Dick Powell has handicapped every race since the Dubai International Racing Carnival’s inception in 2004. He sets the morning line for the Carnival races and his selections and analysis can be found at www.amwestentertainment.com.
Race 1: Freehold Trophy Handicap
About 1 Mile on the Tapeta main track
$120,000 for Northern Hemisphere 4+ and Southern Hemisphere 3+
For Horses rated 100-110
This race will be run around one turn on the main track. ZANZAMAR (Fort Wood) was terrific here last year with three strong starts on the Tapeta. He won first up last year and should be ready to do it again. DISA LEADER (Parade Leader) was a group I stakes winner in the Mauritius Islands and makes his all weather debut for deKock. REEM (Galileo) is not the filly she used to be but a return to the Tapeta should help her out. Christophe Soumillon gets the mount.
Selections:
#3 ZANZAMAR
#2 DISA LEADER
#11 REEM
Race 2: Meydan Classic Trial sponsored by XPRESS
About 7 Furlongs on the Turf
$100,000 for Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere 3YO
This race will be run around one turn on the turf course with a long run down the backstretch. Use the www.emiratesracing.com website to get the individual ratings of all the horses in these races. Run under weight-for-age conditions, the higher rated horses have a big advantage in here. IP MAN (Mr Nancho) was a sharp winner in Kranji, Singapore three starts back on the turf and came here and won first out on the Tapeta. ENERGIA DUST (Amigoni) was a sharp maiden winner in Brazil back in May then moved into group I company immediately where he ran okay. He tried the Tapeta here last out and now goes back to turf where he drew outside. OLD PAL (Soldier Hollow) romped two starts back going this distance, then ran well in Germany. He makes his UAE debut and gets William Buick to ride.
Selections:
#2 IP MAN
#1 ENERGIA DUST
#11 OLD PAL
Race 3: UAE 1000 Guineas sponsored by Gulf News
About 1 Mile on the Tapeta main track
$250,000 for Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere 3YO Fillies
This race will be run around one turn on the main track with a long run down the backstretch. Use the www.emiratesracing.com website to get the individual ratings of all the horses in these races. Run under weight-for-age conditions, the higher rated horses have a big advantage in here. GAMILATI (Bernardini ) was a group II stakes winner on the turf last year, then won her prep for this with ease. ALSINDI (Acclamation) won her first two career starts including a group III going seven furlongs. She was no match for the top choice last out and figures to be second best again. MOON SPUN (Black Minnaloushe) broke her maiden second time out in South Africa and then was a close second in a group II there.
Selections:
#6 GAMILATI
#2 ALSINDI
#3 MOON SPUN
Race 4: Classified Trophy Handicap
About 5 Furlongs on the Turf
$175,000 for Northern Hemisphere 4 & Up and Southern Hemisphere 3 & Up
For Horses rated 100+
This race will be run down the straightaway of the turf course. MAR ADENTRO (Marju) was a terrific second three starts back at Longchamps behind group one stakes winner PROHIBIT, then he came back with a good fourth in the Prix Abbaye (Fr-I). HAPPY DUBAI (Indian Ridge) does his best running in the UAE and won one of these last year at this distance. IVER BRIDGE LAD (Avonbridge) ran well last out against CAPTAIN OBVIOUS and won a group III last November on the turf.
Selections:
#3 MAR ADENTRO
#4 HAPPY DUBAI
#2 IVER BRIDGE LAD
Race 5: Al Shindagha Sprint Stakes (UAE-III) sponsored by Gulf News
About 6 Furlongs on the Tapeta main track
$200,000 for Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere 3+
This race will be run around one turn on the Tapeta main track with a long run down the backstretch. Use the www.emiratesracing.com website to get the individual ratings of all the horses in these races. Run under weight-for-age conditions, the higher rated horses have a big advantage in here. CAPTAIN OBVIOUS (Verglas) has won three straight with the last two on the all weather. He won his Meydan debut convincingly and this is the race he has been pointed for. HITCHENS (Acclamation) was no match for the top choice last out but he ran well against DREAM AHEAD at Newmarket last year. ADDICTIVE DREAM (Kheleyf) goes for his third straight victory here and has run well on the all weather before.
Selections:
#11 CAPTAIN OBVIOUS
#9 HITCHENS
#4 ADDICTIVE DREAM
Race 6: Tabloid Trophy Handicap
About 1 3/4 Miles on the Turf
$150,000 Northern Hemisphere 4+ and Southern Hemisphere 3+
For horses rated 95+
This race will be run on the turf around two turns with a long run into the first turn. FOX HUNT (Dubawi) ran well in the Melbourne Cup (Aus-I) going two miles and won a group III stakes race at this distance carrying this weight two starts back. GLEN’S DIAMOND (Intikhab) won three straight including a group III at Chester. He has a race here to get ready and should be fit and ready. AVERROES (Galileo) goes for this third straight win after beating cheaper going this distance last out.
Selections:
#1 FOX HUNT
#8 GLEN’S DIAMOND
#3 AVERROES