MEY R2 (7:05am ET)-
1m4f Dubai City Of Gold (Group 2) (Turf) (3yo+)www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-03-04/834352Not the strongest GII race, especially with the scratch of Rebel's Romance. Six of the fourteen runners were outright tosses for me, and two others have course, distance, PP, or form questions. Godolphin holds a pretty solid hand in here.
#4- Global Heat (15-1) was fifth in this event last year, and has since nibbled around the edges while always running his race. Won here three back going a bit farther, but 12F suits. Drew nicely in PP4. Trainer adds blinkers, puts Tudhope aboard who has been his go-to lately. Horse hits the frame a lot but rarely wins, but note that two of his wins came here. Possibly the best price of the four Godolphins.
#6- Kemari (5-1) gets PP5, James Doyle in the saddle. No match for stablemate Siskany in GIII last out, but he should be better with that run under his belt. GII-winner as a 3yo, but has yet to regain that form. Might find himself in front turning for home and get brave.
#5- Global Storm (10-1?) was third in this race last year, has been off since September and drew way outside in PP12. Not sure if he's all in today, but Buick takes the mount. Prepping for Sheema Classic (GI) in three weeks time?
#14- White Wolf (20-1) is very interesting. Tried him on dirt in last as he is two-for-two on AW, but he hated it. Just headed for the win in the Zabeel Turf here previously, and wasn't embarrassed by Epsom Derby winner Desert Crown in second career start, in a GII. Trainer bin Suroor said he really likes this horse, so if the dirt race didn't set him back, a return to turf should send him forward. If he's double-digit odds, I'll have a win saver.
EX- 4,6/1,4,5,6,10,14 WIN- 14
MEY R3(7:40am ET)- 1m Burj Nahaar (Group 3) (Dirt) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-03-04/834353As wide-open a race as you'll see. Sixteen runners at a mile on dirt. I couldn't even tell you who the favorite will be.
#5- Everfast (8-1) fun fact: was second in the 2019 Preakness. He's been pretty consistent since coming to Dubai, and has rounded into form this term with a good second to Prince Eiji (scratched from this) in the Firebreak S. (GIII) over C&D when last seen. Gets blinkers, drew nicely in PP4, could surprise this group.
#14- Secret Ambition (3-1) should be the favorite, 10yo horse has a storied history over this dirt track, returning to form after two Group-race preps for this. Seemar/O'Shea look to turn the clock back one more time, wouldn't bet against it happening. Spread race if there ever was one.
EX- 5,14/1,4,5,6,13,14,17
MEY R4 (8:15am ET)- 6f Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint (Group 3) (Turf) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-03-04/834354Another wide-open headscratcher with some of these focused on the Al Quoz Sprint (GI) in three weeks at six-times the purse money.
#3- City Walk (7-1) is the lone Godolphin hope, from bin Suroor with that man Tudhope steering. Narrowly won a big field (16) handicap last time, from the same PP10 as today. High # draws are preferred in turf sprints here, first four finishers in that race came from 10, 11, 12, 14, for example. Moves up in class but deserves the opportunity, has won four of his last eight starts. 6F is his jam. Taking a flyer with
#8- Khaadem (12-1) for Charlie Hills, who adds blinkers for this. Drew very well in PP13, needs an alert start today. Class of the field (GII-winner) IMO, needs his A-game. Spreading again.
EX- 3,8/2,3,8,12,14,15,16
MEY R5 (8:50am ET)- 1m1½f Al Bastakiya (Listed Race) (Dirt) (3yo)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-03-04/834355PASS
MEY R6 (9:25am ET)- 1m2f Al Maktoum Challenge R3 (Group 1) (Dirt) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-03-04/834356Group 1 in name only.
#3- Bendoog (5-2) pretty much lays over this field, with James Doyle taking the mount. Consistent sort drew well in PP4, and Remorse and Algiers are waiting for World Cup night.
EX- 3/7,13,14
MEY R7 (10:10am ET)- 7f Ras Al Khor (Conditions) (Turf) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-03-04/834357#2- Al Suhail (9-5) won the GII Al Fahidi Fort on opening night, and has been given plenty of time since as he goes well when fresh. Anything close to that race wins this.
TRI- 2/3,5,9/3,4,5,7,9,12
MEY R8 (10:45am ET)- 1m1f Jebel Hatta (Group 1) (Turf) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-03-04/834358#10- Master of the Seas (3-1) won the Zabeel Mile (GII) here in January, goes well fresh, Appleby seemed confident.
#15- Valiant Prince (9-2) drew poorly in PP14, but is undefeated in four tries here, including two GIIs. Saeed bin Suroor cautioned against expecting a prime effort from Real World today, he's pointing towards World Cup night.
EX- 10,15/1,3,4,10,12,13,14,15
MEY R9 (11:20am ET)- 6f Mahab Al Shimaal (Group 3) (Dirt) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-03-04/834359#2- Colour Up (6-1) has been extremely progressive this season, faces some tough veterans but still has some improvement in him.
WIN- 2
TW