The fifth meeting of the 2019 Dubai World Cup Carnival takes place tomorrow, please find below the Week 5 Meydan Overview and bet selections written by Racing TV’s Angus McNae.
Also attached the race cards for the fifth race meeting of the Carnival.
Meydan Overview & Selections – Week 5:
Last year, from week one of the Dubai International Carnival I was a huge fan of Benbatl because of the potential he showed in the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot and the subsequent unsuitable conditions he faced thereafter. He did not disappoint, taking the Grade 1 Dubai Turf on World Cup night. I did not have a similar horse in my mind this time around but Dream Castle is rapidly becoming a horse in whom I am investing a good deal of hope. He has been transformed by a gelding operation and is beginning to fulfil all the potential he showed when finishing 5th in the 2000 Guineas in 2017. Last week under Christophe Soumillon he won the Al Rashidiya, sealing the race with a smart turn of foot. He is developing into the new Benbatl. He’s not as good as him yet, but in the Grade 1 Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday he may well take another step towards being the new Benbatl.
Unfortunately a blank week last week, but we have a decent card to have a go at for Week 5 of this magnificent Carnival. Here are my five selections:
10:05am (ET) Meydan: Divine Image
The three year old filly division in the UAE at this time of year is quite weak and this filly stands out as being one with a good deal of potential for racing on the dirt at Meydan. She was wildly impressive on her only start to date winning at Chelmsford in a decent time over 6 furlongs. That early speed is a vital component when it comes to winning here on the dirt at Meydan and I think that from stall 7 she will be able to outpace the rivals inside her and grab the inside rail. It should be added that both winners on the dirt last week made all against the rail. I expect her to do the same and prove a class above her rivals here.
11:15am (ET) Meydan: Drafted
This is a weak renewal of the Al Shindagha sprint. Ravens Corner misses out with a minor setback and who knows where Jordan Sport and Yalta are hiding. Drafted showed that he was still in good form when closing strongly behind Ravens Corner in the Dubawi Stakes and with plenty of pace on here he should be able to take advantage. Both My Catch and Ibn Malik are likely to go quickly and they may well hook up in a duel setting it up for Drafted. Backing closers on dirt is not really a policy that I have a great deal of faith in as the closer is at no point in charge of his own destiny and is a hostage to the pace scenario but things should set up nicely for the inform Drafted here.
11:50am Meydan: Gold Town
This horse was a very useful three year old here on the dirt in 2018. He romped to success in the UAE 2000 Guineas and despite a defeat in the UAE Derby he looked the sort who could make up into a Dubai World Cup horse. Clearly connections felt the same as they pitched him into Round 1 of the Al Maktoum Challenge on his return this season. That seemed to be all too much for him as he was bullied into submission by the top class North America. In mitigation it was the first time Gold Town had taken on hard knocking older dirt horses and it was his first run for 10 months. He will be sharper now and more importantly he is back in the calmer waters of a handicap. Thus is a big chance for him to get back on track and an abject failure here really will leave connections scratching their heads.
12:25pm Meydan: Light the Lights
Mike De Kock’s runner may be surrounded by a sea of blue Godolphin runners here but he looks poised to strike after two interesting runs at the Carnival so far. He put in an eye-catching effort when under a tender ride he made good late headway behind Dream Castle and then Mike switched him to the dirt. In that dirt race he showed bright early pace before fading. I believe Mike was mindful of the dirt to turf angle which can really sharpen horses up and ran him there to simply get spot on for this assignment. There is a decent prize in this horse this season and this could well be it.
1:00pm Meydan: Baroot
I am taking this horse to roll back the years for De Kock and give him a double. I think Baroot surprised connections when winning first time up here at the Carnival and with only a 4lb rise in the weights he can go in again. The much underrated Andre De Vries is on board again and I think we can expect another patient ride with a challenge delivered to perfection. There is a possibility that Baroot will recoil from that effort two weeks ago, but such was the authority of his win under a far from aggressive ride he should be able to back up here.
Good luck and remember to place your wagers at IdaBet.com!
