Dubai World Cup Carnival 2023

Free Picks & Past Performances

Saturday March 25, 2023: FREE Past Performances

Saturday March 4, 2023: FREE Past Performances

Friday February 24, 2023: FREE Past Performances

Friday 24th February – Angus McNae Tips – Meydan

ANGUS MCNAE TIPS – FRIDAY 23^rd FEBRUARY

DUBAI CARNIVAL – MEYDAN

The Dubai International Carnival draws to a conclusion this week with the Group Two Balanchine taking centre stage. I have four selections today on a day that Godolphin may well dominate and I am expecting William Buick to surge to the head of the jockeys’ standings for the Carnival.

Race 1 – 1000(ET): Ah Jeez

Doug O’Neill has had six runners at this year’s Carnival and has already secured a win and a second place. In a modest contest here, he can have another winner in the shape of Ah Jeez who makes his debut on dirt under William Buick.

He won two races in the USA on turf and achieved a decent level of form, yet with a dirt pedigree he promises to be better on this surface. His sire Mendelssohn was a sensational winner of the UAE Derby here on his dirt debut and Ah Jeez may well improve for the surface. Even if he runs to the same level of form he has already shown he should be competitive here.

Race 3 – 1110(ET): Silent Film

This horse was a good deal better than the bare result when finishing fifth to Shining Blue last time out here at Meydan and he looks sure to go close. In that race, Silent Film was poorly drawn in stall 13 and was held up while racing wide. He gave away plenty of ground that day and could not reel in the pacesetting winner despite staying on nicely in the closing stages. From a better draw in stall two and with William Buick on board, he should be able to adopt a nice handy position and then angle out to attack in the straight. He makes plenty of appeal in a competitive race.

Race 5 – 1220(ET): With the Moonlight

This filly looks to be way superior to her rivals in this Group Two and can supplement her win in the Cape Verdi. Her success in that race was workmanlike, but that will have blown the cobwebs away and an extra furlong here can only be in her favour. Last season she won the Saratoga Oaks and was second in the Belmont Oaks over 1900m and 2000m respectively and this trip and track look to be ideal for her. She is well drawn in stall three and can dominate from the start to give William Buick another winner.

Race 6 – 1255(ET): One Nation

I think this horse can complete an excellent day for William Buick. He ran very well when second to the very useful Naval Power here at Meydan last time out where he made the running and was only reeled in in the closing stages. He had a number of these behind him that day and although Highbank can get closer, the trip may stretch him, whereas One Nation is a certain stayer at the trip. From a decent draw in stall four he is likely to be ridden prominently which has been a huge advantage on the turf course here this season. He should go close.4

Friday February 17, 2023: FREE Past Performances

Friday 17th February – Angus McNae Tips – Meydan

Two more Carnival fixtures before Super Saturday and this week the action centres on three Group 3 contests namely the UAE Oaks, the Dubai Millenium Stakes and the Nad Al Sheba Trophy.

I have four selections this week.

Race 4 – 1045(ET) – Tranquil Night

This horse looked to be thoroughly progressive in the UK last season, winning three times before being well beaten in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot when asked to race in the disadvantaged group.

His return to action following that saw him go off a well-backed favourite at Meydan, but he couldn’t justify the support, weakening from two out as if needing the run. He wasn’t given a hard time and can resume his progression here and give James Doyle another winner at this year’s Carnival.

Race 5 – 1120(ET) – Siskany

Godolphin have dominated this race over the years with the royal blue silks passing the post in first place in 10 of the last 12 years and I see no reason why the trend will not continue.

Siskany is the mount of William Buick and must have an excellent chance given his UK form in 2022. He was a Listed winner at Newmarket and was Group One-placed in Germany. He also won his only start at Meydan last season where he bolted up by five lengths in a Listed contest. He clearly goes well at this track and can prevail at the expense of his stable-companion Kemari.

Race 6 – 1155(ET) – Ottoman Fleet

I think this race is a straight shoot-out between the Godolphin pair Ottoman Fleet and Nations Pride. I am with the mount of James Doyle who may be the second string here, but has plenty in his favour.

He has had two recent runs at Meydan and although only third last time out shaped better than the bare result as he was caught a bit too far back in the run having travelled well. He steps up to 2000m, a trip over which he won impressively in 2022 and he gets stall one.

Nations pride is a big danger, but this is his seasonal reappearance and he is better over further so on this occasion it has to be Ottoman Fleet.

Race 7 – 1230(ET) – Ever Given

I tipped this horse to win the Firebreak Stakes last time out and he ran well in fourth but appeared not to stay the mile trip of that race and the drop to seven furlongs here, combined with what is sure to be a front running ride from Mikael Barzalona, can do the trick. This race represents a drop in grade as well and he will be sharper for his first ever run on the dirt last time out.

Golden Goal is a danger as he is well drawn and takes a big drop in class here, but he ran very poorly on his seasonal reappearance and could just be on the downgrade. Ever Given to make all and win is the call.

Friday February 3, 2023: FREE Past Performances

Friday 3^rd February – Angus McNae Tips – Meydan

This is an excellent card at Meydan and I am going with five selections on a fixture that should throw up some Super Saturday contenders.

Race 2 (0935 ET): First Ruler

I am keen on this horse having been with him last time out where he looked a shade unlucky.

First Ruler was third to the rejuvenated Enemy where, having been dropped out from a wide draw, he didn’t get a run when required and once in the clear ran on strongly into third. He was not given a hard time there and with a clear run of things this time he is the one to beat.

