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: SMKA – MK by Honeywell Handicap
About 7 Furlongs on the Tapeta main track
$20,000 for Northern Hemisphere 4+ and Southern Hemisphere 3+
For Horses rated 60-80
This race will be run out of a chute down the backstretch with a long run to the far turn. DARBOOS (Mr. Greeley) was a sharp winner two starts back on the dirt at Jebel Ali then just missed there last out going this distance. FINAL RECOVERY (Refuse To Bend) sports a solid record racing on all weather tracks and drops down a bit in class here for Doug Watson. ENJOY TODAY (Kingmambo) broke his maiden here last out going longer in his all weather debut.
Selections:
#1 DARBOOS
#3 FINAL RECOVERY
#9 ENJOY TODAY
Race 2: Al Naboodah Travel & Tourism Handicap
About 1 3/8 Miles on the Tapeta main track
$25,000 for Northern Hemisphere 4+ and Southern Hemisphere 3+
For Horses rated 80-98
This race will be run around two turns on the Tapeta main track with a long run into the first turn. TAHAAMAH (King's Best) finished up last year with a good second going ten furlongs on the all weather at Kempton for Godolphin. He won first up going 2,100 meters and gets in light here. DR FAUSTUS (Sadler’s Wells) raced well in a group III stakes race here last year going this distance and should be fit with two races over the track already. ZAIN SHAMARDAL (Shamardal) stretches out in distance off an even effort on the turf last out.
Selections:
#14 TAHAAMAH
#1 DR FAUSTUS
#3 ZAIN SHAMARDAL
Race 3: Swaidan Trading Company Peugeot Handicap
About 1 3/16 Miles on the Tapeta main track
$20,000 for Northern Hemisphere 4+ and Southern Hemisphere 3+
For Horses rated 60-85
This race will be run around two turns on the Tapeta main track. MAWADDAH (Intikhab) sports a solid record on all weather tracks and was an easy winner at Kempton the last time he raced on one. Returns off a long layoff here. FURNACE (Green Desert) was a sharp winner here two weeks ago when he carried high weight. PASCHENDALE (Refuse to Bend) was a good second last out but draws post 14 here.
Selections:
#3 MAWADDAH
#2 FURNACE
#1 PASCHENDALE
Race 4: Swaidan Trading Company - VDL Handicap
About 1 Mile on the Tapeta main track
$20,000 for Northern Hemisphere 4 & Up and Southern Hemisphere 3 & Up
For Horses rated 75-95
This race will be run out of a chute down the backstretch with a long run into the far turn. LAYALI AL ANDALUS (Halling) just missed here last month in his all weather debut and should be a stretch factor for Richard Mullen. His prior ratings on turf were much better than these. CLASP (Singspiel) was a sharp winner here going this distance and picks up two pounds. SHAMEKH (Shamardal) has the look of an improving runner with three starts last month.
Selections:
#2 LAYALI AL ANDALUS
#1 CLASP
#3 SHAMEKH
Race 5: Al Naboodah Construction Group Handicap
About 1 Mile on the Turf
$30,000 for Northern Hemisphere 4+ and Southern Hemisphere 3+
For Horses rated 90-102
This race will be run around one turn with a long run down the backstretch. KRYPTON FACTOR (Kyllachy) ran well here last season against good ones on both turf and all weather. He was a good third in a group III stakes race here, then was a good third on the turf going seven furlongs. Kieran Fallon rides back. PRINCE D’ALIENOR (Verglas) was a sharp winner on the turf at Longchamp last out in October on soft turf and draws well with Mirco Demuro. FIRESTREAK (Green Desert) was a good winner here last out going seven furlongs.
Selections:
#6 KRYPTON FACTOR
#1 PRINCE D’ALIENOR
#10 FIRESTREAK
Race 6: Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group Handicap
About 7 Furlongs on the Tapeta main track
$110,000 Northern Hemisphere 4+ and Southern Hemisphere 3+
For horses rated 95-105
This race will be run out of a chute down the backstretch with a long run to the far turn. RUSSIAN ROCK (Rock of Gibraltar) loves the Tapeta track here and was a good third last out at course and distance. BRIDGEFIELD (Speightstown ) was a close second last out here and gets Barzalona. GLOBAL CITY (Exceed and Excel) has a good record on the all weather and just missed on it last out at Lingfield.
Selections:
#3 RUSSIAN ROCK
#5 BRIDGEFIELD
#6 GLOBAL CITY
