Dubai Contenders

Anyone game enough to make a

call? :slight_smile:

I’ll update these with better analysis as we get closer to the races and the

entries are more ‘confirmed’.

Godolphin Mile
Well only two

entries so far. Hard to call that one, but Secretsarebound probably over the younger Gotta

Go.

UAE Derby
A bunch of Derby contenders having a hit-out

in this classic… I’m going to go with Duplicate Copy over Crimson Lord from Do You

Dare.

Dubai Sheema Classic
Couple of nice horses… Doc

Hollywood from Highland Grace then Irish Flyer.

[b]Dubai Golden

Shaheen[/b]
Big time sprinters… The Patriot over Dreamboat from No

Comment.

Dubai Duty Free
Wow, this is a nice field… All

the big turf horses… Ring of Fire then Witness then Foolhardy.

[b]Dubai World

Cup[/b]
Another really nice field! National Post then Strider then Sudden

Death.

Anyone else got any ideas? Maybe some more in-depth analysis? :stuck_out_tongue:

Well Jase thanks for putting

the hex on my horse lol. The Patriot looks like a horse to contend with in the Golden

Shaheen. High Chances is probably the favorite for this race but it should suit up for a

great race.

Also I have Knight’s Luck entered in the Godolphin Mile, he is 4 for 5 this

year and he will have to step up in class to win this one.He had some Nice G1 wins last year

so maybe i can get lucky with him again.

Here’s some more attempted

analysis of the stakes races on Saturday…

[b]<span

style=‘font-size:11pt;line-height:100%’>Next Move Handicap[/b]
Clendon

Park - A.P. Diamond - Perchance To Dream

[b]Clendon

Park[/b]
National Champion 4YO mare who seems to have got better with age this

year. Only finished worse than second twice this year in eight starts. She’s won a GI, two

GII’s and a GIII, all around the distance of this. Last start she easily defeated the best

SC mares when she won the GI Santa Margarita Handicap over 9F. Hard to go past in

this.
A.P. Diamond
Class 4YO mare who’s been in the top three

every start this year and shouldn’t have a problem achieving that again. Last win was an

ungraded stakes over 8.5F last year. Has had a number of good runs this year, mostly being

defeated by Clendon Park. Can’t see her turning the tables on her as she’s been off for a

month, but she should have an honest race.
[b]Perchance To

Dream[/b]
Grand Champion 4YO mare who looked spent this year until her very

speedy win in the GII San Luis Rey Handicap last start. Maybe likes them a little longer, but

she has got form around this distance. Has been inconsistent this year, but has been racing

with the best and she should be running on well in this. Place chance, can’t see her beating

her stable-mate home.

[b]<span

style=‘font-size:11pt;line-height:100%’>Distaff Breeders’ Cup

Handicap[/b]
Black Magick - In The Know - Long Shot

[b]Black

Magick[/b]
Grand Champion 3YO filly who has come back this year in great form.

She’s won five from seven races, including two GI victories. Her 8F form is awesome, she’s

won a GI over that distance and a GI over 7F so no problems there. She is coming of a fairly

easy win in a turf allowance. Last dirt start was fourth in In The Know’s GI Thousand

Guineas over 8F. Should go very close.
In The Know
Very good

Champion 3YO filly who has only been below fourth once in her career, still bringing home a

cheque by finishing fifth. Very consistent against the top class, she’s been second in four

stakes, two being GI. Two starts back she wired the GI Thousand Guineas over 8F. Then she ran

second in the GI Santa Anita Oaks over 8.5F. She probably should have won, but was found to

have swelling in her RF leg. Will give this a good go.
[b]Long

Shot[/b]
National Champion 4YO mare who doesn’t seem to have found the level she

was at in her 3YO year when she won three GI’s straight. She’s been there, but not quite

there in all her starts this year, though she has had some good runs against the boys. She’s

also having her first start against the younger fillies which I don’t think looks to be in

her favour. Should place though.

[b]<span

style=‘font-size:11pt;line-height:100%’>Orchid Handicap[/b]
Hollywood

Mystery - What’s Your Dream - Time For Triumph

[b]Hollywood

Mystery[/b]
Grand Champion 4YO mare who looks in great form this year. Hasn’t

won since winning the GI Vassels Stallion Farm Distaff over 8.5F five starts back. Has had

some credible runs since then including a third behind Highland Grace and fourth in the Cox

Plate behind Witness, her only other try at 10F this year. She looks pretty good back in this

class now and should do well.
What’s Your Dream
National

Champion 4YO mare who hasn’t come back this year as good as last year, yet. Still, she has

been competitive all year and does have the ungraded Irish O’Brien Stakes over only 6F under

her belt. Has been beat by Hollywood Mystery a couple of times and I’m not sure if she’s up

to turning the tables. Place chance.
Time For Triumph
Very

consistent Champion 4YO mare who’s been running long races all year. Last three starts have

all been wins, twice over 11.5F and once over 10.5F. She can handle this distance no problem.

