The Shanghai Race Club

The Best of the Rest 中文版

If Round 3 of the Maktoum Challenge was the most significant trial for this race, then the next most important was Round 2 - which was won in good style by the Mike De Kock trained Bold Silvano. This race was typical of so much of the Dubai Carnival  – with the yellow and blue silks of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum battling it out with the ‘Royal Blue’ of Godolphin.  Bin Khalifa (pictured below) is actually the first cousin of Sheikh Mohammed, re-emphasizing just how dominant this extended family is in the Dubai racing scene.

As for his prospects on World Cup night, the feeling is that Bold Silvano must improve a bit to play a hand. He was a Grade 1 winner in South Africa, but his overall level of form is inferior to that of horses like Cape Blanco and Twice Over and a recent foot injury will not have helped his cause.

Of potentially greater interest are the Japanese raiders, Buena Vista, Victoire Pisa and Transcend. The whole world has naturally been shocked by recent events in Japan – and all race meetings in the country have understandably been cancelled until at least this coming weekend. However, the three Japanese contenders for the World Cup had arrived safely in Dubai prior to the catastrophic earthquake and they are still intended runners in the race. Although a horse race is relatively trivial in the wider context, it would unquestionably be a wonderful moment for a Japanese horse to finally land this prestigious prize. Possibly their best chance comes in the shape of Buena Vista, pictured below.

This mare hasn’t been blessed with much luck over the past year. She was possibly a little unfortunate not to land the Sheema Classic last year when not gaining a clear passage in the straight – and she was definitely unlucky to lose the Japan Cup in the Stewards room – having run out a comfortable winner from fellow World Cup contender, Victoire Pisa on the day. Buena Vista’s latest start resulted in another agonising defeat to the same rival – this time she lost by a nose in a thrilling finish to the Arima Kinen. That run highlights that there is very little between the pair on form. Buena Vista has the advantage of previous experience racing in Dubai – although one could argue that the 10 furlong trip could be more in Victoire Pisa’s favour. One thing is for sure – both of these horses are of genuine Group 1 class and both have the ability to run a big race for Japan on the day. The other Japanese contender, Transcend, has won Grade 1s on the dirt in his home country, but he will need a big leap in form terms to cope with the rivals he will face at Meydan.

Two other horses in the frame for the World Cup are the American challengers, Gio Ponti and Game On Dude. Gio Ponto clearly has loads of ability – indeed he has finished second to two of the greatest mares of recent times in Zenyatta and Goldikova. The problem with him is that, despire his natural talent, he seems to find a way to get beaten in his races – and is fancied to play a minor role yet again. Game On Dude hails from the Bob Baffert yard and recently landed the Santa Anita Handicap. However, that race (featured at the end of the film ‘Seabiscuit’) is no longer a particularly strong event and Game On Dude is going to have to find a lot of improvement to challenge the best in Dubai.

Next week : The Final Field. Post Positions, comments for each runner and the final verdict on where the Dubai World Cup is heading.