Meydan Overview & Selections – Week 1:
The Dubai International Carnival returns today and it will provide us with some superb action over the next three months. Horses that have raced here at the recent domestic fixtures will now mingle with the Godolphin battalions and foreign raiders. It makes for a heady mix of top class International action.
A six race card gets us underway with the Singspiel Stakes on the Turf and the Dubawi Stakes on dirt being the features.
I have four selections for you today. Whilst I am keen on them all it will pay to tread a little carefully with this being the first Carnival fixture.
9:30am (ET) Meydan: Ispolini
Charlie Appleby had a superb Carnival in 2018 and he can kick off this year with a winner here. Ispolini has had a break and been gelded, clearly with a campaign here in mind. He showed a decent level of form in the UK finishing second in the Sandown Classic Trial and fourth in the Chester Vase. Back in a handicap now off a mark of 105 he looks to be worth backing. He could have a tactical advantage here as he as a good draw in stall 2 and likes to stalk the pace and he should get a good tow through before attacking in the straight. I think he will have too much speed for some of his rivals here.
10:40am (ET) Meydan: Hit the Bid
This Irish raider fired a big Beyer style figure when winning on this track last year and if his recent Dundalk win is to be believed he is already showing that he is as good as last year. That win at Dundalk came in a very fast time and as long as he doesn’t recoil from that he will be very tough to beat here. He races off a mark of 110 which should be no bar to success as his win here last year was off 108. I fear Ibn Malik on the return to turf from dirt angle and he is sure to be sharp from the gates but I believe Hit the Bid will run him down.
11:15am (ET) Meydan: My Catch
This horse goes well fresh and comes here after a 10 month break. He is essentially a need to lead sprinter who likes the dirt. When pushed through tough fractions early on he tends to down tools. However there is a chance that he will be able to cross and clear his rivals from stall 4 here and land this valuable prize. He was 4th in a stronger renewal of this race last year behind Comicas and he can take advantage here of being able to get the lead in a weaker event. I remain interested in the talented Ravens Corner but he is drawn wide in stall 6 which could compromise his chance. He will have his day.
11:50am (ET) Meydan: Key Victory
This horse looks to be just the type to thrive in Dubai . He is a half-brother to Blair House who thrived here and there was an awful lot to like about his fast time win in a Novice Stakes at Newmarket in 2017 and his defeat of the useful Old Persian next time out. He has been given a break since running well having been poorly positioned in the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot and we could see a completely different horse here over 9 furlongs which looks to be the perfect trip for him. James Doyle will need to fashion a trip from stall 7 but this horse is not short of tactical pace which will be a big asset here.
Good luck and thank you for placing your carnival wagers at IdaBet.com!