She’s been stakes placed a number of times with her best performance probably being a second

behind American Rhapsody in a GII last year. Should be running on well for a

place.

[b]Gulfstream Park

Handicap[/b]
Revolution - Princely Moment - Highest

Starr

Revolution
National Champion 4YO stallion who’s

beeing winning stakes since he was a 2YO. Nice and consistent this year against the better

horses in his age such as National Post, Crystal Rainbow and Sudden Death. Looks to have this

small field pretty easily covered. Has won over this distance already this year and should be

hard to beat on his last start second in the GIII Geelong Cup over 12F. Looks fit for

this.
Princely Moment
Lightly raced Champion 4YO stallion.

Only been sent to the starter three times this year and has come back each time with a

cheque. Best run when looking at this race would have to be two starts back when third in a

12.5F allowance behind Strider and Ray of Light. Has since run a second in the GIII Toboggan

Handicap over 7F. Should be running on well.
[b]Highest

Starr[/b]
Champion Highland Rogue 4YO stallion. Hasn’t had the best of years

with five starts bringing back three fourths. Best run was in the GII San Marcos Stakes over

10F turf when fourth behind King David, Alley Cat and Candidate. Other than that he hasn’t

faced any top competition. Hard to see him figuring much in this race.

[b]<span

style=‘font-size:11pt;line-height:100%’>Caltech Handicap[/b]
Major’s

Flight - The High Land - American Rhapsody

[b]Major’s

Flight[/b]
Grand Champion 5YO stallion who has been chasing an illusive stakes

win for a long time now. I think he’ll pick it up in this race. It is a pretty weak field

for some reason. Form this year has been pretty good. He’s raced three times for a third

behind Mission Bay in the GIII Mac Diarmida Handicap over 11F and second behind Kensington

Road in the ungraded Stymie Handicap over 9F. Should find the 13F a problem and looks pretty

good for this.
The High Land
Pretty consistent 5YO Champion

stallion. This guy is yet to win a stakes races, but has been close a couple of times. Has

had a couple of good runs this year. I think his last start was the best. He was third in the

GII San Rafael Stakes over 7F behind Magic Glory. The race had very high SF’s posted. Looks

pretty fit for this and he should have no problem placing.
[b]American

Rhapsody[/b]
This National Champion 4YO mare is another one who’s still looking

for her 2008 form which was a little up and down anyway. Still, she’s had a couple of good

runs this year, her best being a second to Clendon Park in the GII Buena Vista Handicap over

8F about a month back. Looks like she will improve any moment and I can’t see why it won’t

be here. Place chance.

<span

style=‘font-size:11pt;line-height:100%’>[b]Portrero Grande Breeders’ Cup

Handicap[/b]
Peace Patriot - Harry Potter - Highland

Continental

Peace Patriot
Multiple stakes placed 4YO

stallion who has been running quite well this year. Won a 10.5F allowance a few starts back

and then went on to third in the GIII Canadian Turf Handicap over 8.5F. I don’t think the

distance will be a problem for him as he has a fourth in the GIII Geelong Cup over 12F on

dirt, and turf looks to be his preference. Strong chance to get his first stakes win

here.
Harry Potter
Grand Champion 5YO stallion who is long

overdue for a stakes win. Hasn’t won a race this year, but has had a number of strong runs

over the distance. He ran a second in a 12F allowance before going on to run third in the GII

Winning Edge Stakes over 12F. If he continues on with that form then it is quite hard to see

him having a bad run in this.
Highland Continental
Champion

5YO gelding who is yet to win a stakes. Hasn’t had brilliant form coming into this race, but

has had a couple of good runs early in the year. Relevant to this race, he finished third in

a 12.5F allowance. Did run a third in the ungraded El Conejo Handicap over 5.5F. Bit short to

be a pointer for this. Don’t think he can win this, but he is wonderfully bred and that can

take a horse a long way.

