Dubai World Cup Racing Tips

Meydan’s biggest meeting of the year is back on Saturday with the Dubai World Cup taking centre stage.

We have selections for all the thoroughbred races on the card which includes no fewer than five Group 1 races and three Group 2s.

The feature races include the Al Quoz Sprint, Sheema Classic, Dubai Turf and the Dubai World Cup at 4.35 (UK time).

Race 2 - Godolphin Mile

It’s hard to get away from the favourite in the first thoroughbred race on the card. Saudi Crown ran a mighty race in defeat in Saudi Arabia last time out, setting unsustainable fractions but sticking around for third. This track should help play to his strengths given that he’s a confirmed front-runner and he will be hard to beat with a repeat performance.

Selection: Saudi Crown

Race 3 - Dubai Gold Cup

Tower Of London seems to be getting better with every run. He was only just touched off in the Bahrain Trophy before a big run when fourth in the St Leger, and while things didn’t go his way in the Irish Cesarewitch on his penultimate start, he bounced back with a big run in Riyadh when well backed. He should run a big race with the four-year-old allowance in his favour.

Selection: Tower Of London

Race 4 - Al Quoz Sprint

Last year’s winner, Danyah, seems to have been overlooked in the betting at the early odds. He’s run two creditable races in defeat in Group company already this carnival and a return to this straight course with a decent draw should play to his strengths.

Selection: Danyah

Race 5 - UAE Derby

With a few significant non-runners in this contest, it opens the door for the Japanese raider, Forever Young. He was 3-3 in dirt races in Japan before showing he could mix it on the international stage at Riyadh last month and that run is worth upgrading given his track position on the day.

Selection: Forever Young

Race 6 - Golden Shaheen

One of the most competitive races on the card but with a handy draw down in stall 2, Tuz looks like a solid each-way contender. He bolted up in the Dubawi Stakes over course and distance earlier in the season and it’s worth forgiving a poor run in Riyadh since. He looks like a major player back here with several of his main rivals forced to come from much wider draws.

Selection: Tuz

Race 7 - Dubai Turf

Lord North has been successful in the last three renewals of this race but he has his work cut out to be the first eight-year-old to ever win the Dubai Turf. It may be worth taking him on with Voyage Bubble, who has plenty of smart form in Hong Kong to his name. He has to prove he’s as good going left-handed but he’s reportedly settled in well to life in Dubai since his arrival at the start of the month and his morning trackwork has reportedly been good.

Selection: Voyage Bubble

Race 8 - Sheema Classic

It’s hard to work out why Justin Palace is a big price in the Sheema Classic. He finished runner-up to the mighty Equinox earlier this season and he has a Japanese Grade 1 win in the book in the form of the spring Tenno Sho. His fourth in the Arima Kinen last time out is another useful piece of form and he has both a good draw in stall 3, and a top jockey with Joao Moreira taking over in the saddle.

Selection: Justin Palace

Race 9 - Dubai World Cup

A step up in trip could really play to Senor Buscador’s strengths. He was last seen coming home on top from a near impossible position to land the Saudi Cup last month and the way he shapes suggests there could be even more to come at this sort of trip. Hold-up performers aren’t always suited by this track but there’s plenty of pace in the race and if he doesn’t find this coming too soon, he should be involved in the finish once again.

Selection: Senor Buscador