Dubai: The Dubai Golden Shaheen, more than any other race on the night, has been shared between connections from all over the world. Since it became a Group 1 contest in 2002, no connection has won it more than once but former winners have run well in following renewals.
This year’s field has two former winners in Krypton Factor and Reynaldothewizard, who have won the race in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Of these two, it is Reynaldothewizard who is expected to go closest as his prep race went to plan when he was a promising second in the Mahab Shamaal on Super Saturday. He was impressive that night and this fragile horse looked to be back to something approaching his best.
Krypton Factor has not won a race since defeating Rocket Man at Meydan. However, he has performed with great consistency and with this draw on the rail, he should be right in the mix. He will however need to rediscover some of his old form to feature but the horse for course theory may well apply in his case.
The winner of the Mahab Al Shamaal was Rich Tapestry, who saw off Reynadlothewizard in effortless style and will be hopeful of another big run. Despite his draw, he is seen to be the one to beat and certainly has the pick on form.
Dhruba Selvaratnam is one of only two trainers to have won this twice and here, he tries again with United Colour. He won a listed race earlier in the Carnival and will have to do something better than that to win this renewal but do not rule him out.
Hong Kong sprinters have really run well at Meydan in the past and enjoyed a lot of success and in Sterling City it looks like John Moore has found another really exciting prospect. He arrives with quite a lot of hype and one would hope he could live up to it.
It has always been noted that My Catch should run over 1200 metres and he finally tries the trip. He has run some good races this season and if he can progress and take advantage of his three-year-old weight allowance, he could make the frame.
Mick Halford and Shane Foley have enjoyed their best Carnival to date but no one will be too surprised if the Al Shindagha Sprint winner and regular top performer Russian Soul strikes a blow.
Rich Tapestry won the Mahab Al Shamaal in fine style on his first UAE start and he needed the race, but Reynaldothewizard certainly showed he is coming back to his best and will challenge again with Sterling City seen as the best of the rest. It looks a cracking race on the cards and one not to miss.
