Dubai World Cup Carnival- Friday 1/13
Jan 10, 2023 8:18:18 GMT -5
Post by tenfurlongs on Jan 10, 2023 8:18:18 GMT -5
Pretty quiet day outside of the GII Al Rashidiya.
Lessons from week one:
1) Class is always important; there's a reason you're the highweight in a handicap, or well-suited to the race you are in.
2) Horses that have run well at Meydan should be upgraded in your handicapping. Horses that have never run there before still have to prove that they can handle the surface; some don't, so proceed with caution.
3) Shippers from continental Europe (Google map) don't often run well here (see (2) above); recently, South American shippers have done very well, especially on dirt (check pedigrees).
4) Not every horse will be all-in for today's race, with a loftier goal later in the Carnival. Distances (short-of-best today, for later stretchout) & jockey bookings can be telling.
MEY R1 (9:00am ET)- 1m Azizi Mina (Handicap) (Dirt) (3yo+) (90-108)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-01-13/830894
#2- Quality Boone (6-1) ran four excellent races at Meydan last season, including a third in the 2000 Guineas (GIII). 8F-9F appears to be his best trip, but he's been off since March, so not sure what to expect. Class of the field.
EX- 2/1,4 Result: 4,1,10 Royal Mews ($9.60) outgamed Down on Da Bayou in a terrific stretch battle. Quality Boone was off slowly, but came around the outside of the field and finished well while never threatening for the win. Nice return race, should improve next time stretching out. I should have just boxed my three with the questions about Quality Boone, rookie mistake.
MEY R2 (9:35am ET)- 6f Al Wasl Stakes (Conditions) (Turf) (3yo)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-01-13/830895
Fun fact: this race offers the lowest purse $$ for any turf race during the entire ten weeks at Meydan. Don't invest much of yours.
#6- Princeville (7-2) offers the best form in a race without much on display, although you could make the argument that he may be a bit better on AW (or dirt) based on his pedigree. #2- Al Dasim (3-1) was a very consistent 5F dash runner for George Boughey (remember that name) as a 2yo (8/3-3-0), and scored a solid victory at 6F on the AW last time out. #3- Al Khazneh (6-1) was a close-up fourth in the $150,000 Jumeriah Classic Trial last week, now drops back to 6F where he has a better record. #1- Fast-Uno (5-2) is one of those S.A.-types that can surprise here, but I'll let him beat me at a short price and a low draw.
EXBOX- 2,3,6 Result : 2,1,9 Al Dasim ($4.80) looked like the winner every step of the way, with Barzalona sitting quietly on him while the rest flailed about, drew away like a good horse. Will not be the last time you see George Boughey on a winner's platform this year. Al Khazneh wore a blindfold into the gate, got off poorly. Princeville was mid-pack and didn't offer much of a finish, still think his future may lie on the AW or dirt.
MEY R3 (10:10am ET)- 7f UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (Conditions) (Dirt) (3yo)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-01-13/830896
The S.A. runners may come back to bite me, but I think #6- Royal Dubai (7-1) is an absolute standout in here for Bhupat Seemar. Won his only career start over C&D, demolishing a field of 15 by almost seven lengths, and the connecting form between Seyouff, Sharp Army and Morning frank that result.
WIN- 6 EX- 6/5,7 Result: 8,3,7 Tiger Nation ($15.40) dueled at the front from his rail draw, started to assert himself into the stretch and was the easiest of winners. Barzalona now a nose short of the first three winners on the card. Royal Dubai got upset in the stalls, broke slowly and trailed badly. Favored Loreley was washier than a laundry going to post, ran like it.
MEY R4 (10:45am ET)- 7f Ipi Tombe Stakes (Conditions) (Fillies & Mares) (Turf) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-01-13/830897
This newly-added race appears to be a prep for the Cape Verdi (GII) in early February. #3- Soft Whisper (5-2) has excellent form everywhere but at Meydan, hard to use at all. #9- Wild Beauty (3-1) is the class of the field, won the Natalma S. (GI) as a 2yo at Woodbine, then won an early season GIII last year before heading to the sidelines in May. Has never run here, but at least shipped well to Canada. Still some questions to answer today. #6- Nizaaka (10-1) is more exposed than some of these, but has been very consistent at 7F over good ground. Jane Chapple-Hyam has had some good runners at this venue previously, and reaches out to Saffie Osborne for the mount, nice one-day vacation for her from 'shite' English weather. Easy to get this one wrong.
