3 group races at Meydan

the Dubai Carnival continues today with another strong card, featuring 3 group races. Once again we expect proceedings to be dominated by the Godolphin and Mike de Kock stables, and this is especially the case in the UAE 2,000 Guineas at 16.20 CET, in which the South African has 3 runners and Godolphin 4. We expect the winner to be one of the boys in blue, and jockey bookings suggest that Paximaia (Saeed bin Suroor/ Silvestre de Sosa) and Long John (Charlie Appleby/ Mickael Barzalona) would appear to be their best chances. Both ran in Australia last year and it is difficult to choose between them, but we slighty prefer the former.
The Firebreak Stakesover a mile at 17.30 has attracted two string DSouth Afroican challengers, Mars (Mike de Kock/ Christophe Soumillon) and Variety Club (Joey Ramsden/ Anton Marcus), winner of his last 8 races in succession and twice South Africa´s Horse of the Year. Mars is making his first start for this stable, having been one of Aidan O´Brien´s main classic hopes last year; but he was only sixth in the Derby and may find this trip too short.
The Al Shindagha Sprint over 6 furlongs at 18.05 is another puzzle and we will take a chance on Balmont Mast (Eddie Lynam/ William Buick), as Irish sprimnters have a good record here. Pearl Flute (Francis Graffard/ Harry Bentley) could be the main danger.
The handicaps have large fields and look very difficult. German hope Empoli (Peter Schiergen/ Andrasch Starke) runs in the 1 1/2 mile race at 18.45 but it looks a very tough race and he will have to be at the top of his form to win here.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Sanshaawes - Energia Davos - Layali Al Andalus
2. Race: Long John - Paximadia - Full Combat
3. Race: Vercingetorix - Forjatt - El Estruendoso
4. Race: Variety Club - Mars - Capital Attraction
5. Race: Krypton Factor - Giant Sandman - Balmont Mast
6. Race: Meandre - Topclas - Empoli