|
|
Post by tenfurlongs on Jan 3, 2023 8:28:04 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by cherokeescot on Jan 3, 2023 9:31:35 GMT -5
Six Godolphin runners in the opener but none in the Al Maktoum Challenge . They need a new Racing Manager !
|
|
|
|
Post by tenfurlongs on Jan 3, 2023 10:31:34 GMT -5
Six Godolphin runners in the opener but none in the Al Maktoum Challenge . They need a new Racing Manager ! #codyswish #proxy Dubawi = _grass.png) TW |
|
|
|
Post by tenfurlongs on Jan 4, 2023 8:33:54 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by tenfurlongs on Jan 5, 2023 14:40:19 GMT -5
MEY R2 (9:35am ET)- 1m4f Dubai Racing Club Classic (Handicap) (Turf) (4yo+) (90-108)
#2- Dhahabi (7-2) is a 5yo Frankel gelding that cost Godolphin just short of $4M at auction, as he is a half-brother to Derby/Arc winner Golden Horn. Stakes-placed as a 2yo, he missed his entire 3yo season with an injury, then ran two decent handicap races in the Spring of 2022 before being gelded, returning in September to run a distant third to GI-winning stablemate Adayar at level weights, then winning a Class 2 at today's distance. James Doyle gets the mount, PP8 isn't too bad, would like to see an alert start from him. #3- Walk of Stars (2-1) drew well in PP3, is William Buick's choice to ride. 4yo son of Dubawi shaped nicely as a Derby candidate last year, but was never better than mid-pack and eased to last at Epsom. Gelded after that effort, ran well in GIII at Newmarket but faded again moved up to GII company. Has a funny, awkward way of going and often seems uncomfortable during a race, not sold on him despite the drop in class. First try against older foes today. #4- Marching Army (7-2) goes for Saeed bin Suroor, usually runs prominently early, has never been this far and pedigree doesn't scream 12F, still a useful handicapper which improved last season. #6- Charging Thunder (20-1) is my crush horse in here for the Turnbulls/O'Meara/Tudhope, same connections as recently retired Meydan GI-hero Lord Glitters. 5yo has an enviable record of consistency (18/5-6-2), was mostly progressive as a 4yo and may still have a bit of improvement left. Fires fresh, drew well in PP5, lots to like at a price. #10- First Ruler (5-1) is lightly-raced (6/2-1-2), was a progressive 3yo which beat older horses at Ascot, then returned there to run third in a big $$ handicap stakes in September. PP11 doesn't help his chances, but surely he's open to improvement and Barzalona knows his way around the course here.
EX- 2,6/2,3,4,6,10 Result: 1,11,10,2 Race was run at a steady pace, but the well-bet ones had smooth trips and ran flat. Highweight #1- Enemy ($67.60), which appeared to want more distance than today, split horses in mid-stretch and always looked like the winner. Fine run by New Comedy (44-1), lightly-raced son of Sea The Stars sat second all the way around and stayed on very well for the runner-up spot. Formerly a Godolphin runner for Charlie Appleby, ironically, horse had a good third across town in the Abu Dhabi Championship prepping for today. I, of all people, should have paid more attention to this one. Exacta paid $651.50 for a buck, triple was $2808 for one dollar.
TW
|
|
|
|
Post by tenfurlongs on Jan 5, 2023 16:17:44 GMT -5
MEY R3 (10:10am ET)- 6f Dubawi Stakes (Group 3) (Dirt) (3yo+)
So #11- Switzerland (2-1) won the $2M Dubai Golden Shaheen (GI) last season on World Cup night, and won this race on seasonal debut in 2021. Having said that, he's also run some duds here, and clearly this is not the big target for the year. He drew the rail, which could be a problem if he gets trapped down there turning in. 9yo doesn't have to win this. #3- Canvassed (8-1) likes it here, had a prep last month to clean the rust, still low-mileage as an 8yo. Watson knows how to win at Meydan better than anyone, depends if he's all-in to win today, with two other GIIIs going 6F in February and March. Cozy draw in PP4, taking a positive view. #7- Manjeer (15-1) is an infrequent exacta guest, but has held his form for the most part for the last two years, and was 2nd in a GIII on Super Saturday in 2022. Nice AW prep in Deauville last month against some good ones. PP6 is okay. #9- Mubakker (6-1) looks like the better Watson trainee for today, likes it here and is a 6F dude. Drew PP2.
EXBOX- 3,7,9,11 Result: 11,9,1,3 Exacta $12.40 Fast-paced event with a fairly strung out field for a sprint. Switzerland ($5.60) had plenty of room and came to the fore down the long stretch and won in hand. Mubakker was bet down to 7-2, ran like it for second.
