Meydan Overview & Selections – Week 2:
The action at Meydan last week has really whetted the appetite for a very good card this week where Round 1 of the Maktoum Challenge on the dirt takes centre stage. I have four selections this week, but before them here is a quick summary of what happened last week.
Race 1: Bin Battuta – Off a big lay off he wins a turf race that was run at a crawl. He sprinted better than his rivals.
Race 2: Al Hayette – Tough filly, faced kickback. Guineas and Oaks contender. A proper dirt horse.
Race 3: Faatinah – Best fresh, wins off a break in an evenly run turf sprint.
Race 4: Ravens Corner – Wins the feature off a perfect trip and pace scenario. Life will get tougher.
Race 5: Dream Castle – Classy performer finally rediscovers his mojo after a gelding operation.
Race 6: Another Batt – Trainer George Scott (UK) wins with Al Fahidi Fort bound campaigner who is tough and consistent.
Here are my 4 for this week:
10:05am (ET) Meydan: Estihdaaf
Saeed Bin Suroor and Christophe Soumillon teamed up for two winners in week one and can keep up the good work here. This horse has only raced three times winning on his final start last year. His raw form looks solid enough and his time figures are ok but his potential is enormous. I expect him to step up markedly on his two year old form which he will have to do to beat Sporting Gesture who clearly sets a tough standard but who will have to break well from stall 1 and could face pressure for the lead.
10:40am (ET) Meydan: Walking Thunder
Good turf horses can fail when faced with dirt for the first time. The Epsom Derby winner Masar is a classic example of this and those wanting to back Royal Marine at a short price will have that Masar performance etched in their minds and for me it makes Royal Marine un-backable at a short price. He does have a pedigree that suggests he will handle the surface and he is the best horse in the race but why is he racing here when his potential for turf is there for all to see? I prefer Walking Thunder who has been impressive in two wins on the dirt here at Meydan and has the early speed to overcome stall 15. He is very speedy and I cannot deny the last furlong here is a worry but this field is weak and if the favourite doesn’t take to the surface this horse can capitalise.
11:50am (ET) Meydan: Heavy Metal
The feature event can go for the second year in succession to Heavy Metal. This is the first race on the road to the Dubai World Cup, but it’s nothing like the World Cup. It is a test of speed over a one turn mile and this horse is a specialist miler. I think he will dominate this field from the front and importantly should be able to get the rail which at the domestic meeting on Saturday seemed to show signs of speeding up. I have great respect for Gold Town and North America in an above average renewal of this race but on this occasion I think the true miler will win. Things will change when it comes to round 2.
1:00pm (ET) Meydan: Silent Attack
This horse has clearly had big training issues but he is clearly highly thought of and worth persevering with. Off a 14 month lay-off he was an impressive winner at Lingfield in April 2018. He then disappointed in the Victoria Cup at Ascot and we have not seen him since. He raced here at Meydan last season where he was pitched into the Singspiel Stakes when connections could easily have opted for a handicap and his sixth place was a good effort. Christophe Soumillon takes over in the saddle on a horse who might just be best caught fresh.
Good luck and thank you for placing your carnival wagers at IdaBet.com!
