G1 – 1200m – Dirt
| 1 | Colour Up | Faces a stiff task having finished behind Tuz on their previous six meetings, with seven lengths separating the pair on their last clash in March. Trailed in last in the 2024 Golden Shaheen. |
| 2 | Drew’s Gold | Live outsider trained by the Dubai-based young Uruguayan Julio Olascoaga. Missed the break when down the field last time out. Better judged on decent third to Tuz in a G3 sprint over course and distance in January. Finished second in a G1 when trained back in the United States. |
| 3 | Eastern World | Another who is well held by Tuz on recent form, although he did edge Tuz when they met at Sharjah back in 2023. He was no match for the Dubai-based star sprinter on his latest start a month ago. |
| 4 | Jasper Krone | Japanese runners have yet to get on the Golden Shaheen roll of honour, and it will be a surprise if Jasper Krone can be the one to provide their first winner in this G1. Came in well down the field behind Straight No Chaser in Saudi Arabia on latest outing. |
| 5 | Kurojishi Joe | First run outside Japan. This six-year-old is having his 32nd outing. Has been running consistently in listed and G3 company but is on a seven-race winless run. |
| 6 | Nakatomi | Wesley Ward’s American runner warrants respect. A G1 winner at Saratoga last July he was beaten five lengths by Straight No Chaser at the Breeders’ Cup Sprint on last run. Definite place claims. |
| 7 | Remake | This Japanese-trained six-year-old will attract plenty of interest with Frankie Dettori on board. Has been well beaten by Straight No Chaser on last two runs. Did well to come in fourth in last year’s Golden Sheehan after early traffic problems. |
| 8 | Royal Commando | Big step up in class after landing a listed race over 1000m six weeks ago. Well down the field on his last attempt at a G1, at Royal Ascot back in 2021. |
| 9 | Straight No Chaser | On all known form the one they all have to beat. Battling winner of the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar in November. Proved his class when comfortably justifying odds-on favouritism in the G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint on Saudi Cup day in February. |
| 10 | Super Chow | There would be few more popular winners if Chantal Sutherland clicks with Super Chow as the jockey bounced back after being sidelined for nearly two years due to injury. The pair have won five times, but face a tough assignment here. |
| 11 | Tuz | Bhupat Seemar’s high class sprinter is the main danger to likely favourite Straight No Chaser. Last year’s winner lines up as the top rated runner and is on a six-timer, rattling off four wins since last year’s Golden Shaheen success, all over this course and distance. |
| 12 | American Stage | Oisin Murphy teams up on this Japanese raider who took a gallant second, beaten five lengths, to Tuz over course and distance on his first run at Meydan after a three-race winning run back home. |
| 13 | Dark Saffron | This three-year-old knows his way around Meydan with this his seventh visit. All the way winner in far less demanding company a fortnight ago. Tough task today. |
