Neil Morrice previews the Dubai Turf Sponsored by DP World (Group 1) taking place on Dubai World Cup 2019 night at Meydan on Saturday 30th March 2019. Get your bets on now with Hollywoodbets.
Dubai Turf Sponsored by DP World (Group 1) – Preview
The build up to this has been all about Japanese superstar ALMOND EYE whose charisma on the track proved a highlight at the morning workouts. The hooded filly landed the Filly Triple Crown and the Japan Cup last year and although without a subsequent run is the Hollywoodbets unequivocal market leader at 5-4 for trainer Sakae Kunieda and jockey Christophe Lemaire.
With most of the 13-runner field quoted at big double figure prices, Godolphin’s DREAM CASTLE is the stand out threat to the favourite at 7-2 as he defends a three race unbeaten record at the Carnival for trainer Saeed Bin Suroor, successful in the same race 12 months ago with Benbatl.
Suroor is rightly respectful of what he might be taking on in Almond Eye, but at the same time there’s been a quiet note of confidence in his appraisal of Christophe Soumillon’s mount who after finishing fifth in the 2,000 Guineas two years ago lost his way completely. Some jockeys told Suroor they thought he was a sprinter but the man that matters is convinced he will get further than this nine furlongs later in the year.
WOOTTON had been working the house down when backed to beat Dream Castle on Super Saturday and while he didn’t manage that he’s entitled to progress, as it was his first start for Charlie Appleby. Wherever Dream Castle finishes, Wootton should be in the vicinity also.
DEIRDRE and VIVLOS form a very solid Japanese back up to Almond Eye with the former a tough and consistent mare for whom Brazilian sensation Joao Moreira is booked. She carries a frame finish ticket and so does VIVLOS, winner of this two years ago with Moreira in the plate. While not quite as good, the six-year-old should be competetive.
YULONG PRINCE was formerly a top notcher for Stuart Pettigrew in South Africa and also subject to a name change when he was sold. Now with Mike De Kock, he has trained well at Blue Roof stables and should be on the premises.
The large Japanese contingent at Meydan will not hear of defeat for Almond Eye who has excelled in her trackwork but DREAM CASTLE has been in a different zone since his trainer taught him how to relax. His potent turn of foot can prove the ace card at the business end.
Neil Morrice’s Predicted Finish
1st – DREAM CASTLE (Nap)
2nd – Almond Eye
3rd – Wootton
4th – Deirdre
5th – Vivlos
|
No
|
Horse
|
Odds
|
Jockey
|
Trainer
|
|
1
|
Southern Legend (AUS)
|
16/1
|
Zac Purton
|
C. Fownes
|
|
2
|
Dream Castle (GB)
|
7/2
|
C Soumillon
|
Saeed bin Suroor
|
|
3
|
Deirdre (JPN)
|
14/1
|
Joao Moreira
|
Mitsuru Hashida
|
|
4
|
Vivlos (JPN)
|
16/1
|
Mickael Barzalona
|
Yasuo Tomomichi
|
|
5
|
Majestic Mambo (SAF)
|
40/1
|
Anton Marcus
|
M. F. de Kock
|
|
6
|
Lord Glitters (FR)
|
20/1
|
Daniel Tudhope
|
David O’Meara
|
|
7
|
Almond Eye (JPN)
|
11/10
|
C-P Lemaire
|
Sakae Kunieda
|
|
8
|
I Can Fly (GB)
|
25/2
|
Ryan Moore
|
Aidan O’Brien
|
|
9
|
Mountain Hunter (USA)
|
50/1
|
Pat Cosgrave
|
Saeed bin Suroor
|
|
10
|
Yulong Prince (SAF)
|
40/1
|
B Fayd’herbe
|
M. F. de Kock
|
|
11
|
Century Dream (IRE)
|
33/1
|
Oisin Murphy
|
Simon Crisford
|
|
12
|
Without Parole (GB)
|
16/1
|
Frankie Dettori
|
John Gosden
|
|
13
|
Wootton (FR)
|
17/2
|
William Buick
|
Charlie Appleby
|
Betting is subject to change. E&OE.
