Meydan Overview & Selections – Week 1:
The return of the Dubai International Carnival this Thursday has put a real spring in my step and I am looking forward to covering every Carnival race leading up to the Dubai World Cup itself at the end of March .
The domestic season in the UAE is already well underway and those fixtures have provided some very competitive dirt action . It appears to me that most local trainers have looked to recruit proper dirt bred horses and this will make for some competitive fare. In years gone by it was easy to identify horses who should not be racing on the dirt and thus narrow down the potential number of live players . With trainers becoming a lot wiser as to what is required to win on the dirt at Meydan that narrowing down process has become much tougher . It will make for some fantastic action which this week is headed up by the 6 furlong Dubawi Stakes where last year’s winner Drafted heads a decent field.
As there will be most weeks, four selections for you.
9.30am Meydan – Final Song
With a mark of 103 this filly already sets a decent standard in a division that tends to be notoriously weak. She won on her debut at Ascot and thereafter kept very good company running in two Group two contests and one Group three. She acquitted herself well albeit a little outclassed in those contests and now effectively steps down in grade trying the dirt for the first time. This begs the question as to whether she will handle the surface ? A classy and fast pedigree only gives a modicum of hope that a dirt surface will suit but what encourages me is her style of racing . She has a lot of speed and that is crucial on dirt . She made all to win at Ascot on debut and in her other starts showed a high cruising speed. This is an important quality when it comes to dirt racing and should enable her to adopt a handy position out of the kickback. Stall 11 is not an...
