Hello & welcome to my preview of Night 7 from the Carnival, last week was truly a week to remember for South Africa just like the early days of the Carnival with 2 winners from Mike De Kock courtesy of Sanshaawes & the unbeaten Vercingetorix who is a horse who only does enough, I doubt he will have much more improvement to come in a battle against stronger opposition. South Africa's Horse of the Year also got in the action witha dominant display of speed & power from the front against lesser opposition.
Night 7 features some top horses or at least potential top notchers surprisingly for the likes of Anaerobio & Cat O'Mountan they reappear back in handicap company.
Race 1 features the aforementioned Anaerobio who carries top weight in an uncompetitive 7f Turf handicap, judging by his last 2 wins (Group company latest) he should be tough to beat.Two of his stablemates are next in the talented but quirky Zahee who is back in a more satisfactory grade after coming unstuck in the 2nd round of the Maktoum Challenge last time & the so far disappointing Kavanagh who hasn't shown anywhere near the form of last season's Carnival. German raider Sommerabend showed very little on his Carnival debut a few weeks ago but reappears in a less competitive race & a better run would not surprise. Free Wheeling is running in the wrong race for me as Tapeta seems to be his bag in Dubai, all his best runs have come on it & he faces some in-form rivals in this event. Eastern Rules is out again, his 3rd run in 4 weeks, clearly a hardy individual he was a winner on his last start on the Tapeta & is equally adept on Turf so I can see him finishing the first 3. The field is completed by Intransigent, Regulation & Santefisio who have all shown next to nothing at the Carnival so far.
A non betting event for me in which Anaerobio can win again from Eastern Rules & Sommerabend.
An 8f Tapeta handicap follows, the race looks very competitive with all bar two runnershaving already had at least one run at this year's Carnival. Mustaheel heads the weights after an excellent run finishing fast & late last time to only just fail, his handicap mark is far to high for my liking. Old Disa Leader has been in excellent form on his last 2 runs but finds it difficult to win against younger improving opposition. String Theory who is one of those younger rivals has been dealt a terrible draw in gate 14, as a prominent racer he will have to get around the whole field which will use up vital energy.
I can't have the old boys Derbass & Barbecue Eddie or, Ocean Tempest, Van Rooney & Risby who have been outclassed in all there Carnival runs so far. The Saudi's have already struck with one big priced winner at this Carnival so Qatoomah has possibilities on some good recent form in her home country but in reality this a tad more competitive than she's used to.
Godolphins's Dragon a Falls didn't get much of a ride last time by Barzalona so he is on who you could give another chance too, there other runner is Taylor Said who has not been since August of 2012 when he won the Longacres Mile Handicap Grade 3 (see video) at lowly Emerald Downs a small Washington track, this was his 6th win in his last 6 starts
with the majority of the other wins coming at Hastings Park in Canada. He is a fascinating runner after so long off but as with the majority of Godolphin's returning runners he will most likely need this.
Avon Pearl who ran an eye catching race last time out when on Turf switches to the Tapeta surface here, he has only raced twice on a non Turf surface finishing 4th & 8th in Taby's Dirt. (See photo)
I am hopeful he can handle it as I believe he is well treated. Banna Boirche also switches back to Tapeta but remains vulnerable to younger rivals like Master Of War who bounced back into form with a fast finishing 4th place finish last time, I believe he was flattered though & I can't really see him staying the mile this time. Tales Of Grimm switches back to handicap company & tries Tapeta for the first time, his synthetic runs in the UK were less than inspiring though as is his draw on Thursday. Intrigo continues to run well which is little help to his handicap mark as he remains higher than his last winning mark.
I will take a chance on Avon Pearl to confirm the promise of his first run on Tapeta for the first time from Dragon Falls & String Theory
Race 3 is a 5f Turf handicap with only the 10 runners so hopefully any draw bias will be negated. The decent French sprinter Catcall makes his Dubai debut on what is likely to be the fastest ground he has raced on, the best horse in the race by far his major negative is that he pulls himself up in front. Medicean Man returns after a very unlucky run in a similar race a fe weeks back, he should be a major player on Thursday although I would have preferred it to a bigger field for him to weave through. Abstraction was behind Medicean Man when making most before veering sharply left towards the finish he can also be a player but the way he ended the race concerned me.