MEY R4 (10:45am ET)- 7f Jumeirah Classic Trial (Conditions) (Turf) (3yo)
Newly-turned 3yos from many countries, of many different abilities. #4- Bay of Plenty (5-2) runs for my buddy Johnny Murtagh, won his debut at Naas, then finished off the season with a close up fourth in a GIII at Leopardstown. #5- Courageous Knight (5-2) looks to be the right Godolphin runner, reasonably progressive as a 2yo and 7F should be a good place to start his sophomore campaign.
EX- 4,5/4,5,6,7 Result: 1,6,7,3 S.Am. runner #1- Long Kiss ($67.40) carried 9-14lbs more than the rest due to his age advantage, but that didn't stop him in his turf debut. Had a SW turf runner sibling in Brazil, and two dirt preps here sharpening up for today. Easy game in hindsight, sometimes.
TW
|
|
|
|
Post by tenfurlongs on Jan 6, 2023 8:23:05 GMT -5
MEY R5 (11:20am ET)- 1m Al Maktoum Challenge R1 (Group 2) (Dirt) (3yo+)
It's like watching Captain Renault at the end of Casablanca. "Round up the usual suspects!" #5- Desert Wisdom (5-2) loved it here last season, going (4/1-3-0) in mile dirt races, winning a GIII and finishing runner-up in the Godolphin Mile (GII). 5yo with eight career starts is spry compared to many of these, and a rare Dubawi that handles dirt at a high level, though I suspect that comes from his damside (Pivotal.) Not risking much on Round 1 with better prizes ahead.
EX- 5/7,9,13,14 Result: 1,6,7,14 Favored #1- Algiers ($7.80) in an absolute romp. Simon Crisford, former Godolphin racing manager for 20+ years, knows a thing or two about winning here. Discovery Island and Everfast continued their runs of good form in Dubai while never threatening the winner. Hittable exacta and triple paid $88.60, $784.20 for a buck. Ouch.
MEY R6 (11:55am ET)- 7f Al Fahidi Fort (Group 2) (Turf) (3yo+)
Underwhelming field assembled for a GII worth $180,000. Captain Obvious likes #11- Noble Truth (2-1) for Godolphin/Appleby/Buick which won two 7F stakes last Spring in GB before going to the sidelines. Appleby hinted that whatever today's outcome, the horse would be better next time. Not exactly a ringing endorsement. Treading lightly with triples.
TRI- 11/3,6,10,13,15/3,6,10,13,15 Result: 2,3,13,7 Noble Truth went to the front from his wide draw, got caught up in a very hot pace and faded badly. Stablemate #2- Al Suhail ($20.40) roared home in track-record time.
MEY R7 (12:30pm ET)- 5f Ertijaal Dubai Dash (Listed Race) (Turf) (3yo+) (90-115)
Hoping to beat some of the big guns that would prefer to win the GII & GI turf sprints later in the meet. #7- Khaadem (6-1) had two GSW over 5F last year, wants good ground and fires fresh. #9- Mutaraffa (8-1) has pointed to this race each of the last two years, finishing second in 2021 and winning last year. Consistent runner had two dirt runs to sharpen him for today. Might be worth a separate win/place bet if the m/l odds hold. Spreading wide underneath looking for a payday.
EX- 7,9/1,2,3,7,8,9,10,11,15 Result: 1,3,13,15 Godolphin runs 1-2 with #1- Lazuli ($7.60) outgaming his stablemate Man of Promise at the trip which suits the former best. Nice finish to the night for jockey James Doyle, winning the last three stakes on the card. Mutaraffa missed the break completely and his night was over.
Tough day at the office. $56 in, $12.40 out. Loss: $43.60
TW
|
|
|
|
Post by tenfurlongs on Jan 6, 2023 8:25:05 GMT -5
|
|
1hooper
UpInClass Steward
Posts: 5,244
|
Post by 1hooper on Jan 6, 2023 9:09:44 GMT -5
$4,000 in the win pool for R1 at XPressbet. Arabians G1.
PP's I had for the race were questionable at best.
|
|
|
|
Post by tenfurlongs on Jan 6, 2023 9:16:56 GMT -5
$4,000 in the win pool for R1 at XPressbet. Arabians G1. PP's I had for the race were questionable at best. Friends don't let friends bet Arabians...lol. New track record though, impressive. Party at Fawzi Nass' place tonight! TW |
|
1hooper
UpInClass Steward
Posts: 5,244
|
Post by 1hooper on Jan 6, 2023 9:22:37 GMT -5
I'm crazy but not crazy enough to bet that race. My PP's had 3 first time starters and 6 with only 1 lifetime start!
|
|
|
|
Post by tenfurlongs on Jan 6, 2023 10:41:27 GMT -5
FWIW, #4- Bay of Plenty is (3-1) in GB, and (15-1) on twinspires with 5mtp.
TW
|
|
.jpg)
