Meydan Overview & Selections – Week 6:
D’Bai was a winner last week at Meydan in this Thursday column, narrowly prevailing under a confident ride from William Buick. That result edged Buick ahead of Frankie Dettori in the Dubai World Cup Carnival Jockeys’ Championship at Meydan last week but I am banking the latter hitting back in the second race on Thursday.
With all thoroughbred races being run on the Turf this week, the blue of Godolphin look set to dominate and three of my selections sport those colours. My other selection is an international raider who just needs a decent trip in a competitive handicap.
10:05am ET Meydan: Dubai Mirage
This horse was beaten a nose by the talented yet unpredictable Bedouin’s Story last time out, but he can go one better here with plenty now in his favour. He steps up to nine furlongs here, which looks sure to suit him given his dam was useful at up to 11 furlongs. He is much more favourably positioned in stall 1, and after drawing stall 15 last week when not getting the best of trips but still running well. Frankie Dettori takes over from Hector Crouch in the saddle. He looks sure to get a good stalking trip, and the fact that he has gone up 2lbs is surely offset by the potential advantages this time. He should be backed with some confidence.
11:15am ET Meydan: Ispolini
He won this race by over 10 lengths in 2019 and then finished a creditable second in the Dubai Gold Cup to Cross Counter. He has won a Group Three in Germany since, but proved to be somewhat disappointing last year in a handful of runs. However, there were definite signs of a return to form last time. He finished fourth in a Listed handicap behind Dubai Future here three weeks ago, but he shaped a good deal better than the bare result. He was still travelling strongly two furlongs out but got stuck in traffic with nowhere to...