This weekend the racing world’s eyes are fixed on the Arabian desert for the Dubai World Cup at Meydan. I arrived in Dubai yesterday to attend a couple of scheduled meetings held by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities and the Asian Racing Federation, before enjoying what will be a spectacular afternoon and evening of sport at Meydan today. Once again we have a few Hong Kong runners seeking international Group 1 glory at Meydan this year. Although some have pointed out that our tally of three horses is slightly fewer than in the past, I think our three challengers each have the necessary capability if everything goes on smoothly.
Although my schedule in Dubai does not allow me to squeeze in some time to attend trackwork at Meydan, I have kept close eye on the latest updates here. I believe many local racing fans, like me, have been closely following the latest news about Eagle Regiment. Similar to last year, he has again suffered a blip in his pre-race preparation for the Al Quoz Sprint after arriving in Dubai. This time he has suffered a hoof injury to his left fore and with this horse likely to start as one of the race favourites for the race, it’s a shame that he has not had a clear preparation into the race. The vet passed Eagle Regiment fit to race yesterday and hopefully this small problem will not affect his condition in the race, and I have my fingers crossed that he can show the world what a good horse he is.
Personally I would give some particular attention to Joy And Fun, another Hong Kong runner in the Al Quoz Sprint. His trainer Derek Cruz has said that this will almost certainly be the veteran sprinter’s farewell race before his retirement. The popular nine-year-old won the HKG1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize last year, and although he has not won at international Group 1 race so far, he has accrued a lot of travel miles in recent years. His past five overseas endeavours have twice taken him to the Royal Ascot meeting in the UK, twice to Dubai and once to Singapore. Dubai is a particularly successful destination for him as he won the Al Quoz Sprint when it was staged as a 1200m G3 event in 2010, and he also ran third in the race last year in its current form as a G1 over 1000m. Let’s see if he can get to the top for his possible swansong, and his third participation in this race tonight.
I know that John Moore also has great confidence in Frederick Engels and believes the sprinter will deliver a big run in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. Over the past few years John has prepped horses like Viva Pataca, One World and Sunny King for the World Cup meeting, with each achieving a place finish. I hope he can go a step further this time and secure his first top-class success overseas. From what I have heard, the American front-runner Trinniberg, as well as smart home-based sprinter Mental and Mahab Al Shimaal winner Reynaldothewizard, are all in top condition. So hopefully the Hong Kong horse can get a good tow into the race and one thing is certain, I will be cheering loudly for him and our other two Hong Kong runners from Meydan’s grandstand this evening.
Apart from the Hong Kong horses, South African runner The Apache, partly owned by Hong Kong-based Winston Chow – whose family owned the former HK champion Vengeance Of Rain who won the 2007 Dubai Sheema Classic here – will also be running at the meeting, in the Dubai Duty Free. This Chow part-owned horse has been entered for the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup and I will be watching closely to see how he performs in this G1 event.
For my analysis, I think Eagle Regiment will have his chance in the Al Quoz Sprint, but Shea Shea is clearly the one to beat after his sensational win over the same course and distance three weeks ago. Varsity and Sole Power each have a place chance. Joy And Fun has a history of running well in this race and though his recent form is short of his best, you have to respect his ability to rise to the occasion.
In the Golden Shaheen Frederick Engels has a big chance if he can handle the Tapeta surface. He is in excellent form and should get a good position in midfield. Trinniberg will lead and is first up since winning the Breeders' Cup Sprint on the dirt five months ago. Like Frederick Engels, this will be his first run on a synthetic track. His form is all dirt and while he is the race favorite, I have my doubts. Mental runs in the Godolphin blue and is proven over the course and distance. Gordon Lord Byron, 4th in the LONGINES Hong Kong Mile, is another runner with good form on synthetic tracks and at the distance, but this is his first try at Meydan.
For the evening’s highlight, the US$10 million Dubai World Cup, the USA accounts for three of the 12 runners but it should be noted that the one-time dominant Americans are only 1-for-25 in Dubai since the big races here shifting to the synthetic Tapeta surface in Meydan. 2011 Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom, however, has shown the rare versatility to be effective on turf, dirt and synthetic surfaces at distances ranging from 1600 to 2000m. He has finished first or second in all but one of his ten races, and has won two of three on synthetic. He will be an interesting runner with good value in this race.
No female runner has ever won the World Cup previously, but Royal Delta, a two-time Breeders' Cup winner, will have a real opportunity tonight. She has won multiple G1 races and has won 10 of 16 in her career. Her running style should suit as she is likely to lead.
With the late scratching of last year’s World Cup winner Monterosso, the Godolphin home team will be represented by Hunter's Light and African Story, both of which excel on the surface. Hunter's Light may have the best chance. He will be well placed just behind the leaders and that is generally the place to be in this race since the introduction of the new surface.
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