The premium sprint race of Dubai World Cup night is the Golden Shaheen on the synthetic Tapeta surface. Tasked with the preview is international racing shrewdie Calum Law, @calumswanlaw. If you remember his last preview on the blog, you're probably still celebrating!
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Dubai Golden Shaheen
Balmont Mast- Consistent sprinter under these conditions and ran a blinder in this contest last year when he was a neck runner-up behind Reynaldothewizard. His poor strike rate remains a concern though and his only win in his last 12 runs came in a modest listed event at the Curragh. A possible to pick up some prize money but has to rate an unlikely winner
Bello- Ex-Australian sprinter who hasn't looked up to this level in his two runs at Meydan. The white cap of Godolphin can often be misleading but looks fully justified here
Complicate- A ready winner of a listed contest at Caulfield on his last start in Australia and has looked a sprinter of promise in his two runs over this C&D. Yet has the tendency to hit a flat spot in his races and that is likely to cost him dear against this level of competition. Look for him flying late, probably too late
Jamesie- Improving six year old gelding who has gained two victories this carnival over this C&D and was an eyecatcher last time when hitting the line strongly when fourth in the Mahab Al Shimaal. These connections have been having the time of their lives this carnival and are always feared around here, but it would be disappointing should he prove good enough
Krypton Factor- Winner of this in 2012 when besting the legendary Rocket Man but winless since and was well beaten in the trial for this race. Has been falling out of the gates of late and looks up against it to reclaim his title
Nawwaar- Much improved this season but has done all his winning at Abu Dhabi over further. Has been disappointing on his last three trips to Meydan and looks outclassed against the specialist sprinters
Reynaldothewizard- Defending champion and arrives here having ran a solid race in the trial for this. His trainer has been making bullish noises about reversing the form with the winner that day Rich Tapestry, but for me the winner was much the best horse and i feel at 8 thewizard has it all to do to defend his crown
Rich Tapestry- Hong Kong sprinter who was an easy winner of the recognised trial for this race on Super Saturday. His jockey that day could be seen taking a cheeky pull 300 metres out and such was his dominance it is hard to see those in behind bridging the gap. He brings an unbeaten record off turf and is an obvious threat to all
Russian Soul- Super-consistent Irish sprinter for the on-fire Mick Halford team. He has hit the board in 18 of his 24 runs to date, yet was a little disappointing last time when never getting involved in the Mahab Al Shimaal. Was similarly consistent at the carnival last year before being found out at the big dance and although this race does lack depth it is likely to be the same story this year
Sterling City- Top class Hong Kong sprinter who has been mixing it with some of the best sprinters around of late. Was unlucky not to beat the world class Lucky Nine at Sha Tin last time when he was blocked at a crucial time before rattling home to finish a close up third, beaten only half a length. Gets the assistance of the magic man in the saddle and has stronger form than Rich Tapestry in his homeland. If he translates his turf form to the Tapeta he will be mighty hard to beat in a weak enough renewal
United Color- Fifth in this race last year and looked a sprinter to follow when taking the Dubawi Stakes on his first run of this campaign. He would have went close next time when nearly put through the rail in the Al Shindagha but seemed to have no excuses when a disappointing 10th behind Rich Tapestry on super Saturday. If you are willing to forgive that run he could be a touch of each way value
Zee Bros- US raider who ran a sneaky good race on his local debut when fourth behind Medicean Man over this C&D. Wasn't so good on the turf next time in the Meydan Sprint, but connections were forced to run there due to his rating not being good enough to get into the Al Shimaal and these conditions are much more likely to suit. Still unexposed and could have more to give under Dettori. Over priced and has place credentials
My Catch- Group 3 winning juvenile when trained by David Brown but not so good since joining his current stable. Won arguably the weakest race of the carnival when taking the Meydan Classic over seven furlongs and even with his weight break he looks out of his depth
Summary- A race that looks at the mercy of Hong Kong with Rich Tapestry and Sterling City appearing to tower over their rivals. Rich Tapestry is proven under these conditions having readily won the trial for this but Sterling City has superior form back in Hong Kong and can strike for the dream team of Moore and Moreira. The rest make limited appeal as win prospects but United Color and zee Bros are capable of fighting out minor honours
