Neil Morrice walks you through the front runners for Saturday’s racing at Meydan. This will include the feature race analysis for the Bombardier British Hopped Amber Beer Lady Wulfruna Stakes and Al Maktoum Challenge R3 Sponsored By Emirates Airline.
Jebel Hatta Sponsored By Emirates Airline (Group 1)
Godolphin saddle five of the 13-strong field and without question The Charlie Appleby-trained BARNEY ROY is their number one. With few miles on the clock since landing the St James’s Palace Stakes as a 3yo the colt goes to post a fresh horse and he was mightily impressive in dispatching reopposing stablemate DREAM CASTLE on his Carnival debut in the Al Rashidiya.
It must be odds against Dream Castle coming back from that but he nevertheless looks the next best for the Boys In Blue. He was beaten just half a length in that triple photo and should put in another earning run.
SPOTIFY won twice at the 2019 Carnival and shaped well behind a proper Group 1 horse in GHAIYYATH on his comeback. If stepping up on that he should be on the premises.
MAGIC LILY has landed two Group 2s including the Balanchine over this course and distance, and as this is only a seventh career start for the filly she can make further progression, while of the roughies MASAARR is worth a second glance, even though his most recent form has been in handicaps.
Prediction
1st BARNEY ROY
2nd Dream Castle
3rd Spotify
4th Magic Lily
Al Maktoum Challenge R3 Sponsored By
Emirates Airline (Group 1)
MILITARY LAW has his sights on one of the big races on World Cup night and the stage is set for the Musabbeh Al Mheiri-trained runner to confirm his effectiveness on the dirt surface. He’s done nothing wrong so far, smoothly landing a Listed race before chasing home Benbatl in the previous leg of this Challenge, and there’s nothing of that class in the field.
MATTERHORN comes right into the equation after an earning debut for his new connections and can show improvement. He will need to find plenty if he’s to take down the favourite but his trainer is a master at getting extra from his horses in the races that matter.
QUIP has it to do with Matterhorn but his Grade 2 winning form in the US reads well, and he can also step up for trainer Doug Watson.
There could be some value in MARK OF APPROVAL whose US pedigree is perfect for this surface. The son of Lemon Drop Kid won well at Jebel Ali and is a big double figure price.
Prediction
1st MATTERHORN
2nd Military Law
3rd Mark Of Approval
4th Quip
Meydan ‘Super Saturday’ Best Bets
Race 1: ZABARDAST (11)
Trainer: S Ghadayer – Jockey: Mikael Barzalona
Stepping down from Group 3 to Listed, ZABARDAST can open his account and endorse the promise shown when he finished second in the UAE 2,000 Guineas. He has a better draw today, and might not have as much to do.
Race 3: SPACE BLUES (6)
Trainer: Charlie Appleby – Jockey: James Doyle
This Group 3 sprint gives SPACE BLUES a gilt-edged chance to make a winning return ahead of World Cup night. His placed effort in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville makes him a potential Group 1 performer, while he’s been working the house down in his preparation.
Race 7: DEFOE (2)
Trainer: Roger Varian – Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
DEFOE landed the prestigious Coronation Cup as well as the Hardwicke Stakes last year before unable to handle testing conditions in the King George at Ascot. He’s done well since being shipped to the desert and can pour class his rivals, with Desert Encounter one that should leave his recent disappointing run here behind and improve into the money.