WIN- 6 EX- 6,9/2,3,5,6,9 Result: 3,8,7 Hard not to notice that the Appleby Godolphins have been underwhelming at the Carnival for the most part, although this race was designed as a prep for later challenges. Saeed bin Suroor runs one-two with Soft Whisper ($5.80) outdueling her stablemate at the finish. Maybe the class relief was all it took to run well at this venue. Nizaaka ran pretty well for a 30-1 shot, was fourth in mid-stretch and kept on at the finish. Wild Beauty ran okay for fourth, should definitely improve for the Cape Verdi.
MEY R5 (11:20am ET)- 1m1f Al Rashidiya (Group 2) (Turf) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-01-13/830898
After #10- Ottoman Fleet (2-1), which is a standout on his highly-progressive form, any number of these could fill out the first three positions. #1- Dubai Future (9-2) likes the course (10/3-3-0), had an excellent summer in GB, then won the Bahrain International Trophy (GIII) on his way here. #11- Zagrey (8-1) won three of four turf starts in France last year, with only My Prospero finishing ahead of him in the GII Prix Eugene Adam. If he shows up here he figures to be very well meant, and the presence of Christophe Soumillon in the saddle adds to that feeling. Clumsy exacta bet, but if a price horse can get second it may look a lot better.
EX- 1,10,11/1,3,6,7,8,10,11 Result: 8,1,10,11 Valiant Prince ($10.00) is now 3-for-3 at Meydan, taking a big step forward winning in Group-company. Dubai Future was also forwardly-placed in a slow paced affair, showed his affinity for the course once again. Ottoman Fleet ran well without threatening the top two, guess he has bigger things on his plate. Godolphin blue 1-2-3, and Zagrey ran on pretty well late from off the pace.
MEY R6 (11:55am ET)- 1m2f Thunder Snow Challenge (Conditions) (Dirt) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-01-13/830899
If you didn't run in The Entisar, the 10F prep for this, you are probably an also-ran today. #11- Bendoog (3-1) has done little wrong in six career starts, but gets hung out in PP9 while his re-opposing rival #3- First Constitution (5-1) drew PP4 and can slot over to the rail easily behind King of the Match (PP1) and Secret Victory (PP3), which figure to go on with it from the gate. That was First Constitution's first start since June when he was in the Todd Pletcher barn. He's lightly-raced, so he may have some improvement still to come, and he's already a Listed stake winner at 11F on dirt. Lots to like today.
WIN- 3 Result: 8,2,11 Feel-good result as Salute the Soldier ($19.00) regained his form here (now 10/4-0-1) and ran from the lead every step of the way through solid fractions. If you could draw a line through his 2022 Carnival, he was by far the classiest runner in the race. Bendoog dueled with the winner most of the way, but dropped away late as Atletico El Culano stormed home from the clouds to grab second at 22-1. Exacta came back a suspiciously small $267.00. First Constitution was eased on the far turn, clearly had an issue.
MEY R7 (12:30pm ET)- 1m Azizi Riviera (Handicap) (Turf) (3yo+) (90-108)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-01-13/830900
Wide open finale, with 16 runners, and some of the better ones drawn wide. #3- Positive Impact (6-1) is one of those (PP16), but he sports consistent form (8/1-4-2) if not the killer instinct. Usually ridden for speed, Barzalona will have his work cut out for him. #13- Ouzo (15-1) drew PP6, hasn't won a race in last two years but faced the best handicappers in GB all year in 2022, this should seem much easier for him today. Saffie rides for her dad, would be a good story to end out the day.
WIN- 13 EX- 3,13/2,3,9,10,13,14 Result: 2,1,13 Electrical Storm ($12.00) won the minor Nad Al Sheba Classic here in December before the start of the Carnival, and parlayed that success into a double under a clever ride by Danny Tudhope, his second win on the evening. Couldn't see this one on the turnback, but never underestimate Saeed bin Suroor on his home turf (or dirt.) Saffie Osborne rode a good race whilst trapped between runners, finally getting a lane at the top of the stretch and making a race out of it. Definitely a bet back. 5-1,85-1,14-1 so that should be a tasty triple! {triple paid $6917 for a buck}
Pitched a shutout for the day, but understood most of the results, that's all I ask for. The coverage of the races here is superior to most others, shy Royal Ascot, always good stuff.
