The 1000m dash at Meydan is called the Al Quoz Sprint and it's worth a cool million USD. Casting a close eye over the field is regular contributor Jon da Silva, @creamontop.
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Al Quoz Sprint
Straight 5f, some suggestion high numbers preferable.
Shea Shea has the highest Official Rating and Racing Post Rating by three and two pounds respectively (source RP) however he is 5/4 in a 16 runner international race with several Group 1 winners and not every horse fully exposed. I think he has to be opposed. He did beat several of these last time in an impressive demolition but the price is too short.
Eagle Regiment comes here a multiple grade 1 winner in Hong Kong which gives him strong claims almost anywhere Black Caviar is not. With time out he may be ever so slightly unexposed. There is an injury scare but it is hoof problem and whilst he may have missed a breeze at the track it's not something that is definitely a problem. Draws 1 hole which certainly @jeremygask wanted to avoid for Medicean Man say.
Monsieur Joe Group 3 winner beaten by Shea Shea but could come on for that. 4th in this last year.
Ganas Appears to be handicapped to the hilt and has only a maiden win on turf.
Dux Scholar gave the Distance Schmistance brigade a boost when winning a handicap here. Was tried over 10 furlongs on slow ground in England. Race probably set up for him last time but did beat Medicean Man and Russian Soul who've scraped paint three times so far this Carnival. Conceivable he could be the one to benefit if the pace collapses.
Spirit Quartz won four of five then none from last 14. He has the form if Shea Shea and Eagle Regiment fail for some reason. Just denied by last year's heroine Ortensia in the summer in England. Finished between Medicean Man and Russian Soul behind Shea Shea on prep.
Varsity US sprinter who has the usual jaw-dropping running start times of 5F in 54.17. He beat the other US hopeful Great Attack nicely that day. Can't say they won't win but not heard any vibe from the US and they face a straight 5f here, something never seen Stateside.
Russian Rock another between Medicean Man and Russian Soul behind Shea Shea on prep having won at Jebel the day before! He's 40/1 which seems steep for a horse with his 5 furlong form. Rated higher on sand but not exposed at the minimum on turf.
Russian Soul been knocking on the door all winter. Beaten by Shea Shea and Sole Power last time when race-fit. Prior beaten by Dux Scholar and Medicean Man. Can see him placing as appears to have few quirks and normally gets a run.
Starspangledbanner even in his pomp was beaten by Sole Power in the Nunthorpe over a fast 5F. Flashed speed at Santa Anita but straw clutching to say he has a big chance here.
Joy And Fun third in this last year but they've said this is likely his last race and rarely is that a positive about a 10 year old gelding.
Invincible Ash since beating Sole Power here last March has not shown much.
Medicean Man My fella Trending is Padawan to The Man. The Man opened his account with a good win in a handicap. Missed a gallop and maybe hit the front too soon when Russian Soul collared him and Dux Scholar got em both. Then had nowhere to go next time. That is Medicean Man's career held up behind waiting for a gap? Here he has a wide draw and hopefully can get clear. He's a 7yo but was fourth behind Sole Power and Little Bridge at Ascot (ahead of Spirit Quartz). Despite his age there is just a nagging feeling that he could be better than he's shown if things break his way. The Dubai runners have bashed each other about and arguably maybe one should favour the less exposed but I will be hoping this is The Man's day.
Sole Power Bar the Nunthorpe last year he's been pretty consistently in the best two or three UK five-furlong horses.
Mr Big is probably not quite big enough. Does not have much collateral form I can collate but seems short.
Conclusion
As a punter the odds make this an easy call. 11/2 Sole Power when you can get 6s about a top Hong Kong speedster even if you consider the draw of some significance. If I save aside from some sentimental hope for The Man it might be on Dux Scholar if the race falls his way indeed he is unexposed as a sprinter so we cannot be certain that is the only way he can win either. Russian Rock appeals most of the rags.
I'll be betting Eagle Regiment Win Only -> slight chance of injury affecting is almost same risk at 6s as 6/5 the place. If he missed the race Dux Scholar to a smaller stake.