He is drawn wide again in stall 11 but James Doyle is more than capable of finding a good trip and First Ruler is well worth being with again in this opener.

Race 4 (1035 ET): With the Moonlight

he Cape Verdi looks set to be dominated by Godolphin with four runners and I think With the Moonlight is the most likely winner.

She looked very useful when winning at Newmarket last season and that visual impression was backed up by a blockbuster speed figure. She then went on to have a good season in North America by winning the Saratoga Oaks and was unlucky not to win a Grade Two race on her next start at the same track.

She is a class act, has a nice draw in stall 6 and will take all the beating here.

Race 5 (1120 ET): Remorse

Round 2 of the Maktoum Challenge asks many questions. Can Algiers back up his win in Round 1 – and was that win as good as it looked? That’s the principal question for me.

I am going to oppose him with a battle-hardened dirt performer in the shape of Remorse. He ran well in last year’s Dubai World Cup and beat Bendoog in a Listed win on his first start this season. He was an excellent second to Hypothetical in Round 3 of the Challenge last year and he is more than capable of landing this race, particularly from a decent draw in stall 2.

Race 6 (1155 ET): Valiant Prince

I was very impressed with this horse when he won here last time out.

He travelled strongly and quickened up smartly to beat Dubai Future and Ottoman Fleet, who take him on again. Valiant Prince is unbeaten here at Meydan and has won five of his last six starts, so I see no reason to oppose him now.

He set a new course record when winning last time and looks to be very progressive. A low draw in stall 2 gives him every chance to get a perfect trip and he rates as a strong selection.

Race 7 (1230 ET): Tranquil Night

He could be very well treated off a mark of 95.

Tranquil Night bolted up at Newmarket two starts ago off 84 and it’s not inconceivable that he is still way ahead of his mark. His last run was at Royal Ascot last summer where he disappointed in the Britannia but he is clearly much better than he showed there and he can bounce back to form here.

This is not a particularly strong handicap and he looks to have outstanding claims. He could be a Group horse in the making and he is a strong selection.

Friday January 20, 2023: FREE Past Performances

Angus McNae Tips – Friday 20^th January 2023

The UAE 1000 Guineas and Zabeel Mile take centre stage on week three of the Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan. I have four selections for you, including in those feature races.

Race 2 – 0935(ET)

Rawy put up a career-best performance when finishing fifth to Switzerland in the Dubawi Stakes at the Carnival a fortnight ago and he can take advantage of this drop in grade. He is sure to be quickly away under Mikael Barzalona, who is a brilliant gate jockey and dirt rider. He and Rawy can combine to make all.

My Dubawi looked good when he won at Jebel Ali six days ago, but that was a big effort after a lay-off and I make him a candidate to “bounce”. Rawy will also likely keep him wide, being drawn inside him. I will be backing Rawy to back up his excellent recent run.

Race 4 – 1045(ET)

Mimi Kakushi won the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial and can repeat the performance in the main event. She appeared to improve for the application of cheekpieces when winning that contest and they are retained here.

Four of those she beat in the trial reoppose, but I can see no reason why any of them will reverse the form. I expect Barzalona to have her very close to the pace, as she was last time out, and the extra furlong should benefit her as she was strong at the line over 1400 metres last time out. She should be hard to beat.

Race 5 – 1120(ET)

Surprisingly, the first two weeks of this year’s Carnival have passed without William Buick having a winner. He can start to make up for lost time with the lightly raced but talented Master Of The Seas in the Zabeel Mile.

He has plenty of back class, including a second to Poetic Flare in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in 2021. He only ran once last year, having been gelded, when he easily won a Group Three race at Newmarket in April.

Provided all is well with him, he can outclass his rivals here from a favourable draw in stall 1. In the past, he has shown a bright turn of foot and he can utilise that here.

Race 6 – 1155(ET)

This is a competitive Listed contest, but I am keen on New Comedy. He is race fit and ran well when finishing second to Enemy here two weeks ago. He raced prominently that day from a wide draw, which was not ideal. This time, from stall 6, he should get a better ground-saving trip.

He had some of these rivals behind him on that occasion and he can beat them again. The excellent Antonio Fresu takes the ride, and this is not a strong race for the grade. New Comedy can make his fitness tell and will hopefully have the last laugh.

Friday January 13, 2023: FREE Past Performances

ANGUS MCNAE – TIPS – FRIDAY 13th JANUARY

Al Suhail was the star on show at Meydan last week, displaying an electric turn of foot in the final two furlongs to destroy his Al Fahidi Fort rivals. It was a fine way to begin this year’s Dubai international Carnival and week two promises plenty with the Al Rashidiya the feature event.

I have four selections for you from the Meydan card.

0935 (ET) Meydan: Al Dasim

He looks thoroughly progressive compared to his rivals and can land this weak contest.

The speed figures he has produced so far suggest that he is at least a 105-rated horse and that gives him a clear class edge over the field. He was impressive when winning at Wolverhampton last November, travelling strongly and winning with plenty in hand, and he has a lot of natural pace which will serve him well on this rapid straight track.

I rate him as a strong play here to give George Boughey and the international raiders another winner.

1010 (ET) Meydan: Es Unico

He is a battle-hardened Grade Two winner on dirt in his native Uruguay and that could give him an edge over some promising and lightly-raced promising rivals.

Once-raced winners are always going to find it tough coming up against a horse like Es Unico, who has plenty of experience. That Grade Two success came in a fast time and he bolted up by four lengths.

He certainly knows how to win having landed three of his five career starts and that experience can propel him to success here over an inexperienced field.

I expect a big run from him.

1120 (ET) Meydan: Dubai Future

The Al Rashadiya has been dominated by Godolphin recently, with the royal blue colours carried to victory in each of the last six years and Saeed bin Suroor responsible for four of those wins. I take the trainer to strike once again here.

Dubai Future had a good season last year with his standout performance in the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot, where he shouldered a weight penalty to win in a very fast time. Indeed, his speed figure suggested that he was a Group performer in the making.

Dubai Future won the Bahrain International Trophy when last seen and now returns to Meydan where he easily won in Listed company last season. He looks a big player here.

1230 (ET) Meydan: Sense Of Wisdom

He has only had a couple of starts in his career and the form he has already shown – allied to his pedigree – makes him a horse to follow.

Sense Of Wisdom won on his debut at Newmarket in June and was unlucky not to follow up over course and distance the following month when badly hampered.

He is well-drawn in stall 5 and James Doyle is on board after firing in three winners at Meydan last week. Sense Of Wisdom is seemingly the second string with William Buick on Echo Point, but I think he has more upside while that horse is hard to win with. Sense Of Wisdom is a solid option here.

Friday January 6, 2023: FREE Past Performances

Dubai Carnival – Friday 6th January 2023 – ANGUS MCNAE TIPS

The greatest international racing carnival is about to get under way in Dubai and with a high-class colony of local and overseas challengers we are in for some tremendous action in the build up to Dubai World Cup night.

I have four selections for the opening meeting at Meydan, with Friday’s seven-race card the best start to the meeting I can remember since I started following the action there.

0935 (ET) Meydan: First Ruler

William Buick is riding Walk of Stars in this race for Charlie Appleby but I prefer First Ruler from the same yard. First Ruler has a top-class pedigree and plenty of speed yet seems to stay a mile and a half strongly enough to be very effective at this trip, particularly off a mark of 97. He comes here on the back of a luckless effort at Newmarket last October where he encountered plenty of trouble in running and appeared not to handle the undulations of the Rowley Mile. that’s track. He can utilise his pace here given that he looks likely to be ridden for luck from his high draw and can run down his strong-staying stable companion.

1010 (ET) Meydan: Mubakker

This classy individual looks set to embark on a season of sprinting and the drop back in distance should really suit him. Connections felt he was a Godolphin Mile horse but he doesn’t stay that distance and could now be set for a rejuvenation on this return to sprinting. Four of his five career wins have come at 1200m and he has won at this trip at this track before. A low draw in sprints at Meydan is usually advantageous and from stall 2 he can adopt a handy slot through the first half of the race. I expect a big run from him.

1120 (ET) Meydan: Desert Wisdom

He looked most progressive towards the end of last season and he can pick up where he left off.

Desert Wisdom finished the season with victory in the Burj Nahaar on Super Saturday and then an excellent second in the Godolphin Mile on World Cup night. That is palpably the best form on offer and his UAE record bares up to the closest scrutiny given that he has finished out of the first two in just one of his six starts in the Middle East. Adrie De Vries is a class act who is underrated on the international scene and he can guide Desert Wisdom to Al Maktoum Challenge glory.

1155 (ET) Meydan: Noble Truth

I believe this is the best play on the Meydan card, even though he will be well supported. Noble Truth won the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot and looks to be a 1400m specialist. He has plenty of tactical speed and has speed figures that dwarf the previous efforts of his rivals. While he does have a wide draw in stall 11 to overcome, I can’t see that being a bar to success given his versatility and I believe he will have too much speed for his rivals. Given that there is not much of a 1440m programme for this type of horse in Dubai, this race could be his ‘World Cup’ and Noble Truth is a strong selection.

Dubai World Cup – Saturday March 26th, 2022:FREE Past Performances

Meydan Overview & Selections – Dubai World Cup card:

There is a fabulous card at Meydan on Saturday where the Dubai World Cup takes centre stage at the end of a top class night of action.
There are some strong looking favourites through the night and the best international challenge that we have seen for many years at this meeting.
I have six selections for you and hopefully a few decent winners.

Race 2 Meydan (8.20am ET): Al Nefud

The dirt track at Meydan tends to be more speed favouring when races are run in the afternoon and with this being the first race on the card I am expecting a big run from this pacey, strong travelling gelding. He has been a revelation since moving to the Seemar yard in Dubai and has taken to the dirt track particularly well. The key to the turnaround in his form has been the fact that his new yard identified that he is a speed horse who is best suited to racing around this one turn mile at Meydan. He made all to win his first two starts here and was beaten into second last time by Hot Rod Charlie in round 2 of the Maktoum Challenge. That was a big effort from a wide draw in stall 11 over a 9 1/2 furlong trip that stretches his stamina. Returning to a mile here from a cracking draw in stall 2 he figures to make all here against the rail and land the Godolphin mile.

Race 3 Meydan (8.55am ET): Manobo

This horse is a potential superstar and although he will go off at restrictive odds he cannot be opposed. He was wildly impressive in the Nad Al Sheba Trophy where he comfortably beat East Asia. He surged clear under minimal pressure producing one of the most exciting performances of the Carnival. He has plenty of speed and looks to be a cut above his rivals here. This is not as deep a race as it can be and it’s hard to imagine that any of his rivals could win a Listed race by 10 lengths as this horse did at St. Cloud last season. A number of firms already make him the second favourite for the Ascot Gold Cup which is reflective of the impression that this horse has created throughout his career so far. He steps up to two miles here which should be no problem and his speed should prove way too much for his rivals.