Bet: $66.00 Won: nada Loss: -$66.00 Meet record// Bet: $122.00 Won: $12.40 Loss: $109.60
TW
Lessons from week one:
1) Class is always important; there's a reason you're the highweight in a handicap, or well-suited to the race you are in.
2) Horses that have run well at Meydan should be upgraded in your handicapping. Horses that have never run there before still have to prove that they can handle the surface; some don't, so proceed with caution.
3) Shippers from continental Europe (Google map) don't often run well here (see (2) above); recently, South American shippers have done very well, especially on dirt (check pedigrees).
4) Not every horse will be all-in for today's race, with a loftier goal later in the Carnival. Distances (short-of-best today, for later stretchout) & jockey bookings can be telling.
MEY R1 (9:00am ET)- 1m Azizi Mina (Handicap) (Dirt) (3yo+) (90-108)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-01-13/830894
#2- Quality Boone (6-1) ran four excellent races at Meydan last season, including a third in the 2000 Guineas (GIII). 8F-9F appears to be his best trip, but he's been off since March, so not sure what to expect. Class of the field.
EX- 2/1,4 Result: 4,1,10 Royal Mews ($9.60) outgamed Down on Da Bayou in a terrific stretch battle. Quality Boone was off slowly, but came around the outside of the field and finished well while never threatening for the win. Nice return race, should improve next time stretching out. I should have just boxed my three with the questions about Quality Boone, rookie mistake.
MEY R2 (9:35am ET)- 6f Al Wasl Stakes (Conditions) (Turf) (3yo)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-01-13/830895
Fun fact: this race offers the lowest purse $$ for any turf race during the entire ten weeks at Meydan. Don't invest much of yours.
#6- Princeville (7-2) offers the best form in a race without much on display, although you could make the argument that he may be a bit better on AW (or dirt) based on his pedigree. #2- Al Dasim (3-1) was a very consistent 5F dash runner for George Boughey (remember that name) as a 2yo (8/3-3-0), and scored a solid victory at 6F on the AW last time out. #3- Al Khazneh (6-1) was a close-up fourth in the $150,000 Jumeriah Classic Trial last week, now drops back to 6F where he has a better record. #1- Fast-Uno (5-2) is one of those S.A.-types that can surprise here, but I'll let him beat me at a short price and a low draw.
EXBOX- 2,3,6 Result : 2,1,9 Al Dasim ($4.80) looked like the winner every step of the way, with Barzalona sitting quietly on him while the rest flailed about, drew away like a good horse. Will not be the last time you see George Boughey on a winner's platform this year. Al Khazneh wore a blindfold into the gate, got off poorly. Princeville was mid-pack and didn't offer much of a finish, still think his future may lie on the AW or dirt.
MEY R3 (10:10am ET)- 7f UAE 2000 Guineas Trial (Conditions) (Dirt) (3yo)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-01-13/830896
The S.A. runners may come back to bite me, but I think #6- Royal Dubai (7-1) is an absolute standout in here for Bhupat Seemar. Won his only career start over C&D, demolishing a field of 15 by almost seven lengths, and the connecting form between Seyouff, Sharp Army and Morning frank that result.
WIN- 6 EX- 6/5,7 Result: 8,3,7 Tiger Nation ($15.40) dueled at the front from his rail draw, started to assert himself into the stretch and was the easiest of winners. Barzalona now a nose short of the first three winners on the card. Royal Dubai got upset in the stalls, broke slowly and trailed badly. Favored Loreley was washier than a laundry going to post, ran like it.
MEY R4 (10:45am ET)- 7f Ipi Tombe Stakes (Conditions) (Fillies & Mares) (Turf) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-01-13/830897
This newly-added race appears to be a prep for the Cape Verdi (GII) in early February. #3- Soft Whisper (5-2) has excellent form everywhere but at Meydan, hard to use at all. #9- Wild Beauty (3-1) is the class of the field, won the Natalma S. (GI) as a 2yo at Woodbine, then won an early season GIII last year before heading to the sidelines in May. Has never run here, but at least shipped well to Canada. Still some questions to answer today. #6- Nizaaka (10-1) is more exposed than some of these, but has been very consistent at 7F over good ground. Jane Chapple-Hyam has had some good runners at this venue previously, and reaches out to Saffie Osborne for the mount, nice one-day vacation for her from 'shite' English weather. Easy to get this one wrong.
