By Andy Villanueva
DUBAI RACING CARNIVAL SPOTLIGHT
JANUARY 10, 2019
RACE 3: UAE 2000 GUINEAS TRIALS (First Prep for UAE DERBY)
Interesting first trial for UAE Derby as many were auctioned off at Keeneland, Fasig-Tipton Midatlantic or OBS.
One thing to understand about this race is that many in here aren’t pointing for this race as its run at Seven Furlongs on the dirt. Many of the connections are aiming hire, what we do is that usually this race is primed for value if we can find the intended horse.
Here are the horses that went thru the sales ring in the United States:
(3) AL SEEL LEGACY’S(Uncaptured - Legacy’s Silver by Robyn Dancer)
Doug Walton bought colt for $105k at the Fasig-Tipton Midatlantic Two-Year Olds in Training sale. Pedigree suggests colt might be on the cusp of distance, which bodes well for connections in this spot.
(4) ALLA MAHLAK(Kitten’s Joy - Lead Me On by Broken Vow)
Ramsey bred colt, did not meet reserve at the KEESEPT2017 as highest bid was $45k. First foal for dam which won $124K. Kitten's Joy stands for $75k, was resold at Goresbridge Flat Breeze Up Sale 2018 for $23k. Would like to see this colt on turf.
(7) GALAXY ROAD (Elusive Quality - Nana Anna by Henny Hughes)
Elusive Quality's stud fee was $100k, colt was sold for KEESEPT2017 for $27k and resold for Goresbridge Flat Breeze Up Sale 2018 for $10k. Debuts for Galaxy Racing.Was bred by Godolphin, Dr. Tom Keenan, and Dr. George White, fact that Godolphin didn’t keep colt says quite a bit.
(8)GIANT HERO (Giant’s Causeway - Hollywood Heroine by Medaglia d’Oro)
Bred by George Krikorian, Giant Hero was a $45k KEESEPT2017 graduate purchased by Steve Asmussen and Erv Woolsey. Broke maiden at Ellis Park where Asmussen usually runs his second string during the summer. Was purchased privately after that win by Sheik Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. FQLLQW
(10) NITRO(Candy Ride (ARG) - Secret Jewel by Bernardini)
Fasig-Tipton October yearling sale 2017, purchased by John Stephens for $6k. Stephens sold colt at OBS June 2-yr old in training sale by Kildare Stud and Frankie O'Conner for $32k. Candy Ride stud fee $80k. Three Chimeny’s is part breeder here, they only keep the horses they feel will be profitable.
(11) POWER LINK(Data Link - Greyciousness by Miswaki)
1/2 to GSW The Factor. Claiborne Farm didn’t meet reserve at the Keeneland Sales in November 2016 and September 2017 as a consignor. Was sold at Arqana Auction in Europe for $214k. Will be interesting to see this gelding on turf as Data Link was a strong miler and dam sire was strong turf sire.
(13) RED CACTUS(Hard Spun -Strut the Canary by Mineshaft)
Short yearling sale purchase at KEEJAN2017 for $60k, resold by Taylor Made Sales for $85k at KEESEPT2017. Shipped to Europe where colt was auctioned Goffs UK, sold for $113k. Pedigree suggests longer distances on dirt as third dam dropped GSW Island Fashion.
(15) WALKING THUNDER (Violence - Street Show by Street Boss)
Was OBS Sales June 2018 purchase for $42k. This is dam's first foal. Violence has become quite the dirt and turf sire. Think if he might fire in this spot but don't like post position.
RACE ANALYSIS
De Kock doesn’t just get prep races, usually he wants to fire off a layoff, Faith and Fortune is an Argentinian-bred gets the rail going seven furlongs. His best races have been at this distance and further.
Godolphin thinks bigger picture at this meet, there are other horses that they own in this race, Royal Marine is trying dirt for the first time which is key here as the “Blue Army” wants to see if he can handle it going forward.
Walking Thunder could be primed in this spot for Galaxy Racing.
Giant Herois the one to watch here, Sheik Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoumwouldn’t buy a horse if he didn’t see enough talent as he’s been searching for a Kentucky Derby win. Doesn’t matter where he finishes today as he’s being pointed for the UAE Derby, connections will try and get him primed for Dubai World Cup day.
AL MAKTOUM CHALLENGE ROUND 1
One of the first Godolphin Mile and Dubai World Cup preps which brings out some of the big guns in Dubai. North America runs well in first off the long layoff and beat Thunder Snow Al Maktoum Challenge 3 last year before being beat by Thunder Snow, West Coast and Mubtaahij. Should be well spotted here. Heavy Metalusually is being pointed for the first round challenge, eligible to fire here but bigger goal is the Godolphin Mile. Gold Town returns after chasing Mendelssohn in UAE Derby, he’s the interesting case here. Shown to have talent and been favored in most of his starts. