Dubai World Cup Racing Tips
Dubai World Cup night is back on Saturday, taking place just an hour or so after the Grand National and there’s a host of Group races to get stuck into.
Forever Young will bid to follow up his Saudi Cup success last time out in the main event and there are plenty of other international superstars on Saturday’s card.
Here, we bring you selections and analysis for all eight races at Meydan on Saturday including a couple of value picks at double figure odds.
14.10 Meydan - 2m Race 2 - Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored By Al Tayer Motors (Group 2) (Turf) (4yo+)
Quite a competitive opener to kick off the races for the thoroughbreds with a chance taken on Trawlerman after he finished third in the race last year.
This renewal doesn’t look as deep, and he had a horror trip last year, doing well to finish as close as he did so he should go well with a bit better draw this time around.
Selection: Trawlerman
14.45 Meydan - 1m Race 3 - Godolphin Mile Sponsored By Emaar (Group 2) (Dirt) (3yo+)
Not many of these are proven at the very top level, but that can’t be said of Raging Torrent, who will be ridden by Frankie Dettori.
He gained a breakthrough Grade 1 success at Santa Anita on Boxing Day, and that effort probably sets the standard for his rivals to aim at.
Selection: Raging Torrent
15.20 Meydan - 6f Race 4 - Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored By Azizi Developments (Group 1) (Turf) (3yo+)
The straight course at Meydan is all about speed, and that will really suit the highly progressive West Acre, who arrives on the back of two Group wins over five furlongs here.
The extra furlong won’t be an issue given how strongly he saw out those contests, and he looks like he’ll get a strong pace to aim at once again.
Selection: West Acre
16.00 Meydan - 1m1½f Race 5 - UAE Derby Sponsored By Jumeirah (Group 2) (Dirt) (3yo)
Japanese raiders have a fantastic recent record in the UAE Derby, winning each of the last three renewals and they have a strong hand in this year’s renewal.
Shin Forever appeals most after a big run from a wide draw on Saudi Cup day and he looks capable of going well again here.
Selection: Shin Forever
16.40 Meydan - 6f Race 6 - Dubai Golden Shaheen Sponsored By Nakheel (Group 1) (Dirt) (3yo+)
Tuz took this race out last year, and he’s looked just as good this term, gaining no fewer than four course and distance wins in four outings.
Home advantage can be a major factor on the dirt at Meydan, particularly in the sprint races and he made light work of a deep field in 2024’s renewal.
Selection: Tuz
17.15 Meydan - 1m1f Race 7 - Dubai Turf Sponsored By DP World (Group 1) (Turf) (3yo+)
Romantic Warrior sets a rock-solid standard and he’s the right favourite for this but he had such a tough race on the dirt in the Saudi Cup last time, there has to be questions about whether that leaves a mark.
One that appeals each-way is Facteur Cheval. He was well held on dirt in the Saudi Cup, but that’s not his game and he showed he was capable of Group 1 form on turf throughout last season, including a success in this contest on his seasonal return.
If the favourite underperforms, he appeals at double-figure odds to take advantage.
Selection: Facteur Cheval
17.50 Meydan - 1m4f Race 8 - Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1) (Turf) (3yo+)
Shin Emperor couldn’t have been much more impressive when winning at Riyadh last time out, having gone close in the Japan Cup on his penultimate outing and there’s a chance he’ll be able to dominate these rivals from the front given that there’s very little pace in the race.
Selection: Shin Emperor
18.30 Meydan - 1m2f Race 9 - Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline (Group 1) (Dirt) (3yo+)
Forever Young has already shown a liking for this surface when landing last year’s UAE Derby on this card and after getting the better of Romantic Warrior at Riyadh last time, he looks like one of the better favourites on the night.
Selection: Forever Young