While the Cup itself is an incredible race there are 8 races before it.
The program starts with the race for the purebred Arabians but we have no idea about them so we will move straight to Race 2, The G2 Godolphin Mile with a field of 16 run on the dirt track.
This has usually been a "made in Godolphin" event but the top two in the market come from the Seemar yard -Al Nefud and Secret Ambition, both around 3/1. We should say that Al Nefud is actually a Godolphin horse but not trained by their main trainers. Storm Damage is the best of those with Christophe Soumillon taking the mount for Saeed bin Suroor. Japanese runner Full Flat is 10/1 and the one we all loved on the track Pogo is 20/1.
The Dubai Gold Cup is over 3200m, the Melbourne Cup trip, and a good run here could see some of these head in that direction. Manobo is odds-on for this with the Appleby-Buick combination at work. The first of the serious Japanese runners comes in to this with Stay Foolish, whom trainer Yahagi says he would like to take to Melbourne. Christophe Lemaire has the ride and they are value at 6/1. He will need to do everything right but he is capable.
Joseph O'Brien saddles Baron Samedi with James Doyle riding and reading between the lines this one too could head south in the latter part of the year. They are 8/1. Australia has an interest here with Rodrigo Diaz, part-owned now by Australian Bloodstock. He's currently trained in England by David Simcock and Jamie Spencer has the ride. 16/1.
The Al Quoz Sprint is the first of the G1s and is over 1200m on turf. Man of Promise ran an absolute blinder at his last outing and provided he is full recovered will be hard to catch here. William Buick is sticking with him and Charlie Appleby thinks that was the right call with James Doyle riding the stablemate Creative Force on 11/2 with an Appleby 1-2 on the cards and possibly a 1-2-3 if Naval Crown runs a place. Prix de l'Abbaye winner A Case of You is on 8/1 and while that was run on heavy going and 1000m he's proved versatile and is on 8/1.
The UAE Derby G2 is over 1900m on the dirt and very difficult to sort with 3yos. There are 3 from South America, one from Russia, four from Japan, one from Bahrain and a few locals. There isn't all that much exposed form here although the top two raced in the Saudi Derby, namely Pinehurst the winner and the runner-up Sekifu from Japan. There's an entry into the Kentucky Derby for the winner which has attracted attention. However if Pinehurst wins he won't be able to take up that offer as his trainer Bob Baffert is currently banned from racing horses in Kentucky. Not much in the market between Pinehurst and Sekifu with another runner from Japan Combustion, owned by Godolphin Japan and so Buick has the ride, on 5/1. The Russian trained Azure Coast is on 6/1 but an upset would not surprise. Australian jockey Damien Lane rides Japanese contender Crown Pride 16/1.
The Americans usually have a strong hold on the Golden Shaheen as it is over 1200m dirt.
Dr Schivel is on top on 5/2 followed by compatriot Drain The Clock with the Japanese filly Red Le Zele on 8/1.
The Dubai Turf if G1 over 1800m with a full field of 18 which includes 6 G1 winners. Schnell Meister won the NHK Mile in Japan and is considered by jockey Christophe Lemaire to be his best ride for the meet. Last year's winner Lord North and Mohaafeth are both on 5/1 with another Japanese runner the speedy Panthalassa, winner of the Nakayama Kinen, on 15/2.
This race has an unusual twist to it as it will be the first time that the newly married Tom Marquand and Hollie Doyle will be riding against each other. Hollie will be riding for Aussie UK based trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam on the filly Saffron Beach who won the Sun Chariot last year and is on 10/1, with Tom on My Oberon for William Haggas on 20/1. Now what would be the odds on a dead-heat?
And we should not forgot the wonderful Lord Glitters who loves this part of the world and won the Bahrain International and the G2 Singspiel c&d and is on 14/1.
The Dubai Sheema Classic has 15 runners with 5 of the field of 15 coming from Japan. The talented Sharyar, by Deep Impact, is currently on top on 7/2 with compatriot Authority, recent winner of the Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia, on 6/1 which looks very generous. The Brits hope is based on Yibir, Appleby-Buick, a mercurial horse who runs either brilliantly or not so brilliantly and is on 3/1 in the UK. Glory Vase, who has won 2 Hong Kong Vases, cannot go to Hong Kong next month so has come here and is on 15/2 with Christophe Soumillon on board. Damien Lane has the mount on Japanese runner Uberleben 25/1. Somewhat under the radar is Pyledriver, winner of the Coronation Cup in the rain and then he ran badly in Saudi as he seems to have hated the kickback. This is turf and 14/1 looks generous.
So then we come to the Cup. We always feel that the Sheema and the Cup should be given equal billing but it is the Cup that has the very big prize money. This year it looks like the Americans have it sewn up but you never know until the fat lady sings. Life Is Good is a wonderful horse with the poise and temperament of a great champion as proven by his wins in the Breeders' Cup and the Pegasus. But he is tackling the 2000m for the first time although trainer Todd Pletcher has been building up his stamina and extending his trip. And he has drawn Gate 1 which is not ideal. It looks as if he will have to take the lead and then it will be a question of can he hold it for the distance. While we think he's a fantastic horse he won't have out hard-earned on him at odds-on. There's good arguments for all 3 other Americans, Hot Rod Charlie and his great owners, Country Grammer who was second in the Saudi Cup, and Midnight Bourbon. Hypothetical won the prep for this in the Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (Hot Rod Charlie had won Round 2) but there was no American opposition and this will be much tougher. Chuwa Wizard is the sole Japanese rep here, having one this last year, and is reported to be stronger this year so that 33/1 should be mega-appealing. And don't forget the Argentinian Aero Trem, winner of the Latino last year and 5th in Saudi, at a very generous 66/1.