Race 4 Meydan (9.35am ET): Casa Creed (Win & Show)

Man of Promise is a worthy favourite here, but he has never been the most consistent type and there is a chance he may recoil from a huge effort on Super Saturday where he thrashed the useful A Case Of You by just under 5 lengths. I prefer to get with Casa Creed win and show. He has a high draw on this straight sprint course which is advantageous and his main rivals are drawn high as well so he looks to be in the right spot to employ his late closing style. A likely strong pace will suit him as he is an off the pace type and he ran well off a three and a half month lay-off in Saudi last time where he ran on strongly to be beaten a neck by Songline. I can see him coming home strongly here to at least make the frame and if Man of promise is below form this is wide open.

Race 6 Meydan (10.45am ET): Dr Schivel

The USA have dominated this race winning thirteen of the last twenty renewals and Dr Schivel looks likely to continue that trend. He has only been beaten once over 6 furlongs and that was when narrowly denied in the Breeders Cup Sprint. He bombed in the 7f Malibu stakes last time out behind the brilliant Flightline, but he was found to have spiked a temperature after the race. If he turns up in the form that he was in at Del Mar he will be tough to beat even from his birth in stall 9. This looks as if it will be a race dominated by international raiders and it’s my opinion that Dr Schivel brings the best form to the party.

Race 7 Meydan (11.20am ET): Lord North

Lord North won this last year and I am supporting him to do it again. He was very impressive when he won here last year albeit in a slightly weaker renewal than this one. His seasonal debut at Lingfield has ducked under the radar. He was second to Alenquer who thrashed the track record and the time figure that lord North achieved was a career best. Align that with the fact he looked a bit rusty and was forced a bit wide on the home turn then we have a performance that should make everyone sit up and take notice. He has clearly not been easy to train and is lightly raced for his age, but we know that this superb surface suits him and his turn of foot could prove decisive in what is a tremendous renewal.

Race 9 Meydan (12.30pm ET): Life is good

The best horse in the world will strut his stuff in the Dubai World Cup and it’s hard to envisage defeat. He is drawn in stall 1 and as long as he jumps smartly out of the gates he looks set to utilise his abundant speed and make all against the rail. He was hugely impressive when he beat Knicks Go in the Pegasus and his Breeders Cup Mile win was the best performance on a stellar card. He has to go one furlong further than he ever has and that is a concern. His sire Into Mischief tends to get fast horses rather than stayers, however I think this horse can carry his speed which is often something that is overlooked in dirt racing. Afterall 6f horses in the States regularly stretch out to a one turn mile successfully. I think his speed will carry him clear of his field and the advantage he could establish will be too much for the likes of Hot Rod Charlie to breach. His trainer Todd Pletcher told me he is “Super Confident”. I will leave it at that.

Saturday March 5, 2022: FREE Past Performances

Angus McNae’s Meydan Overview & Selections – Super Saturday:

Super Saturday has always been an excellent meeting as well as providing plenty of clues for World Cup night.

I have five selections at a range of prices, three on the turf and two on the dirt:

7:45am (ET) Meydan: Man of Promise

You couldn’t fail to be impressed by this horse last time out here at Meydan. He travelled strongly and quickened up instantly when asked to beat the useful Lazuli. That horse has franked the form since by winning the Group 2 Blue Point sprint. Man of Promise failed to move on last year after winning a Handicap here. He was well beaten in this race and on World Cup night, but I am hoping that he can move forward now and back up that impressive win last time out. He is still lightly raced and when he is right, he looks to be a Group 1 sprinter.

8:20am (ET) Meydan: Bendoog

This horse has only had two career starts, yet he is already very useful and could have more to give. He won his maiden here, beating future winners, and then was an excellent 4th in the UAE 2000 Guineas. He shaped like the best horse in that race as he forced an overly strong pace and ultimately did much better than any of those who attended that pace. That he was able to keep on and finish fourth is a testament to his raw ability. A more judicious ride will bring out the latent potential that this horse possesses. He is likely to be ridden prominently from stall 2, and hopefully he will not be compromised by fierce early fractions this time.

8:55am (ET) Meydan: Go On

Hypothetical sets the standards here, but stall 14 is far from ideal so I will pass him by for Go On who hails from the in-form yard of Doug O’Neill. He has had 4 winners at the Carnival and this horse gives him a shot at winning another big prize. He was a bit of a disappointment on his Meydan debut where he missed the break, got caught in kickback and never got involved. That run will have sharpened him up and I expect a much more prominent display jumping from stall 2. He owns the best single piece of form in the race having finished 4th just 5 lengths behind Hot Rod Charlie in the Grade 2 San Antonio stakes at Santa Anita. A repeat of that effort will see him go well here at a big price.

9:55am (ET) Meydan: D’Bai

D’Bai goes very well at this track and was miles better than the bare result here last time out. He was held up from his wide draw in a steadily run affair. He then made an effort five wide turning for home and could not run down horses that were sprinting off steady fractions. He did travel very well in that race and looked to be in great form. He is once again jumping from a wide stall (15), but he will be held up and as long as he gets a decent pace to go at, I can see him rattling home here under James Doyle. He won the Grade 2 Zabeel mile here last season, but this 7-furlong trip is fine for him given the amount of pace that he shows.

10:30am (ET) Meydan: Barney Roy

I like the look of Barney Roy from stall 2 here. He should get a good trip tracking the pace and may get first run on some of the hold-up horses like Lord Glitters. That horse beat Barney Roy narrowly in the Bahrain International Trophy, but Barney Roy had done plenty of running close to the strong pace and saw off all the challengers until being mugged late on by Lord Glitters. He figures to get a good trip here and can reverse the Bahrain form under an aggressive James Doyle ride.

Friday February 25, 2022: FREE Past Performances

Angus McNae’s Meydan Overview & Selections – Week 7:

A low-key Carnival meeting on account of the action in Saudi this weekend and the looming presence of Super Saturday next week.

Nonetheless I am going with four selections to hopefully back up the two winners we had last week.

9:00am (ET) Meydan: Rawy

The drop back in trip can see this horse once again break well and make all against the rail. He disappointed in the UAE 2000 Guineas where he was ridden aggressively from the front over 1800 metres but did not get home. He is now down in grade and trip and looks set to dominate this field from stall 2. This is not a strong race and Mikael Barzalona should be able to dictate matters from the front. He is a confident selection to land the spoils.

10:10am (ET) Meydan: Bochart

This talented sprinter has been out of form this season, but now that he has had his sights lowered and returns to a viable level he is very much of interest. The last time he ran in a handicap was here at Meydan, where off a mark of 98 he made all for a comfortable success. He gets to race off a mark of 95 again here and that gives him a good chance of getting back into the winners’ enclosure. My confidence is increased by the fact that he has a low draw in stall 4 and I anticipate him making a bold show from the front.

10:45am (ET) Meydan: Star Safari

Charlie Appleby has won the last 4 renewals of this race and he can win it again with this classy individual. He won the Listed Zabeel Turf last time out with a bit in hand, after not experiencing the easiest of passages through the race. His trademark turn-of-foot got him out of trouble. He also won this race last year from Bedouins Story. That race didn’t look very deep, and this is not that deep either, thus I am expecting a repeat performance from this talented gelding.

11:20am (ET) Meydan: Nations Pride

New Kingdom will be a short-priced favourite here for Charlie Appleby and the step up to 10 furlongs will certainly suit him, but I thought he looked one paced here last time and am disconcerted by the fitting of a hood. I prefer to side with his stable companion Nations Pride. He is lightly raced having just had three starts in the UK and has won two of them. He was impressive in gaining both off those wins showing a decent turn-of-foot in races that were run at steady gallops. Stall 2 should enable him to get a decent handy stalking position and his change of gear could prove decisive.

Friday February 18, 2022: FREE Past Performances

Angus McNae’s Meydan Overview & Selections – Week 6:

Lord Glitters was a winner here last week on the Dubai International Carnival blog and I have five selections this week across the six-race card. The action is a bit low key compared to previous weeks but still provides competitive action and some good opportunities to find a winner.

The dirt track did not perform to type last week, it was deep and slow and suited closers rather than front-runners. This is unusual, but it would pay to tread carefully with the dirt races this week, bearing in mind that the pace bias may well return.

9:00am (ET) Meydan: Desert Safari

I am taking a chance on this horse from the Salem Bin Ghadayer yard despite his wide draw in stall 10. Essentially, he is a speedy horse who looks sure to be ridden aggressively, he is likely to lead and if the track has returned to type may be capable of making all. His UK form is certainly good enough to win a race of this type. He boasts a very good second place last season at Ascot in a Class 2 handicap off a mark of 95. He seemed to handle the dirt on his first Meydan start where he showed bright speed before weakening in the straight as if needing the run. He will be much better for that effort and with the best gate jockey in Dubai in the form of Mikael Barzalona I expect him to jump quickly and lead this field all the way to the wire.

9:35am (ET) Meydan: Silent Speech

I see no reason why this horse cannot back up his recent success over course and distance. He is a lightly raced Dubawi with only three starts to his name, two of which he has won. He looks certain to improve, yet to win this he will just have to repeat his effort last time out. He travelled strongly in that race and from off the pace hit the line strongly to win going away. For a horse with a fairly stout pedigree on the Dams side he is speedy and his main asset seems to be a bright turn of foot that he has displayed in winning his last two starts. He can go in again.

10:10 am (ET) Meydan: Shahama

The 1000 Guineas winner should make short work of this Oaks field with the slight caveat that she is as of yet unproven at this 9 furlong trip. This 3yo fillies’ division is traditionally quite weak and she has looked to be head and shoulders above her rivals. She was very impressive in the Guineas cruising clear of her rivals to win by an untroubled 3 and ¾ lengths. She has a furlong further to go today, but that should not trouble her and there are no new shooters turning up in this race to provide a new test. It is possible that she is not only the best 3yo filly around in the UAE, but the best 3yo full stop.

10:45am (ET) Meydan: He’s A Balter

I am taking a chance on this Australian raider who should be a decent price. I thought he shaped like the best horse in the race when finishing second to Batwan on his Meydan debut. He travelled strongly and quickened up to lead just after passing two furlongs out. He looked the winner before Batwan, whom he had shot past when he quickened, came back to catch him close home. If his challenge had been delayed a little longer I believe he would have won. This is a slightly tougher task, however I felt he was a horse to follow after his recent effort and I am not deserting him now. Watch for him swooping late here on this fast turf sprint-track.

