RACE DAY INTERNATIONAL - DUBAI WORLD CUP SPECIAL

Toby Derby heads to Meydan with the showpiece Dubai World Cup set to ignite the racing landscape this Saturday. He previews all the top-class action and gives his thoughts and best bets across the card. 12:20 MEYDAN - Godolphin Mile

Commissioner King bolted up over C&D in a Group 2 last time and, unsurprisingly, heads the market here. However, the run prior tells a slightly different story, he was comprehensively beaten by Mendelssohn Bay. There was no fluke about it either; Mendelssohn Bay endured the tougher trip yet still got the job done by 2½ lengths.

He does need to bounce back from a below-par effort in the Al Maktoum Classic, but that came over 10f. The drop back to a mile looks firmly in his favour.

Banishing brings solid US form into the race but has underperformed on his last two starts. He’s versatile regarding trip and could have a say if returning to his best.

MENDELSSOHN BAY (WIN)

12:55 MEYDAN - Dubai Gold Cup

Al Riffa is undoubtedly the class act in this field, though all of his best form has come over shorter distances. His sole attempt at this trip resulted in a seventh-place finish in the Melbourne Cup, leaving stamina as a lingering question.

Dubai Future landed this race last year but is now a 10-year-old returning from a seven-month absence, far from ideal in a contest of this nature.

Epic Poet, on the other hand, is a model of consistency. He was beaten by Sunway earlier in the season, but that race didn’t pan out ideally under Danny Tudhope. At the current prices, he looks overpriced and appeals as a solid each-way option.

EPIC POET (E/W)

13:30 MEYDAN - UAE Derby

Pyromancer is one of a small but respected Japanese contingent and arrives with a perfect 3-from-3 record. He’s clearly well regarded, though his behaviour in track work suggests he may need to settle better if he’s to deliver on that promise.

Salloom produced one of the most impressive debut performances seen this season and would be a major player if able to reproduce it. However, his issues at the stalls are a significant concern, refusing to load on his intended debut and then breaking through the front last time, ultimately taking no part. He’s hugely talented but impossible to trust.

At a much bigger price, Brotherly Love is easy to overlook. He was well beaten in the UAE Guineas but shaped like a different horse when stepped up in trip last time. There’s reason to believe he can reverse form with several of those rivals here.

BROTHERLY LOVE (E/W)

14:20 MEYDAN - Al Quoz Sprint

I’ve been a strong supporter of Lazzat since his debut, following him through both highs and lows, including his most recent defeat to Reef Runner. While there was no obvious excuse that day, a return to a straight track,often favouring European-style runners, should play to his strengths.

Sticking with the French challengers, Rayevka is worth another chance. She raced on the unfavoured part of the track last time yet still managed to finish fifth, a performance that can be marked up significantly.

With recent flooding in Dubai potentially influencing conditions, even on a track that drains well, it could slightly favour the European contingent.

LAZZAT (WIN)

RAYEVKA (E/W)

14:55 MEYDAN - Dubai Golden Shaheen

Bentornato is relatively lightly raced for a five-year-old sprinter but arrives here at the peak of his powers after a career-best performance in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint. He sets the standard, and stall 2 is an added positive.

As is often the case in these races, there looks to be plenty of early speed, which could set things up for a hold-up performer.

That brings El Nasseeb firmly into the picture. He is typically strongest at the finish, and his only defeat this season came when adopting forcing tactics. Stall 1 isn’t ideal, but if ridden to his strengths, he could be finishing best of all.

Colour Up, a seasoned campaigner, would also be a popular winner and is capable of outrunning his odds.

EL NASEEB (WIN)

15:35 MEYDAN - Dubai Turf

Ombudsman stands out on ratings, sitting 11lb clear of the field, and it would be no surprise to see him start at very short odds. On form, he is the one to beat.

That said, there is a potential alternative scenario. Quddwah, drawn in stall 1, could secure an uncontested lead. If allowed to dictate the pace, much like Ryan Moore managed last time, he may be able to steal first run on the field.

Whether he can sustain it late on is the key question, but at the prices, he makes each-way appeal.

QUDDWAH (E/W)

16:10 MEYDAN - Dubai Sheema Classic 

Calandagan asserted himself as the dominant force in the middle-distance division last season, reeling off four consecutive Group 1 victories. Much like Ombudsman earlier on the card, it’s difficult to envisage him being beaten if running to form.

Ethical Diamond was a surprise winner of the Breeders’ Cup Turf but may not get the same race setup in this smaller field.

If anything is to challenge the favourite, it could be the globetrotting Giavellotto, who is admirably consistent at this level. He may be worth considering in “without the favourite” markets.

CALANDAGAN (WIN)

16:45 MEYDAN – Dubai World Cup

Last but certainly not least, Forever Young returns in an attempt to make amends for last season. He arrives off the back of a major success in the Saudi Cup and, notably, may have had a slightly less taxing preparation compared to last year, potentially leaving him fresher for this assignment.

Meydan has long been a reliable turf performer, but his recent dirt debut was a revelation. That effort introduces an element of the unknown, but a repeat would see him firmly in contention.

The narrow preference, however, is for Imperial Emperor. He has been trained specifically with this race in mind and comes here fresh. If Forever Young shows any sign of a hangover from Saudi Arabia, Imperial Emperor is well placed to capitalise and at least make the frame.

IMPERIAL EMPEROR (E/W)

written by Toby Darby