Dubai Golden Shaeen 2012

4.35 Meydan

Dubai Golden Shaheen Sponsored By Gulf News (Group 1) (AWT) (3yo +)

Advice: 1 pt win Rocket Man (7/2 Hills), 1 pt place The Factor (10/11 Bet Victor), 0.5 pt Tricast Rocket Man/The Factor/Sepoy (42.50 Bet365)

Rocket Man: Impressive winner of this race last year and won three more races (two of them Group 1 events) before disappointing a little in Japan, although mid race interference is said to have lost him crucial momentum in Japan; Blowout in Hong Kong Sprint but wide draw killed his chances and he’s got the inside chute today, so no excuses at all.

Happy Dubai: Got on a winning run a couple of years ago in the AUE when front running tactics were tried with much success but struggled with his rise in the weights, only winning once from 6 2012 starts, and surprise if he can actually make a real impact here.

Giant Ryan: Won his sixth straight race of a remarkable year in 2011/12 when keeping Force Freeze at home in a very good renewal of the Vosbrugh Stakes; Bit of a Breeders’ Cup disappointment there and while best form would see him with a big chance here, he’s been off since and there would have to be a question mark about his readiness.

Russian Rock: Going for a hat trick here off the back of wins at Jebel Ali, including one in a listed race, but that form still a good 10lbs below what’s required to win this.

Kyrpton Factor: Impressed many with his two wins over this C&D this season, including a smooth success over Hitchens following his defeat in Al Shindagha Sprint (may have gone a touch too quickly for his own good);

Hitchens: Brought his improved form from Dubai to the Carnival this season, coming second behind Captain Obvious before nailing Krypton Factor in Group 3 Mahab Al Shimaal; That rival got first run but did look quite superior when winning well last time out and in any case this is a far harder task for him.

 The Factor: One of the fastest horses in training, as shown by his blistering win in the Pat O’Brien Stakes off the back of a four month layoff; Susceptible to being taken on for the lead though, as was shown when he got overturned at 2/5 in the Ancient Title Stakes before the Breeders Cup (a run best forgotten given how he clearly doesn’t stay much longer than a sprint distance); Deeply impressive on last two starts when getting lead he wants and as good as any if that happens, although worry if he gets taken on.

Iver Bridge Lad: As tough and likeable as they come but hard to see him winning this based on his three best runs this season, as a mark of 108 has already stopped him in handicap company.

Sepoy: Champion 3yo sprinter in Australia who came up just short in bid for seven timer in Oakleigh Plate, when conceding topweight to all and trying to run finish out of them from the front; Might be better off with a shorter trip and could have been better drawn but no denying his class and needs serious respecting today.

Inxile: Best when trying to run the finish out of his rivals and that likely to be near impossible in a race of this class; Others readily preferred.

Soul: Listed and Group 2 winner in Australia who won 6f handicap easily here off 109 but form doesn’t compare to some of the better types here and has a huge task on his hands if he wants to be winning here.

Lucky Nine: One of the best sprinters in Hong Kong, winning Hong Kong Sprint in good style, although things worked out much better for him than Rocket Man; Not quick enough for 5f next time out but other two solid efforts convice that he has a big chance here; Drawn all the way out in 12 though, so will need some luck here although he’s sure to have the race run to suit.

VERDICT: A cracking international matchup between Sepoy, ROCKET MAN, & THE FACTOR, with preference for the latter two names mentioned despite the awesome winning streak that Peter Snowden’s 3yo carried throughought last season. There seem to be suggestions that Rocket Man isn’t the horse that he was last season but he had excuses for both his high profile defeats last season and from stall 1, he should take the catching if actually on form. If the general suggestion is actually true though, then The Factor seems well placed to take advantage if he can get to the lead. That’s easier said than done but the last two times he’s gotten an easy lead he’s won with ease and he looks a good place option, with Lucky Nine on the outside of 12 and Force Freeze coming off a longer break than one would like for this event. Krypton Factor looks best of the rest.