Meydan today

The Dubai World Cup Carnival continues today with another high class card, featuring two Group Two races. As so often here, both look a trial of strength between the powerful South African stable of Mike de Kock and the local Godolphin team. the best horse running today is de Kock´s mare Igugu (Christophe Soumillon), who despite an absence of 13 months, looks a near certainty to take the Balanchine over 9 furlongs at 17.25 CET. The S. African Horse of the Year for 2011 faces 3 Godolphin runners, the best of which is probably Saeed bin Suroor´s Sajjhaa (Silvestre de Sousa), already an easy winner at this meeting but penalised as a result. Godolphin might take their revenge in the Al Fahidi Fort at 18.35 with ex-French Mandean (Mahmood al Zarooni/ Mikael Barzalona), who can get the better of de Kock´s 3 runners in this mile race.

German interests today are represented by Peter Schiergen´s Salon Soldier at 16.15 and Mario Hofer´s Smooth Operator at 18.00, both ridden by Adrie de Vries. The latter has already run 3 decent races at this meeting and we think that the step up to a mile might suit him. The former needs to improve on his effort here 3 weeks ago on tapeta, but the return to turf should be in his favour and we hope that they both finish in the money.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Thakif - Rakha - Af Alghabra
2. Race: Mikhail Glinka - Light Heavy - Starboard
3. Race: Treble Jig - Con Artist - Zain Shamardal
4. Race: Sajjhaa - Dark Orchid - Colliding Worlds
5. Race: Muraweg - Ariete Arrollador - Smooth Operator
6. Race: Master Of Hounds - Musir - Mushreq
7. Race: Dux Scholar - Inxile - Russian Soul