<span

style=‘font-size:11pt;line-height:100%’>[b]Godolphin

Mile[/b]
Secretsarebound - I Swear - Gotta

Go

Secretsarebound
Champion 5YO stallion who’s been running

very well this year. Looked very good when he won the GI Caulfield Stakes two starts back

over 10F. Also won the GII Chelmsford Stakes over 8F first start this year. Has the ability

to run a very quick mile and looks like he should have this one under his thumb. He also is

the only horse in the field to have won stakes this year.
[b]I

Swear[/b]
Up and coming 3YO colt who is having only his eighth career start. Won

two allowances this year, one over 8.5F and the other over 7F. Ran a good third in the

ungraded Sham Stakes over 9F. Last start he ran in the GII Caulfield Sprint over 5.5F and

split the class spinters High Chances and Best Kept Secret. Should be close to the leaders

when the hit the wire.
Gotta Go
Champion 3YO who has been very

consistent this year. Won an 8F stakes race in his 2YO year. Hasn’t won this year, but has

been close a number of times. Was last with an injury last start in the 9.5F GI Florida

Derby. Prior to that he was fourth in the 8F GI Caulfield Guineas. Back one more he was a

very close second in the 8.5F GI Fountain Of Youth Stakes. Should be considered as a place

chance.

[b]UAE

Derby[/b]
Duplicate Copy - As You Wish - Do You

Dare

Duplicate Copy
Champion 3YO colt who has done

everything right this year and looks on par to take this one home. Won the GI Caulfield

Guineas over 8F two starts back looking very strong. Then took another GI last start in the

Florida Derby over 9.5F. Can’t fault either of those performances though he is meeting a

couple of horses here for only the first or second time. Big chance.
[b]As You

Wish[/b]
Champion 3YO colt with awesome lines and from a top stable. Has been

hard to fault in each of his five starts this year. Won two stakes, one a 5F GII and the

other a 8F GIII, then placed in a 7.5F GII. After that he had a GI start in the 8.5F GI

Fountain Of Youth and never looked like he settled finishing seventh. Came back last start to

win 10F GII Robinson Stakes going away over a good field. Will be hard to beat if he gets his

run.
Do You Dare
Champion 3YO colt from award winning stable

who is beautifully bred. Has been improving all year with a number of strong allowance runs.

Shocked a few people when he absolutely trounced a class field in the GI Spring Champion

Stakes over 10F. Had no luck when fifth in the 10F GII Robinson Stakes last start. Will be

hard to beat if he can regain his Spring Champion Stakes form.

<span

style=‘font-size:11pt;line-height:100%’>[b]Dubai Sheema

Classic[/b]
Candidate - Highland Grace - Doc

Hollywood

Candidate
Grand Champion 4YO stallion who won

2008’s Kentucky Derby. Has won on every ground over almost every distance. Has resumed well

this year with some good stakes placings and awesome win in the 8F GI Epsom Handicap.

Relevant to this he was third in the 11.5F GIII Newcastle Gold Cup behind Witness and he was

second behind Cutless in the 12F GII Winning Edge Stakes. Should be hard to

beat.
Highland Grace
World Champion 5YO mare from a top

stable. Hasn’t come back this year showing the same dominace she did last year, but you

can’t take anything away from her. Three starts back was second to Twilight Embers in the 8F

GI Santa Maria Handicap. Then won 9F GII Rampart Handicap and last start she won the GIII 7F

Tristac Stakes. Hard to say if she’ll stay the distance, but don’t discount

her.
Doc Hollywood
Grand Champion 4YO stallion with lines to

die for. Has run some solid races against top competition. Yet to find some luck on turf, but

dirt wise he’s been racing strongly. Was third in National Post’s GI Santa Anita Handicap

over 10F. Last start he was third behind Orion’s Bell in the ungraded San Pedro Stakes over

9.5F. He’ll be in the finish, but it is hard to see him winning.

<span

style=‘font-size:11pt;line-height:100%’>[b]Dubai Golden

Shaheen[/b]
High Chances - The Patriot - Dreamboat

[b]High

Chances[/b]
National Champion 5YO stallion who’s got strong claims on being the

best sprinter around. Has won four from five this year and is impossible to fault. His only

lost came in the 6F GIII Baguette Stakes when he went down second to Best Kept Secret. Has

won at 6F twice this year at GIII and GII level. Has won a GI over 7F, the Invitation Stakes,

beating The Patriot. Last start he won the GII Caulfield Sprint over 5.5F. Looks set to add

this to his crown.
The Patriot
National Champion 4YO gelding

who also is one of the top sprinters. Seven starts for five wins, a second and a sixth this

year. Has only met High Chances once this year in the GI 7F Invitation Stakes where he

finished second. However, he has since been on a winning streak bringing home two GIII 7F

stakes and a GII 5F stakes. Will be hard to run down if he can find the

lead.
Dreamboat
National Champion 4YO mare who is so far the

best sprinting mare this year. Has raced seven times this year for four wins and three

seconds. Can’t fault that when she’s run second over unsuitible distances to the likes of

Twilight Embers, Celtic Glory and Chief’s Lady. Yet to face the boys this year, but with

three of her stakes wins being at 6F and the other at 7F, she’s a strong chance to cause an

upset.

