Race 6 – GROUP 1 DUBAI GOLDEN SHAHEEN (1200m, Tapeta)
A race which has not proven fruitful at all for Australian horses – we have had eight runners over the years, for not one placing. Our best result was Belle du Jour, who finished fourth in 2003.
As opposed to Sepoy last year, MENTAL races for the United Arab Emirates here. Perhaps that is his ticket to success! However, the fact is he has won on the Tapeta. That is a big asset when compared with Sepoy, who I believe was a better horse. I’m still not sure the race will pan out to suit Mental, but I obviously want to see Australian form stack up here so I’m hoping he can come out on top.
FREDERICK ENGELS interests me. A juvenile winner at Royal Ascot in 2011, he was sent to Hong Kong where he has had three starts – a win in a handicap, and two seconds to Eagle Regiment and Lucky Nine at Group 1 level. Interestingly, John Moore reckons he’s struggled to get him right and thinks he’s now in a good place. If so, perhaps Hong Kong could be getting their first winner on Dubai World Cup night since Joy and Fun won the Al Quoz Sprint in 2010.
The Americans have been fawning over TRINNIBERG, a small galloper who just tries his heart out. He won the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in November, only months after being well beaten in the Kentucky Derby. He’s looked well at trackwork and if he’s as big a trier as they make him out to be, he’ll be in the finish.
My good mate Pat Cummings, the best independent Dubai form analyst around, has been singing the praises of PRIVATE ZONE all week. I don’t like to listen to others when it comes to form, but I have to include him in my numbers. He’s been incredibly consistent in the United States, despite not winning. The connections sounded bullish on Wednesday morning – one, former jockey Rene Douglas, even said they wanted to take on Black Caviar. I’d want to see him win here to think he could get within five lengths of her.
Next best is last year’s winner KRYPTON FACTOR, who needs to improve on what he has done this season to be in with a chance.
10 – MENTAL
1 – FREDERICK ENGELS
3 – TRINNIBERG
12 – PRIVATE ZONE
Written by Andrew Hawkins – Get the latest Dubai World Cup updates by following him on twitter: @AndrewNJHawkins
