on the AWT at 6f in the UK. Has turf sprint speed, so if he breaks cleanly he can get to the rail which has been golden for speed recently. Progeny of Dubawi take to the dirt and he's worth a shot at a price.
#10 My Catch: Had the aforementioned bias in his hands last time from the rail draw, but other than a run in the big G1 last year off the layoff he has always been thereabouts.
#11 Raven's Corner: Progressed nicely this year to set the 7f track record last out, albeit getting a lot of weight from the runner-up and having the speed/rail bias. Well beaten by these in his first run this season but got too far back that day.
#8 is the wiseguy runner here based on the predicted track bias, but he's had the lead against these twice this season and been beaten both times...

Race 3:
#4 Ertijaal: Highest rated locally trained horse is another short-priced runner that looks hard to beat. He is running back in 2 weeks after a tough race and is thought to be better over 5f, but he has won over this course and distance previously and ran a cracking race in the G1 last year.
#6 Jungle Cat: Loves it over this course and has finished 4th in the G1 the last two years. Has been stepped up to 7f and was planned to go to Australia (until the stablemate won last week and will now stay for World Cup Night), but won this race last year and Buick elects here.
#1 Baccarat: Another proven runner here who may be better than ever at 9yo. Drawn a stall beside the hot-priced fav and if he breaks on time can get a great trip on that one's back.
#2 D'bai: Has yet to run over a distance shorter than 7f but has won twice on the straight course in England. Showed a quick turn of foot to win first up here and although was a bit disappointing last time out, they crawled up front and he still ran the final 200m in 22.1. 4yo has every right to improve.

Race 4:
#7 Classic Emperor: Always have a soft spot for the HK runners, but will have come into his own now with extra time out here and should get a great stalking trip with a jock up that knows the track. Looks a juicy overlay.
#13 Heavy Metal: Another odds-on runner that could easily romp, but from the widest draw he may be worth taking a chance against. He does he best running on the lead, and even though he has the speed to cross, there are others drawn inside of him that are expected to push early and I don't think the connections will want to kill him early with the big race coming up in 3 weeks time.
#1 Kimbear: American import impressed back in January, ran into a good looking one second time out, and although he was a well-beaten 2nd last out he was giving 13lbs and running against the bias. From the inside draw I expect them to send. Could wire them, could duel with the fav and tire.
#11 Daily Bulletin: Dual AWT winner in England won easily on UAE debut before pulling up lame last time out. Dam's name (Life At Then) should be more than familiar and would not be a surprise to see him run well at a good price.

Race 5:
#2 Folkswood: Returned an impressive winner after encountering traffic trouble and losing first run. Just pipped in this event last year and has only improved since then. Should get a lovely stalking trip from an inside draw.
#10 Benbatl: Has really flourished in Dubai, taking two graded races, but this is his toughest test in the UAE. Improving 4yo has strong back form in the UK and can easily win this, but will be near even-money and there are plenty of quality runners here.
#7 Leshlaa: Barn has always liked this one, and he's another that's found his way at Meydan. Had every chance last time, but the drop back to 9f should suit.
#6 Gm Hopkins: UK form isn't good enough here, but I thought he ran a sneaky good race last time in a speed-dominated race and is worth including underneath at a price.
#9 has strong South African form and ran well last time and the trainer mentioned he definitely needed that run, but he may need one more to prep him fully for World Cup Night.

Race 6:
#6 North America: A confirmed front runner, he was killed off by the speed in the Godolphin Mile and blew the start in his season debut. Did lead but was ridden a bit conservatively when trying this distance for the first time last out, and with a more aggressive ride may be able to pinch it.
#6 Boynton: Connections think highly of this 4yo, as they should be since he is a half to G1 winner Constitution. Strong winner on UAE debut and confidence shown as they try him here rather than the mile race.
#2 Thunder Snow: Even though he's won both starts at around this distance, he's only done just enough both times and may prefer shorter. May face kickback from the inside draw and his normal rider Soumillon is suspended. May win, but is another at near even-money that may be worth taking on.
#9 Saltarin Dubai: Argentinean G1 winner finally finding his feet in the UAE. This is a big step up, but he'll be grinding away late to try and snag a piece.

Race 7:
#14 Best Solution: SCR of #8 helps, as it means less pace up front and gives him a chance to slide over from a wide draw into a good stalking position. Ran well when giving away a lot of weight first up and showed quick acceleration last out. Did disappoint last year but is on the upward swing as a 4yo and gets a few lbs from his older rivals.
#11 Hawkbill: Another that benefits from the SCR of the other speed as it gives him a chance to dictate it softly on the lead. Has run 2nd in his last two, and although both were G1s one could argue that the quality of those fields were not in fact of that standard. He also had it his own way up front both times and was run down, and would not be implausible to see that happen again this time.
#10 Al Sahem: Has been prepped well by de Kock. Third up may see the best out of him.
#2 Frontiersman: Have never been his biggest fan, but should appreciate the firm going and has experience over the French runner (#3).

Good luck!