2 German runners at Meydan

the 2 German-trained runners at Meydan both have something to prove today after major disappointments last time. Empoli (Peter Schiergen/ Adrie de Vries) blotted his copybook by refusing to go into the stalls last week; he gets another chance now in the listed race over 10 furlongs on tapeta at 19.10, but faces very strong opposition. Mujaarib (Mike de Kock/ Paul Hanagan) and Tasaday (Saeed bin Suroor/ Silvestre de Sousa) look best in this tough race. Sommerabend (Miroslav Rulec/ Maxime Guyon) ran really badly on his debut here, dropping right out. He now goes for the 7 furlongs handicap at 16.15; a strongly-run race at this trip could be ideal and we have to hope that he does better this time, although Free Wheeling (bin Suroor/ de Sousa), who finished well in front of him then, and the 3 de Kock runners are all obviously big threats.

Main event is the Group Two Balanchine for fillies over 9 furlongs at 18.35. Star of the show is clearly Certify (Charlie Appleby/ Mickael Barzalona), one of the Godolphin horses banned last year following the steroids scandal. She made a most impressive reappearance here to win the Cape Verdi from 3 of today´s opponents and we cannot imagine her getting beaten today; her 3 lbs penalty in no way reflects her superiority last time and the extra furlong is, if anything, an Advantage.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Anaerobio - Zahee - Eastern Rules
2. Race: String Theory - Avon Pearl - Mustaheel
3. Race: Ahtoug - Catcall - Racy
4. Race: Mutajare - Steeler - Storm Belt
5. Race: Flotilla - Certify - L`Amour de Ma Vie
6. Race: Tasaday - Without Fear - Mujaarib