Ahtoug was disappointing last time after wining cosily from Hototo who re opposes on Thursday, it is Hototo's first start since Night 1 of the Carnival, it surprises me he has been off so long so You would have to assume he has had a problem, he potentially faces very few challengers for the lead on Thursday so that will help this likeable animal. Monsieur Joe didn't go on from a promising first run so has a lot to do for me. Dungannon ran no sort of race on his first Dubai start but he was on the wrong side in that race so an improved run would not surprise.
Desert Law failed to get into the last 5f handicap run a few weeks ago after his extremely promising run in the first 5f handicap run on the first night of this years Carnival, he has been working well for the last month & the smaller field should be a real advantage to him. My Propeller has had excuses throughout her career so I am happy to leave her alone for all she could easily win, old Racy has not set Dubai alight which is similar to his career as a whole a speedy animal who just dosen't quite win.
I have been waiting for Desert Law to reappear so he is a confident selection for me.
A 10f Tapeta handicap is up next which sees the reappearance of the hellishly impressive Cat O'Mountain, I was not expecting his next start to be in another handicap though especially given his rise in ratings & weights. If he is to be contesting a World Cup then he should be winning this & he should remain competitive although his draw could be problematic for young Barzalona. Mutajare drops back into a better grade for him butfaces a tough task as does Zain Shamardal, Clon Brûlée, Layali Al Andalus, Moonlight Dash, Specific Gravity, Storm Belt, Plantagenet, Sweet Lightening & last weekends surprise Saturday scorer Red Duke all look outclassed in this.
Alexandra Palace reappears after an impressive first win at the Carnival where his class allowed him to stay on powerfully to win cosily on the line, a very decent animal in South Africa he looks well in on Thursday. (See photo of his win last time)
The disappointing Steeler drops into handicap company for the first time but he must learn to settle before I would consider him for all the step up in trip will suit. Samurai Sword has been running well in better company but faces at least 2 very classy animals in this. Solar Deity was in the bunch finish behind Alexandra Palace last time, I see no reason
why he should reverse the form over a longer trip that I doubt he will truly stay. Elleval reverts to his favoured Tapeta surface for the first time at this years Carnival, he looks well weighted, he rates a danger to both Cat O'Mountain & Alexandra Palace.
A race with a lot if runners but only a handful in with realistic chances, it's a non betting event for me, the finish should involve Cat O'Mountain & Alexandra Palace in which I slightly prefer the South African. I would also expect a good run from Elleval.
The big race of the night is the Group 2 Balanchine Stakes which sees the unbeaten Certify return to the scene of her debut Carnival victory a few weeks ago (see photo) She faces the same opposition on Thursday bar Moment In Time & Banoffee who wouldn't be good enough on UK form & the distance is too short for them.
The other 3 runners were easily beaten by Certify last time with Pearl Of Africa well outclassed, Flotilla extremely disappointing & fellow French raider L'Amour De Ma Vie running the best race of her life to finish a close 2nd but in truth she was always being held.
Certify will remain unbeaten as she faces an easy task.
The final race of the night is a 10f Turf Listed race The Dubai Millennium Stakes which sees the reappearance of the Al Rashidiya winner Mujaarib (see photo) who was impressive when making a winning return from over a year off in quarantine. The step up in trip should be no hindrance so he must have an excellent chance of following up.
Dasterhon is a doubtful stayer & is not good enough with similar comments applying to Agent Allison. Tasaday was somewhat disappointing on her first start behind Mujaarib but steps to a more suitable trip in this event the issue I have is whether she can beat the colts. Empoli needs to consent to go into the stalls after last weeks antics before you could consider him over a trip that looks short of his best, he is an out & stayer to me who will be caught for toe against speedier types. Burano for all he ran well on his last start is outclassed in this as is Robert The Painter, Rebel Song, Without Fear & Now Spun. Mundahesh steps up from local meetings after an impressive Saturday success a few weeks ago albeit over the shorter 7f, he has been 2nd once over 10f when he raced in England but was disappointing on other starts over it. Jamr has not been seen since finishing 5th to Hunter's Light is last seasons Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3, a classy individual who won 3 times at the Carnival in 2012, he will need to be cherry ripe for this after a long absence. Quick Wit is not without chances in this, he usually dosen't take a lot of getting fit & is verging on Listed minor Group Class when on song, twice a Carnival winner in the past he should go well on his return.