Selection- Sterling City
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Dubai Golden Shaheen
Balmont Mast- Consistent sprinter under these conditions and ran a blinder in this contest last year when he was a neck runner-up behind Reynaldothewizard. His poor strike rate remains a concern though and his only win in his last 12 runs came in a modest listed event at the Curragh. A possible to pick up some prize money but has to rate an unlikely winner
Bello- Ex-Australian sprinter who hasn't looked up to this level in his two runs at Meydan. The white cap of Godolphin can often be misleading but looks fully justified here
Complicate- A ready winner of a listed contest at Caulfield on his last start in Australia and has looked a sprinter of promise in his two runs over this C&D. Yet has the tendency to hit a flat spot in his races and that is likely to cost him dear against this level of competition. Look for him flying late, probably too late
Jamesie- Improving six year old gelding who has gained two victories this carnival over this C&D and was an eyecatcher last time when hitting the line strongly when fourth in the Mahab Al Shimaal. These connections have been having the time of their lives this carnival and are always feared around here, but it would be disappointing should he prove good enough
Krypton Factor- Winner of this in 2012 when besting the legendary Rocket Man but winless since and was well beaten in the trial for this race. Has been falling out of the gates of late and looks up against it to reclaim his title
Nawwaar- Much improved this season but has done all his winning at Abu Dhabi over further. Has been disappointing on his last three trips to Meydan and looks outclassed against the specialist sprinters
Reynaldothewizard- Defending champion and arrives here having ran a solid race in the trial for this. His trainer has been making bullish noises about reversing the form with the winner that day Rich Tapestry, but for me the winner was much the best horse and i feel at 8 thewizard has it all to do to defend his crown
Rich Tapestry- Hong Kong sprinter who was an easy winner of the recognised trial for this race on Super Saturday. His jockey that day could be seen taking a cheeky pull 300 metres out and such was his dominance it is hard to see those in behind bridging the gap. He brings an unbeaten record off turf and is an obvious threat to all
Russian Soul- Super-consistent Irish sprinter for the on-fire Mick Halford team. He has hit the board in 18 of his 24 runs to date, yet was a little disappointing last time when never getting involved in the Mahab Al Shimaal. Was similarly consistent at the carnival last year before being found out at the big dance and although this race does lack depth it is likely to be the same story this year
Sterling City- Top class Hong Kong sprinter who has been mixing it with some of the best sprinters around of late. Was unlucky not to beat the world class Lucky Nine at Sha Tin last time when he was blocked at a crucial time before rattling home to finish a close up third, beaten only half a length. Gets the assistance of the magic man in the saddle and has stronger form than Rich Tapestry in his homeland. If he translates his turf form to the Tapeta he will be mighty hard to beat in a weak enough renewal
United Color- Fifth in this race last year and looked a sprinter to follow when taking the Dubawi Stakes on his first run of this campaign. He would have went close next time when nearly put through the rail in the Al Shindagha but seemed to have no excuses when a disappointing 10th behind Rich Tapestry on super Saturday. If you are willing to forgive that run he could be a touch of each way value
Zee Bros- US raider who ran a sneaky good race on his local debut when fourth behind Medicean Man over this C&D. Wasn't so good on the turf next time in the Meydan Sprint, but connections were forced to run there due to his rating not being good enough to get into the Al Shimaal and these conditions are much more likely to suit. Still unexposed and could have more to give under Dettori. Over priced and has place credentials
My Catch- Group 3 winning juvenile when trained by David Brown but not so good since joining his current stable. Won arguably the weakest race of the carnival when taking the Meydan Classic over seven furlongs and even with his weight break he looks out of his depth
Summary- A race that looks at the mercy of Hong Kong with Rich Tapestry and Sterling City appearing to tower over their rivals. Rich Tapestry is proven under these conditions having readily won the trial for this but Sterling City has superior form back in Hong Kong and can strike for the dream team of Moore and Moreira. The rest make limited appeal as win prospects but United Color and zee Bros are capable of fighting out minor honours
Selection- Sterling City
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