11:20am (ET) Meydan: Manobo

William Buick and Charlie Appleby can combine for another winner at this year’s Carnival with this unbeaten gelding. Four wins in Europe preface his Meydan debut and he looks to be a thoroughly progressive son of Sea the Stars. He was a 10-length winner of a listed race at St Cloud before stepping up in class to win a Grade 2 at Longchamp. Charlie Appleby has a great record in this race, including with the useful Ispolini and Secret Advisor and this horse looks capable of following in their hoof prints. It is possible that he may make up into a Dubai Gold Cup horse and if that is a legitimate aim, he should be able to land this prize. William Buick needs to overcome a wide draw in stall 10 but given a smooth passage I think he will win.

Friday February 11, 2022: FREE Past Performances

Angus McNae’s Meydan Overview & Selections – Week 5:

Hot Rod Charlie was a short-priced winner here on the Dubai blog last week. In winning he thrust himself firmly into the World Cup picture and if Life Is Good fails to turn up, he will most likely go off favourite for the big race at the end of March.

Five selections this week on an excellent 7 race card with the UAE 2000 Guineas, the Singspiel Stakes & the Curling Stakes taking centre stage. Good luck!

10:10am (ET) Meydan: Bendoog

A pacey front-runner drawn in stall 1 on the dirt here at Meydan is usually a potent weapon and given the pace that Bendoog showed on his debut he should be able to take full advantage of his draw. He won his maiden here in mid-January and that form is working out well. The third, Withering, won the Al Bastikiya trial last week in good style and Bendoog thrashed him by more than 10 lengths in that maiden. He is bred to be useful on Dirt being by Gun Runner out of a Mineshaft mare and must be supported here to back up that impressive debut win despite the step up in class. He rates as a solid play here.

10:45am (ET) Meydan: Modern News

On paper this horse looks to be the second string for Charlie Appleby behind the useful course winner D’Bai, but he figures to get a much better trip than that horse and for me is favoured here. James Doyle rides and the horse comes here on the back of three smooth victories in the UK. Those wins were achieved in decent company and there is no doubt he is ready for this Listed level. He travels very strongly in his races and stall 1 will help him adopt the perfect stalking trip. In contrast D’Bai needs to overcome stall 11 after a below par run when last seen at Newmarket. Modern News is the right play here on this occasion in a race that is fiercely competitive.

11:20am (ET) Meydan: Salute the Soldier

This horse should improve from his debut effort when fifth to Golden Goal in Round 1 of the Maktoum Challenge. That was his first run for 10 months and Adrie De Vries was not hard on him once victory was not possible. The rail on the dirt was very good that day and he was forced to race wide in the home straight which also didn’t help his cause. He should strip fitter now and a return to the form that saw him win Round 3 of the Maktoum Challenge last season would be good enough to take this. Dubai Icon and Rebel’s Romance provide tough opposition, but this can go to the consistent Salute the Soldier.

11:55am (ET) Meydan: Lord Glitters

I will take a chance that this classy grey can get the set up that he requires and land another big prize. The key to him is a decent gallop from which he can close strongly from the back of the field. When he gets the right scenario he is bordering on Group 1 class and with plenty of pace on here he could get exactly what he wants. He renews rivalry with Zakouski whom he beat in this last year – Zakouski then turned the tables in the Al Rashadiya where the pace scenario was all against Lord Glitters. A wide draw is of little concern given his hold up style and jockey Danny Tudhope gets a great tune out of him. He looks sure to run a big race.

12:30pm (ET) Meydan: Canvassed

This horse is a classy sprinter. He won the Mahab Al Shimaal on Super Saturday last season and then was an excellent third in the Golden Shaheen on Dubai World Cup night. His reappearance was a little underwhelming behind Al Tariq in the Dubawi Stakes, but it’s entirely possible that he needed the run and will come on a lot for that effort. There is a lot of pace here courtesy of the wide drawn Al Tariq, Meraas and Bet Law and that should be perfect for this horse who likes to stalk the pace. Jockey Andrea Atzeni has not enjoyed the best of luck at Meydan so far, but this is a chance for him to put his recent experience of the surface to good use. I like Canvassed to overhaul the pacesetters in the run for home.

Friday February 4, 2022: FREE Past Performances

Angus McNae’s Meydan Overview & Selections – Week 4:

Three winners last week at Meydan, albeit at short prices, has given this column a bit of impetus and I am going to attack this week’s card with five selections.

Good luck everybody.

9:35am ET Meydan: Rudy Trigger

This Argentinian raider is fully 19 pounds clear on official ratings from his nearest rival. He is rated 110 having won three of his five starts in his native country and will be very hard to beat here. He handles a dirt surface and has plenty of pace which are attributes that are vital to winning on the dirt at Meydan. In his latest Grade 2 success he made all to win by 5 lengths in a very fast time of 1m 10.23s. If he reproduces that effort he will win by clear daylight. Opposition is thin on the ground here and from stall 4 I can see him dominating his rivals and sauntering to success.

10:10am ET Meydan: New Science

This horse makes his Dubai debut today and can continue to progress after displaying plenty of ability in his four runs in Europe in 2021. He won two of those starts, most notably a Listed race at Ascot where he beat the future dual Grade 1 winner Angel Blue. Following that Ascot success, he was unlucky not to go close to winning at Longchamp in the Prix De La Rochette. He was continually denied a run having travelled against the rail and once extricated was then badly hampered. That run is a complete right off. He is better judged on his Ascot win and with plenty of stamina on the Dam’s side of the pedigree this step up to a mile looks sure to suit, as will further in time. He is drawn widest of all in stall 7, but in such a small field William Buick should be able to fashion a decent trip.

