The Dubai Gold Cup contestants seem to be a field divided by age. Some seasoned racehorses who believe they can go the distance but may just be slightly over the competitive age. While many others are young bucks who are still sowing their wild oats and have yet to settle into their careers.
Vazirabad seems to be one of the few who has all his ducks lined up. Defending champion the trained by Alain De Royer Dupre won both the 2016 & 2017 Dubai Gold Cup. The top stayer enjoys winning and is in great form to repeat his 2017 win. There doesn’t seem to be enough classy competition to beat this son of Manduro. The French trained colt won Gr.1 Prix du Cadran, Gr.3 Prix Gladiateu, Gr.2 Prix Vicomtesse and Gr.2 Vigier in 2017. He has also placed second in the Gr.3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy at Meydan recently. As the reputed trainer himself says, “He is doing very very well!”
Vazirabad’s competition comes in the form of his old opponent Big Orange. He is back in good form last year with Gr.1 Ascot Cup and Gr.3 T Henry II Stakes wins along with a second place in the Gr.1 Goodwood Cup. The Michael Bell pupil has proven himself at this distance and has the capability to beat the best. Yet his luck at Meydan has been a hit and miss in the past.
The young buck Dal Harraild is aimed at the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup. The progressive stayer by Champs Elysees out of Danehill won the 2 miles Conditions Stakes on March 10. He definitely has the pedigree to cause an upset but perhaps lacks the experience (yet).
The lightly raced Nathaniel (by Galileo) colt has the pedigree and the ambition. Thus far the Saeed Bin Suroor pupil has had 3 wins and 4 places from 8 starts. But he was 3rd in the City of Gold Cup. Perhaps he might not be competitive at this distance which is a furlong longer.
Jessica Harrington trained-Torcedor who was second in the Gr.2 British Champions Long Distance Cup. However in his victory at the Vintage Crop stakes his time was off by seconds when compared to Vazirabad’s last Gold Cup run for the same distance. The lofty question is whether he can make the same distance in the heat, under floodlights at Meydan competing against Vazirabad who will be aiming to beat his own time, in his UAE debut.
Saeed Bin Suroor pupil Gold Star has had 3 wins and 4 places from 8 starts. This lightly raced Nathaniel (by Galileo) colt has the pedigree and the ambition. He was 3rd in the City of Gold Cup but could he be competitive at this distance which is a furlong longer? Godolphin’s other entry Rare Rhythm has not run the distance.
Racing and Allen Racing's Run Time, 5-year-old son of 2018 Racing Hall of Fame finalist Gio Ponti, was unplaced in the Gr.2 Mac Diarmida after a head victory in the two-mile H. Allen Jerkens Stakes Dec. 30 to cap his 2017 campaign. The Maker-trained colt was a favourite for the Mac Diarmida along side the eventual winner, Saddler's Joy. He could just be the one to cause an upset.
Charlie Fellowes trained-Prince of Arran comes with a very strong international reputation. He has won the 2mile handicap at Meydan beating Los Barbedos and Red Galileo although he was unplaced in the Group one Goodwood Cup last year where Big Orange placed second behind Stradivarius. Has run the distance and has run against the top contenders during his racing career. Author says he is a bit of a wild card.
There are of course several others but it all comes back to Vazirabad. But he has enough wins under his belt to pull the hat trick off with ease. With Big Orange, Sheikhzayedroad, Torcedor and many other who can come in behind the French trained entire.
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