[b]Dubai Duty

Free[/b]
Ring Of Fire - King David - Witness

[b]Ring Of

Fire[/b]
National champion 4YO stallion who is looking like he’s maturing into a

top horse this year. Has start five times for four wins. His loss was a third to over 12F in

Witness’s GI Caulfield Cup. Back to a much better distance here. He’s won two GI races this

year, one the 9F Barretts Stakes beating Cutlass and Foolhardy, and the other the 8F George

Main Stakes beating Witness and Foolhardy. Will be very hard to beat in

this.
King David
International Champion 4YO stallion who needs

no introduction. Has started five times for four wins and a third. The third was in the 7F

GII Warwick Stakes to American Starz and Foolhardy. Has since won over all the best turf

horses, though he hasn’t met Ring Of Fire. Best run when winning The Metropolitan over 12F

at GI level over Foolhardy and Witness. Will be tough to beat and is sure to give his

all.
Witness
Grand Champion 3YO colt who is really shaping

into a top turf horse. Has been hard to fault this year, a lone fourth being his worse

placing in American Starz’s 7F GII Warwick Stakes. Has run against all of the best horses

and managed to consistently show his class. Best of his four stakes wins this year was in the

10F GI Cox Plate when he shot around the field to win over American Starz and Foolhardy. If

he can get a clear run he’ll be hard to run down.

Also deserving a

mention…
Foolhardy
Internatonal Champion 5YO stallion who

gives his all every race. Oldest horse in the field. Has raced nine times and hasn’t

finished below third this year. Has won two GI’s in his three wins for the year including

the 6F Manikato Stakes over Worth The Work and Whistler’s Point and the 12F Caulfield Cup

over Witness and Ring Of Fire. Not going in his favour is that he has been beaten this year

by every horse in the field bar one. Not sure if he’s rested enough for this. Strong place

chance though.
American Starz
Champion 3YO colt who seems to

be on the improve. Has won two GII stakes this year, the best being in the 7F Warwick Stakes

when he downed a class field including Foolhardy, King David and Witness. Has had a number of

good stakes placing also including his last start second in the GI 10F Cox Plate behind

Witness and infront of Foolhardy. Strong 3YO who if he has a good run should manage a

place.

<span

style=‘font-size:11pt;line-height:100%’>[b]Dubai World

Cup[/b]
National Post - Strider - Sudden Death

[b]National

Post[/b]
National Champion 4YO stallion who is supurbly bred and in a top stable.

Has run credibly in all his six starts this year, a fourth being his worst placing. He’s won

two GI’s, the first being the 9F Underwood Stakes over Sudden Death and Revolution and the

second being the 10F Santa Anita Handicap over Nightfight and Doc Hollywood. Very good

stallion from a classic family who should have no trouble with this field. Strong

chance.
Strider
National Champion 4YO stallion who is actually

the combination of a Chef de Race stallion and a Reines de Course mare. Hasn’t had too much

luck in his five starts this year. However, he came trough with the goods and won the 9F GI

Donn Handicap strongly over National Post and Sudden Death. Also ran third to National Post

and Sudden Death in the GII 8F JohnF. Feehan Stakes. Last start is a bit troubling though, he

was fourth in the ungraded 9.5F San Pedro Stakes won by Orion Bell. Will hopefully be fitter

for this though.
Sudden Death
Grand Champion 4YO stallion who

is probably the best stakes placer around. Has started eight times this year with his worst

finish being a fourth. He won the 8.5F GII San Pasqual Handicap over Highland Mystery and

Evergreen earlier this year. Since then he’s run a host of seconds and thirds in a number of

stakes races, including GI races. Has had a nice long rest, however, still can’t see him

winning, but he’ll definately be a chance for a place.

<span

style=‘font-size:14pt;line-height:100%’>[b]GOOD LUCK

EVERYONE![/b]