WIN- 6 EX- 6,9/2,3,5,6,9 Result: 3,8,7 Hard not to notice that the Appleby Godolphins have been underwhelming at the Carnival for the most part, although this race was designed as a prep for later challenges. Saeed bin Suroor runs one-two with Soft Whisper ($5.80) outdueling her stablemate at the finish. Maybe the class relief was all it took to run well at this venue. Nizaaka ran pretty well for a 30-1 shot, was fourth in mid-stretch and kept on at the finish. Wild Beauty ran okay for fourth, should definitely improve for the Cape Verdi.
MEY R5 (11:20am ET)- 1m1f Al Rashidiya (Group 2) (Turf) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-01-13/830898
After #10- Ottoman Fleet (2-1), which is a standout on his highly-progressive form, any number of these could fill out the first three positions. #1- Dubai Future (9-2) likes the course (10/3-3-0), had an excellent summer in GB, then won the Bahrain International Trophy (GIII) on his way here. #11- Zagrey (8-1) won three of four turf starts in France last year, with only My Prospero finishing ahead of him in the GII Prix Eugene Adam. If he shows up here he figures to be very well meant, and the presence of Christophe Soumillon in the saddle adds to that feeling. Clumsy exacta bet, but if a price horse can get second it may look a lot better.
EX- 1,10,11/1,3,6,7,8,10,11 Result: 8,1,10,11 Valiant Prince ($10.00) is now 3-for-3 at Meydan, taking a big step forward winning in Group-company. Dubai Future was also forwardly-placed in a slow paced affair, showed his affinity for the course once again. Ottoman Fleet ran well without threatening the top two, guess he has bigger things on his plate. Godolphin blue 1-2-3, and Zagrey ran on pretty well late from off the pace.
MEY R6 (11:55am ET)- 1m2f Thunder Snow Challenge (Conditions) (Dirt) (3yo+)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-01-13/830899
If you didn't run in The Entisar, the 10F prep for this, you are probably an also-ran today. #11- Bendoog (3-1) has done little wrong in six career starts, but gets hung out in PP9 while his re-opposing rival #3- First Constitution (5-1) drew PP4 and can slot over to the rail easily behind King of the Match (PP1) and Secret Victory (PP3), which figure to go on with it from the gate. That was First Constitution's first start since June when he was in the Todd Pletcher barn. He's lightly-raced, so he may have some improvement still to come, and he's already a Listed stake winner at 11F on dirt. Lots to like today.
WIN- 3 Result: 8,2,11 Feel-good result as Salute the Soldier ($19.00) regained his form here (now 10/4-0-1) and ran from the lead every step of the way through solid fractions. If you could draw a line through his 2022 Carnival, he was by far the classiest runner in the race. Bendoog dueled with the winner most of the way, but dropped away late as Atletico El Culano stormed home from the clouds to grab second at 22-1. Exacta came back a suspiciously small $267.00. First Constitution was eased on the far turn, clearly had an issue.
MEY R7 (12:30pm ET)- 1m Azizi Riviera (Handicap) (Turf) (3yo+) (90-108)
www.racingpost.com/racecards/1231/meydan/2023-01-13/830900
Wide open finale, with 16 runners, and some of the better ones drawn wide. #3- Positive Impact (6-1) is one of those (PP16), but he sports consistent form (8/1-4-2) if not the killer instinct. Usually ridden for speed, Barzalona will have his work cut out for him. #13- Ouzo (15-1) drew PP6, hasn't won a race in last two years but faced the best handicappers in GB all year in 2022, this should seem much easier for him today. Saffie rides for her dad, would be a good story to end out the day.
WIN- 13 EX- 3,13/2,3,9,10,13,14 Result: 2,1,13 Electrical Storm ($12.00) won the minor Nad Al Sheba Classic here in December before the start of the Carnival, and parlayed that success into a double under a clever ride by Danny Tudhope, his second win on the evening. Couldn't see this one on the turnback, but never underestimate Saeed bin Suroor on his home turf (or dirt.) Saffie Osborne rode a good race whilst trapped between runners, finally getting a lane at the top of the stretch and making a race out of it. Definitely a bet back. 5-1,85-1,14-1 so that should be a tasty triple! {triple paid $6917 for a buck}
Pitched a shutout for the day, but understood most of the results, that's all I ask for. The coverage of the races here is superior to most others, shy Royal Ascot, always good stuff.
Bet: $66.00 Won: nada Loss: -$66.00 Meet record// Bet: $122.00 Won: $12.40 Loss: $109.60
TW