10:45am ET Meydan: Tuz

Tuz is tough, consistent and mildly progressive and with doubts about the likely favourite Hypothetical this horse can take advantage. Those doubts about Hypothetical arise because of a lacklustre reappearance, which may be explained away by lack of fitness, but that is dark art stuff in my opinion. I prefer the consistent Tuz who won the Dubai Creek mile last time out with some useful horses beaten behind him. He was third in the Burj Nahaar last season behind a fully firing Midnight Sands and this renewal of the Firebreak Stakes is not as strong as that race. He hails from the in-form Bupat Seemar yard and figures to get a decent stalking trip on a track that seemed to be more of a level playing field last week.

11:20am Meydan: Hot Rod Charlie

The more I look at this race and try to convince myself that this horse is vulnerable the stronger I feel about his chance. He is the best dirt horse in the race by some way. He was third in the 2021 Kentucky derby, second in the 2021 Belmont Stakes, fourth in the 2021 Breeders’ Cup Classic and last time out was beaten just a nose in the Grade 2 San Antonio Stakes. That form shines like a beacon over what his rivals have achieved. He is a front-runner which is no bad thing at Meydan and can get to the front from stall 3. I am a fan of Kafoo who is lightly raced and will come on a lot for his experience in Round 1 of this Al Maktoum Challenge, but round two could be beyond him in the face of this classy American raider.

11:55am Meydan: Violent Justice

On Christmas Eve this horse stepped out on a racecourse for the second time in his career at Jebel Ali. He did so after a fairly promising start to his career at Meydan where he was slowly away, faced kickback, and ran with promise to finish 6th beaten just over 4 lengths. To say he learnt from that at Jebel Ali would be an understatement. He won impressively by 10 lengths in maiden company and is worth his place in this higher grade now. He has a useful dirt pedigree and is trained by Doug Watson who has such a sure touch with horses that he runs on this surface. He is worth chancing against a number of Godolphin horses who are not really bred to go on Dirt.

Angus McNae’s Meydan Overview & Selections – Week 4:

Three winners last week at Meydan, albeit at short prices, has given this column a bit of impetus and I am going to attack this week’s card with five selections.

Good luck everybody.

9:35am ET Meydan: Rudy Trigger

10:10am ET Meydan: New Science

10:45am ET Meydan: Tuz

11:20am Meydan: Hot Rod Charlie

11:55am Meydan: Violent Justice

Friday January 28, 2022: FREE Past Performances

Angus McNae’s Meydan Overview & Selections – Week 3:

So far, not so good with selections at the Carnival with some unfathomable results and a much better rail on the dirt track than could have been anticipated at this early stage of the Carnival.

There are five races on the turf this week, three on the dirt and I five selections on an excellent eight race card:

10:10am ET Meydan: Dubai Future

This horse is a class above his rivals and if he doesn’t bounce out of his impressive win here last time out, he will be very hard to beat. He has abundant back class including a fifth in the Sheema Classic last season behind Mishriff and he was most impressive when winning here at Meydan a fortnight ago. He destroyed a useful field displaying a fine turn of foot and beat the useful Star Safari by 5 1/4 lengths. A repeat performance will see him winning this easily. He has to give 3lb to his rivals here but looks to be in a class of his own in this field and he can be another winner at this year’s Carnival for the in-form Saeed Bin Suroor.

10:45am ET Meydan: Shahama

On official ratings this horse is 12lb clear of her rivals and should win even if she can’t grab the golden rail on the dirt. This filly has been impressive winning her last two races at Meydan and has found herself in a particularly weak renewal of the UAE 1000 Guineas. She won a maiden here last year and was then impressive when winning the trial for this race. She clearly handles the dirt surface well and a look at her pedigree highlights that she is bred to be a high-class dirt per former. She is a half-sister to the Preakness winner Lookin At Lucky and in a weak field she should be hard to beat.

11:20am ET Meydan: Star Safari

This horse looked as if he retained all his ability when finishing a decent second to Dubai Future on his first start for 4 months. He was caught too far back given how that race was run and it was quite eye-catching the way he ran on strongly in the closing stages, without being given a hard time. He has good form here at Meydan having won three of his six starts and he is well drawn here in stall 3 over his preferred 10-furlong trip. He can give Charlie Appleby another Carnival winner.

11:55am ET Meydan: Desert Safari

This was a more than useful horse for Mark Johnston last season and is a very interesting recruit for Salem Bin Gahdayer. He is unproven on dirt but has loads of early pace and Mikael Barzalona is a master on this dirt track and it is entirely possible that from a good draw in stall 2 he will be sent to the front and make all the running. He will need to hold the rail and keep the speedy Bochart outside him. If he does that he will be very hard to catch from the front.

12:30pm ET Meydan: Real World

I have always been a huge fan of this horse who possesses a huge speed figure when winning at Ascot last June. He has to give weight away all around in this Group 2 contest – but he is better than all of his rivals. He has an inside draw in stall 1 and with the rail out 12 metres on the turf that is an advantage over those drawn wide. He boasts a very good season in 2021 which includes a defeat of Lord Glitters in the Strensall Stakes at York and a facile win in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot. He towers over these in terms of class and can complete a good day for trainer Saeed Bin Suroor.

Friday January 21, 2022: FREE Past Performances

Angus McNae’s Meydan Overview & Selections – Week 2:

Week one was a nightmare from a punting point of view – all selections running poorly. What was reassuring was the fact that pace on the rail on the dirt track looked to confer a big advantage and it will continue to do so throughout the Carnival. The turf course looked to ride as well as always without the usual Godolphin dominance. I expect that to change this week.

