G1 – 1200m – Turf
| 1 | Stormy Liberal | Ignored in this race last year but his late surge very nearly got the money. Has since confirmed himself as one of the top sprinters in the US, including his G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint victory last November. Likely to again play an important role in this G1 dash. |
| 2 | Sands Of Mali | Small but with a big engine as he showed with a stunning front-running display in a G1 at Ascot over this distance last October, a clear career best. That was on soft ground but conditions here should suit nicely and he reportedly barely lost any weight on the trip from the UK. |
| 3 | Lost Treasure | Won three of his eight starts last season and was also a close fifth in the prestigious G1 Prix de L’Abbaye at Longchamp. Many of his turf starts have been on slow ground but his trainer thinks he is best on a fast surface. Needs to be delivered late as he is lazy in front. |
| 4 | Mazzini | Has adapted well since switching to Dubai from the UK, dominating from the start in a handicap in January with more patient tactics also paying off in another handicap. Slowly away in a G3 this month, finishing strongly but still 5.75L behind today’s rival Blue Point. |
| 5 | The Right Man | Posted a career best when winning this G1 in 2017 though he did have an earlier Meydan start that time plus the slow ground played to his strengths. Absent for most of last year but this French-trained gelding was a close second in a Maisons-Laffitte G3 last October. |
| 6 | Brave Smash | Tended to race over further – sometimes much further – when based in Japan but best known as a sprinter in Australia where he regularly competes at the top level, gaining two G1 wins during a busy 2018. Finishing powerfully when a close third of 22 in a Flemington G1 this month. |
| 7 | Belvoir Bay | She has proven a consistent moneyspinner in the US, with victories at up to G2 level. She arrives for this first Meydan venture after two straight victories latterly when showing a lot of speed from the gate to comfortably win a 1000m conditions event at Santa Anita. |
| 8 | Blue Point | Withdrawn at the start for this last year with a minor problem. Has a terrific record otherwise and has gained two devastating Meydan wins this year, a G2 at 1000m and a G3 over 1200m. A strong travelling horse with massive acceleration, he is the obvious favourite. |
| 9 | Caribou Club | Another lively US candidate, and a gelding with an impressive win and place strike-rate though generally has raced over further than 1200m. He has won his last two starts – G2 over 1700m at Del Mar and G3 over 1300m at Santa Anita, showing plenty of courage each time. |
| 10 | Ekhtiyaar | Formerly trained in the UK but his numbers suggest that he is a better horse since being gelded and moving to Dubai. In February he won a handicap by a record breaking margin for the turf sprint track at Meydan and only failed to cope with Blue Point in a G3 this month. |
| 11 | Illustrious Lad | Showed up for a long way in this race last year, finishing fifth of 13 which was closer to the money that his odds might have suggested. Back home in Australia he seems to have been running decently including a Listed win over this trip. |
| 12 | Viddora | Has tasted sprint success at the highest level in Australia and gained a comfortable G1 success at Moonee Valley under today’s regular rider last September. That was over 1000m but he is equally comfortable at this 1200m. |
| 13 | Wishful Thinker | This Richard Gibson-trained sprinter has soared in the ratings, not surprisingly having won four of his five last starts and, though only beating three rivals, quite possibly posted a career best with a stylish victory at Sha Tin this month. His trainer believes that Meydan’s straight 1200m could prove ideal. |