An interesting race to end the card in which I am keen on Mujaarib to maintain his unbeaten UAE record before stepping up on World Cup night. I can see Quick Wit running well in behind fighting out the places with Tasaday.
Night 7 features some top horses or at least potential top notchers surprisingly for the likes of Anaerobio & Cat O'Mountan they reappear back in handicap company.
Race 1 features the aforementioned Anaerobio who carries top weight in an uncompetitive 7f Turf handicap, judging by his last 2 wins (Group company latest) he should be tough to beat.Two of his stablemates are next in the talented but quirky Zahee who is back in a more satisfactory grade after coming unstuck in the 2nd round of the Maktoum Challenge last time & the so far disappointing Kavanagh who hasn't shown anywhere near the form of last season's Carnival. German raider Sommerabend showed very little on his Carnival debut a few weeks ago but reappears in a less competitive race & a better run would not surprise. Free Wheeling is running in the wrong race for me as Tapeta seems to be his bag in Dubai, all his best runs have come on it & he faces some in-form rivals in this event. Eastern Rules is out again, his 3rd run in 4 weeks, clearly a hardy individual he was a winner on his last start on the Tapeta & is equally adept on Turf so I can see him finishing the first 3. The field is completed by Intransigent, Regulation & Santefisio who have all shown next to nothing at the Carnival so far.
A non betting event for me in which Anaerobio can win again from Eastern Rules & Sommerabend.
An 8f Tapeta handicap follows, the race looks very competitive with all bar two runnershaving already had at least one run at this year's Carnival. Mustaheel heads the weights after an excellent run finishing fast & late last time to only just fail, his handicap mark is far to high for my liking. Old Disa Leader has been in excellent form on his last 2 runs but finds it difficult to win against younger improving opposition. String Theory who is one of those younger rivals has been dealt a terrible draw in gate 14, as a prominent racer he will have to get around the whole field which will use up vital energy.
I can't have the old boys Derbass & Barbecue Eddie or, Ocean Tempest, Van Rooney & Risby who have been outclassed in all there Carnival runs so far. The Saudi's have already struck with one big priced winner at this Carnival so Qatoomah has possibilities on some good recent form in her home country but in reality this a tad more competitive than she's used to.
Godolphins's Dragon a Falls didn't get much of a ride last time by Barzalona so he is on who you could give another chance too, there other runner is Taylor Said who has not been since August of 2012 when he won the Longacres Mile Handicap Grade 3 (see video) at lowly Emerald Downs a small Washington track, this was his 6th win in his last 6 starts
with the majority of the other wins coming at Hastings Park in Canada. He is a fascinating runner after so long off but as with the majority of Godolphin's returning runners he will most likely need this.
Avon Pearl who ran an eye catching race last time out when on Turf switches to the Tapeta surface here, he has only raced twice on a non Turf surface finishing 4th & 8th in Taby's Dirt. (See photo)
I am hopeful he can handle it as I believe he is well treated. Banna Boirche also switches back to Tapeta but remains vulnerable to younger rivals like Master Of War who bounced back into form with a fast finishing 4th place finish last time, I believe he was flattered though & I can't really see him staying the mile this time. Tales Of Grimm switches back to handicap company & tries Tapeta for the first time, his synthetic runs in the UK were less than inspiring though as is his draw on Thursday. Intrigo continues to run well which is little help to his handicap mark as he remains higher than his last winning mark.
I will take a chance on Avon Pearl to confirm the promise of his first run on Tapeta for the first time from Dragon Falls & String Theory
Race 3 is a 5f Turf handicap with only the 10 runners so hopefully any draw bias will be negated. The decent French sprinter Catcall makes his Dubai debut on what is likely to be the fastest ground he has raced on, the best horse in the race by far his major negative is that he pulls himself up in front. Medicean Man returns after a very unlucky run in a similar race a fe weeks back, he should be a major player on Thursday although I would have preferred it to a bigger field for him to weave through. Abstraction was behind Medicean Man when making most before veering sharply left towards the finish he can also be a player but the way he ended the race concerned me.
Ahtoug was disappointing last time after wining cosily from Hototo who re opposes on Thursday, it is Hototo's first start since Night 1 of the Carnival, it surprises me he has been off so long so You would have to assume he has had a problem, he potentially faces very few challengers for the lead on Thursday so that will help this likeable animal. Monsieur Joe didn't go on from a promising first run so has a lot to do for me. Dungannon ran no sort of race on his first Dubai start but he was on the wrong side in that race so an improved run would not surprise.
