G3 – 1200m – Dirt
Horse Racing
Season
Mahab Al Shimaal – Form Comments
| 1 | Krypton Factor | An old favourite in this part of the world and he won this race – on a tapeta surface – way back in 2012. Still fast enough to win on turf here last year but he wasn’t quick enough to keep up – including against some of these rivals – over this course and distance in December. |
| 2 | Wonder Of Qatar | He has looked vulnerable since resuming his career after a 645-day break and could never advance beyond mid-field when beaten 21L by today’s rival My Catch in a G3 over this course and distance last month. He’ll probably struggle. |
| 3 | Comicas | Fourth in this event last year, then running a huge race when runner-up in a G1 on a muddy dirt track over this distance on World Cup Night. He’s been showing plenty of zip here in 2018, and a runner-up to rival here My Catch in a G3 last month but has a pull at the weights. |
| 4 | Jordan Sport | His four starts at Meydan this season have been on turf though he is twice a winner on an all-weather surface back in the UK. He likes to lead as he did when just clinging on for victory in a 1200m handicap here last month. Partnered by in-form rider De Vries for the first time. |
| 5 | Taamol | His two wins have come over 1400m on a slow turf surface but has shown aptitude for this dirt surface and shorter distance. However the fact that he been beaten 7 1/2L fourth and 5L second to today’s rivals My Catch and Yalta on his last two starts suggests he has a hard task. |
| 6 | United Color | Has won twice at Meydan over this distance but that was on the tapeta surface. More recent efforts here have been less good and neither of his recent starts at neighbouring Jebel Ali this year have suggested that he has any real chance here. |
| 7 | Wild Dude | Without a win for nearly two years, landing a 1300m G2 on the dirt at Santa Anita then. He’s been a frustrating type at Meydan even if he’s run some decent races here – though never able to launch a serious challenge when 4 3/4L fifth in this event last year. |
| 8 | Yalta | The mount again of Mikael Barzalona who rides this dirt track so well and they bullied from the front when landing a handicap here last month. His gate is not ideal to grab an early lead – which does seem essential – but he may overcome it with his early speed. |
| 9 | Dubai One | Today’s rider partnered her to a handicap victory at Lingfield in December but her two Meydan runs last month did not really suggest that another win was coming soon. She lacked gate speed over this distance on the dirt last time, finishing well behind today’s rival Yalta. |
| 10 | My Catch | A seven-year-old now but as good as ever and his victory in a G3 here last month may have been a career best. Admittedly he was quickly able to grab the lead and dominate – tactics that suit him and have been working very well on the dirt at Meydan generally. Has a difficult gate but still looks a major player. |
| 11 | Raven’s Corner | Has generally stuck to handicap company at Meydan – winning three times but there looked to be excuses for a poor G3 run in January – playing up badly at the start. No gate worries last time when he dominated a 1400m handicap from the start, winning in a course record time. |
Others
09/03/2018
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