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Al Quoz Sprint
Straight 5f, some suggestion high numbers preferable.
Shea Shea has the highest Official Rating and Racing Post Rating by three and two pounds respectively (source RP) however he is 5/4 in a 16 runner international race with several Group 1 winners and not every horse fully exposed. I think he has to be opposed. He did beat several of these last time in an impressive demolition but the price is too short.
Eagle Regiment comes here a multiple grade 1 winner in Hong Kong which gives him strong claims almost anywhere Black Caviar is not. With time out he may be ever so slightly unexposed. There is an injury scare but it is hoof problem and whilst he may have missed a breeze at the track it's not something that is definitely a problem. Draws 1 hole which certainly @jeremygask wanted to avoid for Medicean Man say.
Monsieur Joe Group 3 winner beaten by Shea Shea but could come on for that. 4th in this last year.
Ganas Appears to be handicapped to the hilt and has only a maiden win on turf.
Dux Scholar gave the Distance Schmistance brigade a boost when winning a handicap here. Was tried over 10 furlongs on slow ground in England. Race probably set up for him last time but did beat Medicean Man and Russian Soul who've scraped paint three times so far this Carnival. Conceivable he could be the one to benefit if the pace collapses.
Spirit Quartz won four of five then none from last 14. He has the form if Shea Shea and Eagle Regiment fail for some reason. Just denied by last year's heroine Ortensia in the summer in England. Finished between Medicean Man and Russian Soul behind Shea Shea on prep.
Varsity US sprinter who has the usual jaw-dropping running start times of 5F in 54.17. He beat the other US hopeful Great Attack nicely that day. Can't say they won't win but not heard any vibe from the US and they face a straight 5f here, something never seen Stateside.
Russian Rock another between Medicean Man and Russian Soul behind Shea Shea on prep having won at Jebel the day before! He's 40/1 which seems steep for a horse with his 5 furlong form. Rated higher on sand but not exposed at the minimum on turf.
Russian Soul been knocking on the door all winter. Beaten by Shea Shea and Sole Power last time when race-fit. Prior beaten by Dux Scholar and Medicean Man. Can see him placing as appears to have few quirks and normally gets a run.
Starspangledbanner even in his pomp was beaten by Sole Power in the Nunthorpe over a fast 5F. Flashed speed at Santa Anita but straw clutching to say he has a big chance here.
Joy And Fun third in this last year but they've said this is likely his last race and rarely is that a positive about a 10 year old gelding.
Invincible Ash since beating Sole Power here last March has not shown much.
Medicean Man My fella Trending is Padawan to The Man. The Man opened his account with a good win in a handicap. Missed a gallop and maybe hit the front too soon when Russian Soul collared him and Dux Scholar got em both. Then had nowhere to go next time. That is Medicean Man's career held up behind waiting for a gap? Here he has a wide draw and hopefully can get clear. He's a 7yo but was fourth behind Sole Power and Little Bridge at Ascot (ahead of Spirit Quartz). Despite his age there is just a nagging feeling that he could be better than he's shown if things break his way. The Dubai runners have bashed each other about and arguably maybe one should favour the less exposed but I will be hoping this is The Man's day.
Sole Power Bar the Nunthorpe last year he's been pretty consistently in the best two or three UK five-furlong horses.
Mr Big is probably not quite big enough. Does not have much collateral form I can collate but seems short.
Conclusion
As a punter the odds make this an easy call. 11/2 Sole Power when you can get 6s about a top Hong Kong speedster even if you consider the draw of some significance. If I save aside from some sentimental hope for The Man it might be on Dux Scholar if the race falls his way indeed he is unexposed as a sprinter so we cannot be certain that is the only way he can win either. Russian Rock appeals most of the rags.
I'll be betting Eagle Regiment Win Only -> slight chance of injury affecting is almost same risk at 6s as 6/5 the place. If he missed the race Dux Scholar to a smaller stake.
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