Spotlight falls on Dubai

It is a big weekend of racing in Dubai, with the Super Saturday meeting at Meydan – the dress rehearsal for the Dubai World Cup – and a hors de oeuvre card at Jebel Ali tomorrow.

Mike de Kock sends out three runners on Saturday, keen to secure their places on World Cup night.

The 2017 Vodacom July winner Marinaresco has had two prep runs in Dubai over trips too sharp for him. He now lines up in the Group 2 Dubai City Of Gold and the 2410m on turf should be right up his alley.

Marinaresco is drawn at No 9 out of 10, but over this trip that is not too much of a disadvantage. Regular partner Bernard Fayd’Herbe rides, and the $300,000 race will be run at 8.20pm SA time.

De Kock has two acceptors for the Group 1 Jebel Ha a ($400,000) over 1800m, which goes off at 9.30pm.Majestic Mambo is a very interesting runner.

Second in the Daily News and fourth in the July during the 2018 KwaZulu-Natal season, he only arrived in Dubai in January.

His preparation has been a li -le rushed, but the fact that he is running at all means he must have been showing up well in work. Fayd’Herbe rides this one as well, and they are drawn on the paint.

Stablemate Janoobi was third in this event a year ago, but has been well below that level in all four appearances at this year’s carnival and will need improvement.

At Jebel Ali tomorrow, the highlight is a valuable 1600m handicap, Race 4, in which course specialist Galles heads the weights.

Formerly trained by Sandeep Jadhav, Galles has enjoyed success this season, winning a handicap and performing well in defeat behind stable companion Montsarrat in the Jebel Ali Stakes (Listed) two weeks ago.

Galles is now under the care of Salem bin Ghadayer, who returned to the training ranks this week having served a 12-month ban a er one of his horses, High On Life, was found with prohibited substances in its system.

Consistent and reliable, this horse, stepping down in class and ridden by Royston Ffrench, should go close at his favourite venue.

British import Bawaasil makes his UAE debut for the in-form Doug Watson. Based on riding arrangements he looks the main hope of his owner, Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, ahead of Takatul, trained by Musabbeh Al Mheiri.

Watson’s new recruit has been gelded since opening his account at Bath nearly six month ago and, being by Oasis Dream, he could handle the switch to dirt. He’s very unexposed and is open to improvement.

Mudallel wasn’t beaten far in a course-and-distance handicap and, if building on that promise, he’s one to consider.

The two maidens on the card provide the best opportunities for punters, as the remaining handi-caps are highly competitive.

In the 1800m opener, Race 2, Salem bin Ghadayer’s Tammaa caught the eye on his racecourse debut here and can build on that promise and open his account.

Ridden by Ffrench, he made late progress in the closing stages, staying on nicely to chase home Karaginsky and Compliance. He can reverse the form with Compliance with the benefit of that experience, while the step up in trip looks to play to his strengths.

Later on, in Race 5 over 1400m, Jury Duty has shown promise in the US and clearly merits respect. Dark Thunder, trained by Wat-son, is one to consider, provided he adapts to the surface and undulations of Jebel Ali.

For more news your way, download The Citizen’s app for iOS and Android.