Marinaresco faces big test

The 2017 Vodacom July hero Marinaresco steps out again to-morrow in the Group 2 Zabeel Mile at Meydan, where he has drawn seven of the nine runners.

This diminutive gelding was beaten a little under six lengths on local debut over an inadequate 1400m.

Unsurprisingly he wasn’t asked to do too much by Bernard Fayd’Herbe after being off since a close up third to Oh Susanna in the Sun Met virtually a year before.

This time around will be very different though. He will need a bold showing to catch an invite to either the Sheema Classic (2400m) or Dubai Turf (1800m) on 30 March, Dubai World Cup night.

Those races are worth a cool $6 million apiece, so the stakes at 6.50pm SA time tomorrow night are very high. Speaking from Dubai on yesterday, big race specialist Fayd’Herbe sounded relaxed and confident.

“He’s doing extremely well. In fact this is the best I’ve felt him since I’ve been riding him. “He’s sound and fl ying at home, and while this is a bit short of his best trip I’m sure he will run a very good race,” were his words.

Mike de Kock also has last year’s winner Janoobi in the line up, but the stalwart hasn’t really fired in three appearances at this year’s carnival, and will need improvement to feature.

Jim Crowley was victorious then, rides again, and at least jumps from pole position.

Godolphin look very strong at this year’s Carnival, and field a quartet.

Mythical Magic, First Contact, Woo on, and Top Score promise to give the SA duo plenty to think about in what should be a fascinating spectacle.

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