Horse Racing
Season
Dubai Sheema Classic - Form Comments

24/03/2022 16:28

G1 – 2410m – Turf

1

Authority

Down in trip – compared to usual high class efforts in Japan – when given an astute slowish-paced front-running ride by Lemaire to win a 2100m G3 at Riyadh last month.

2

Dubai Future

Lots of experience and a fair amount of success here, including a decisive win in January. But looks vulnerable to others at this level, and only fifth in this last year.

3

For The Top

Just one win since moving to the UAE, and that was on dirt and over a shorter trip than this. Soundly beaten on his last two starts, and a win here would be a huge shock.

4

Glory Vase

Twice winner of the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase, latterly when making steady headway wide for a terrific victory last December. Chances, if equally effective after the break.

5

Hukum

Has developed into an excellent and very consistent horse. His trainer was convinced that Meydan would suit his style and so it proved when he won a 2410m G2 this month.

6

Kaspar

Delivered a career best run on his first start for this stable when responding to hard driving to finish second to Authority in a 2100m G3 at Riyadh. Even more needed here.

7

Pyledriver

Nothing went right for this popular horse at Riyadh but he had previously finished a gallant second in the G1 Hong Kong Vase, and was a G1 winner at Epsom last year.

8

Without A Fight

Won his last two races in the UK in 2021 but probably did even better on his Meydan debut when a battling second to smart Hukum in a G2 over this course and distance.

9

Alenquer

Smashed the track record when winning a G3 on the Lingfield all-weather last month, now returning to a grass surface and a similar trip to the one that saw him win a Royal Ascot G2 in 2021.

10

Burgas

One of the top few highest rated horses in Turkey and had an encouraging first start at Meydan when fourth in a G3 – over an inadequate 2000m – here in February. This G1 may be beyond him.

11

Dubai Honour

He finished well but too late when fourth in the 2021 G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Cup over 2000m. Twice a G2 winner but pedigree does not shout in favour of this longer trip.

12

Shahryar

A highly-rated Japanese contender who won the G1 Japanese Derby over this trip at Tokyo last May. Has only competed twice since then – both decent efforts.

13

Stella Veloce

Only 1.3L behind Shahryar in the 2021 G1 Japanese Derby (2400m) in Tokyo. Ridden more prominently than usual when a close second in a 2200m G2 last time.

14

Yibir

Has won four of his last five starts and delivered a career highlight when – despite racing too keenly at the back – he accelerated past rivals to win a Del Mar G1 in November. A strong pace would be ideal.

15

Uberleben

The only filly in this, she started favourite for a G2 at Hanshin last time but was outpaced over that 2200m until finishing well. But was a G1 winner over this trip in Tokyo last year.