Dubai Sheema Classic

The Northern flat season doesn't really start until the Dubai carnival has had its big finale, and this is it. The showpiece race is the World Cup but that's really a race for US horses. This is the genuine world classic.

Returning to the blog is regular international racing aficionado Luke Humphreys, @WorldRacingLuke.

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Longines Dubai Sheema Classic

G1, 2400m, 1m4f, $USD6,000,000, Turf
Race 8 Meydan, 1710 BST, 2010 Local Time
(PRICES LISTED ARE BEST AVAILABLE FRIDAY MORNING)

1 Mozu Catchan (12/1): G1 Japanese Oaks second last year behind Soul Stirring. Then third in another one of the G1 fillies classics and then won the feature G1 of the season for all age girls. Far from disgraced first-up when fourth on Yielding ground at G2 level against the boys when fourth to Clincher and Classic winners Al Ain and the reopposing Rey de Oro. Place best though.

2 Idaho (12/1): Is very inconsistent, unlike the big brother, but was a huge run when fifth in the G1 Japan Cup at the end of last year and also a top effort when third in the King George to Enable and Ulysses. Is a two times classic placegetter as a three year old that with the right run can’t be discounted.

3 Rey de Oro (4/1): Japanese star that brilliantly won their Derby last year and was very impressive in a G2 over subsequent St. Leger winner after that. Second in the (Japan) Cup behind Cheval Grand. Had every chance first-up but I’m sure the yielding ground played effect to his chances there as did a fairly big weight. Fan of the horse, Christophe Lemaire back on board, one of the primary chances.

4 Khalidi (20/1): Not the worst horse and ran respectfully in good company last year. However down the track on the All-Weather in the G3 Winter Derby at Lingfield last time on Clive Cox debut.

5 Poet’s Word (9/2): Brilliant seconds in both the Irish and British Champions Stakes before not having much luck in Hong Kong over 2000m at Sha Tin. Frankie Dettori rides for the first time and has plenty of ability, could maybe find a couple too good but who would doubt Stoute.

6 Cloth Of Stars (5/2): Very good horse that was second in the Arc beating all home bar the brilliant Enable. G1 Prix Ganay winner from last year. Only problem would be is that they often go off at a slow pace through the early stages of this and he can get keen.

7 Hawkbill (9/1): Winner of the trial race one grade below this over the C&D three weeks ago. Former Eclipse winner that was consistent last year but may find couple too good.

8 Satono Crown (8/1): Good Japanese horse that is one from one for Joao Moreira when winning the Vase of 2016 in Hong Kong. Very disappointing in both the Japan Cup and Arima Kinen at back end of last year. Maybe the run Soft going in the Autumn Tenno Sho took something out of him.

9 Desert Encounter (33/1): Was very consistent last year finishing third in the G1 Eclipse, sixth in the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes and fifth in the G1 Champion Stakes. Can definitely finish first half of the field.

10 Best Solution (33/1): Didn’t have much luck in the trial race three weeks ago but unlikely to be good enough.

Ratings: (3) REY DE ORO - (6) CLOTH OF STARS - (5) POET’S WORD - (2) IDAHO - (7) HAWKBILL - (9) DESERT ENCOUNTER - (8) SATONO CROWN - (1) MOZU KATCHAN - (10) BEST SOLUTION - (4) KHALIDI

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