Desert Law failed to get into the last 5f handicap run a few weeks ago after his extremely promising run in the first 5f handicap run on the first night of this years Carnival, he has been working well for the last month & the smaller field should be a real advantage to him. My Propeller has had excuses throughout her career so I am happy to leave her alone for all she could easily win, old Racy has not set Dubai alight which is similar to his career as a whole a speedy animal who just dosen't quite win.
I have been waiting for Desert Law to reappear so he is a confident selection for me.
A 10f Tapeta handicap is up next which sees the reappearance of the hellishly impressive Cat O'Mountain, I was not expecting his next start to be in another handicap though especially given his rise in ratings & weights. If he is to be contesting a World Cup then he should be winning this & he should remain competitive although his draw could be problematic for young Barzalona. Mutajare drops back into a better grade for him butfaces a tough task as does Zain Shamardal, Clon Brûlée, Layali Al Andalus, Moonlight Dash, Specific Gravity, Storm Belt, Plantagenet, Sweet Lightening & last weekends surprise Saturday scorer Red Duke all look outclassed in this.
Alexandra Palace reappears after an impressive first win at the Carnival where his class allowed him to stay on powerfully to win cosily on the line, a very decent animal in South Africa he looks well in on Thursday. (See photo of his win last time)
The disappointing Steeler drops into handicap company for the first time but he must learn to settle before I would consider him for all the step up in trip will suit. Samurai Sword has been running well in better company but faces at least 2 very classy animals in this. Solar Deity was in the bunch finish behind Alexandra Palace last time, I see no reason
why he should reverse the form over a longer trip that I doubt he will truly stay. Elleval reverts to his favoured Tapeta surface for the first time at this years Carnival, he looks well weighted, he rates a danger to both Cat O'Mountain & Alexandra Palace.
A race with a lot if runners but only a handful in with realistic chances, it's a non betting event for me, the finish should involve Cat O'Mountain & Alexandra Palace in which I slightly prefer the South African. I would also expect a good run from Elleval.
The big race of the night is the Group 2 Balanchine Stakes which sees the unbeaten Certify return to the scene of her debut Carnival victory a few weeks ago (see photo) She faces the same opposition on Thursday bar Moment In Time & Banoffee who wouldn't be good enough on UK form & the distance is too short for them.
The other 3 runners were easily beaten by Certify last time with Pearl Of Africa well outclassed, Flotilla extremely disappointing & fellow French raider L'Amour De Ma Vie running the best race of her life to finish a close 2nd but in truth she was always being held.
Certify will remain unbeaten as she faces an easy task.
The final race of the night is a 10f Turf Listed race The Dubai Millennium Stakes which sees the reappearance of the Al Rashidiya winner Mujaarib (see photo) who was impressive when making a winning return from over a year off in quarantine. The step up in trip should be no hindrance so he must have an excellent chance of following up.
Dasterhon is a doubtful stayer & is not good enough with similar comments applying to Agent Allison. Tasaday was somewhat disappointing on her first start behind Mujaarib but steps to a more suitable trip in this event the issue I have is whether she can beat the colts. Empoli needs to consent to go into the stalls after last weeks antics before you could consider him over a trip that looks short of his best, he is an out & stayer to me who will be caught for toe against speedier types. Burano for all he ran well on his last start is outclassed in this as is Robert The Painter, Rebel Song, Without Fear & Now Spun. Mundahesh steps up from local meetings after an impressive Saturday success a few weeks ago albeit over the shorter 7f, he has been 2nd once over 10f when he raced in England but was disappointing on other starts over it. Jamr has not been seen since finishing 5th to Hunter's Light is last seasons Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3, a classy individual who won 3 times at the Carnival in 2012, he will need to be cherry ripe for this after a long absence. Quick Wit is not without chances in this, he usually dosen't take a lot of getting fit & is verging on Listed minor Group Class when on song, twice a Carnival winner in the past he should go well on his return.
An interesting race to end the card in which I am keen on Mujaarib to maintain his unbeaten UAE record before stepping up on World Cup night. I can see Quick Wit running well in behind fighting out the places with Tasaday.
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