Book your seats for some hot horse racing action this week

Dubai: By this time next week we’ll all have been swamped by Guineas fever as the first Classics of the British season are played out at Newmarket.

It’s always an exciting week’s racing as if anything, these two races that most times so hard to call. And this year looks no different.

Some of us might even catch a bit of the Derby bug, as miles away in Louisville, Churchill Down will roll out the carpet for the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby, which is in its 139th year!

Wow, what a week for racing buffs.

I’ve been reading up quite a bit on the great race where Todd Pletcher’s Verrazano is the new favourite following his romp in the Wood Memorial Stakes. But since Fusaichi Pegasus won 13 years ago, no winner of the prep has gone on to clinch the Roses. Let’s see if the jinx can be broken next Saturday.

There is also a lot of talk of the extra security that will be in place following the recent bomb blast at the Boston Marathon.

Obviously there will be cause for concern given the sheer volume of visitors that the American showpiece attracts.

It’s interesting to know that Churchill Downs officials are asking fans to help made the event safe and enjoyable by being aware of their surroundings.

‘See Something, Say Something,’ is what they are advising fans to do as tighten security policies and beef-up screenings of racegoers.

Let’s hope everything goes off well and that sport triumphs over adversity once again.

Closer to home we have the 2,000 Guineas happening next Saturday and the girls Classic the following afternoon.

Godolphin’s Dawn Approach has been rock steady at the top of the betting markets for the colt’s showpiece with the Richard Hannon-trained Toronado the most being the most significant mover.

The son of former Derby winner New Approach continues to his trainer Jim Bolger as D-Day approaches. His most recent piece of work at the Beech Oak gallops in Ireland did a lot to further bolster Bolger’s confidence as the horse reportedly look in great shape as he put in a sharp piece of work at a track that reportedly bears a lot of similarities to the one at Newmarket, including the famous dip.

Should Dawn Approach pass Saturday’s test, Epsom will beckon as the colt has already been supplemented for the Derby earlier this month.

Meanwhile, now that Certify has been ruled out of the 1,000 Guineas, I think Sir Henry Cecil appears to have a great chance of winning the race for the first time since Wince in 1999.

Hot Snap’s run in the Nell Gwyn left me in no doubt that she’s got that X-Factor which separates good horses from very good horses. She’s a justifiable 3/1 favourite and comfortably holds off Just The Judge and What A Name in the markets.

I believe that the timing of the Nell Gywn is just perfect and helps sharpen a horse for a test like the Guineas over the challenging mile at Newmarket.

However, I think Hot Snap’s not going to have it all her way with big danger lurking in the form of Sky Lantern and Maureen.

The 1,000 Guineas appears to have a lot more depth than in previous years, so Sir Henry will have to bring Hot Snap to Newmarket in the best possible condition. And being the master that he is, we’re not asking for too much.

Get ready to take your seats for some hot action this week. I’ve got mine ready.