I am going with four selections again this week:

9:35am ET Meydan: New Kingdom

I am always keen to follow lightly raced progeny of Dubawi as they progress through their career and I take this promising gelding to make big strides now he is in Dubai. He has a lovely pedigree and built on his debut fifth at Newmarket with a win at Haydock where he showed he had learnt plenty from his debut and benefited from stepping up to 1600 metres. He goes another furlong here which will definitely suit him and he is well drawn in stall 2. He made all when he won last time and William Buick may adopt the same tactics from his good draw. He is the best-bred horse in the race and has a progressive profile and that makes him an attractive punting proposition.

10:10am ET Meydan: Albahr

This is the UAE 2000 Guineas trial and I believe this is one of the best horses to have contested this race for a number of years. I say that because he is already a Grade 1 winner. That win came in the Summer Stakes at Woodbine on his final start last season. Prior to that he won three races on the bounce in the UK including a Listed race at Salisbury. The big question he has to answer is whether he will handle the dirt surface. Given that he is by the multi surface sire Dubawi out of a mare who was by the dirt sire Street Cry there is every chance that a dirt surface will be no problem and he could improve for it. If he handles it he wins.

11:55am ET Meydan: Freedom Fighter

The Seemar team have farmed this race recently winning four of the last five renewals and I am taking a chance that this recruit for their Bob Baffert yard in the USA can continue their domination of this race. He brings Graded stakes form from America and handles the dirt. He has only had 4 starts in his career and after winning over 5 furlongs on debut was asked to step up to 7 and 8 furlongs. Now back to sprinting he can take a big step forward and outline the skills of the Seemar team with sprinters. He is a sporting selection to upset some tough local sprinters in a good renewal of this race.

12:30pm ET Meydan: Rebel’s Romance

Once again I go to a Dubawi / Street Cry cross (see Albahr above). This time we have a horse who has already proved his worth on the dirt here at Meydan, being the winner of the UAE Derby last year. He now needs to step up meeting older horses for the first time but given his dominant display in the UAE Derby and the fact that he is unbeaten at Meydan he is worth supporting here. His only career defeat has only come in Saudi where the track is completely different to Meydan and this is a track which really suits this horse. He is reasonably well drawn in stall 5 and is worth supporting to complete a stellar day for the Godolphin blue.

Friday January 14, 2022: FREE Past Performances

Angus McNae’s Meydan Overview & Selections – Week 1:

The 2022 Dubai International Carnival at Magnificent Meydan where the Dirt meets the Turf begins on Friday. The action gets underway with two feature races – the Al Maktoum Challenge on the Dirt and the Cape Verdi on the Turf. Both races have attracted plenty of runners and the whole card is of the highest quality, with some decent international challengers adding spice to the meeting.

Four selections this week. All the best!

9:35am ET Meydan: Taking Names

Despite a dull effort last time out I think this Doug Watson trained colt can bounce back to the sort of form that saw him when his maiden impressively here last November. In that race he travelled powerfully and thrashed Summer Is Tomorrow, who went on to win a maiden by 4 1/2 lengths next time out. Faith in the selection requires forgiveness for Taking Names did not fire last time up, but he was slowly away and had to take a lot of kickback. He merely plugged on in that race and it’s possible that he recoiled a bit from his big first-time up effort. Pat Dobbs will be keen to get him to break better this time and make full use of his inside draw in stall 1.

10:10am ET Meydan: Wirko

You won’t go far wrong if you follow Charlie Appleby and William Buick on the Turf at Meydan and this lightly raced individual looks the ideal type too thrive under these conditions. He has only had four career starts, winning two of them and his win in the Listed Blue Riband trial at Epsom was achieved despite inexperience – and won in a fast time. Compared to most of his rivals today he is relatively unexposed and open to improvement. He has been off the track since running poorly in the Chester Vase in May where the prevailing soft ground may have been against him. The beautiful turf carpet at Meydan will definitely suit him and it looks like he has been saved for a big tilt at this year’s carnival. William Buick will have to negate the disadvantage of stall 10 but apart from that I can see very few negatives as regards this horse’s chance.

11:20am ET Meydan: Midnight Sands

This horse is a Meydan specialist having won 6 of his 9 starts here on the Dirt track. This one-turn mile is ideal for him, and he has had a recent run to blow the cobwebs away. On the face of it he was a little disappointing on his return to action, but he endured a bad wide trip and was not persevered with when beaten. That run should see him spot on for this and against a few rivals who have Saudi on their radar he may be sharper than some of them. He is highly thought of as evidenced by the fact that he went off favourite for the Godolphin mile last year on World Cup night and Pat Dobbs has chosen him rather than the useful Golden Goal. This is a deep dirt race with a lot of pace on but this will suit Midnight Sands who already boasts a Grade 3 win here.

11:55am ET Meydan: Wedding Dance

Charlie Appleby has won this race for the last three years and can land it again with this progressive filly. She will need to take a step forward from her cosy Wolverhampton success last time up, but she won that race in a very good time and it has always been a maxim of mine when assessing racehorses to ask not what they beat but how fast did they run. She was very strong in the closing stages of that race and stepping up to a mile here given her stamina laden pedigree can only be a plus. She is well berthed in stall 1 for a ground saving trip and I expect William Buick to angle her out in the home straight and allow her to finish her race off strongly. This is never a very strong fillies contest, and she looks to be a standout against this opposition.

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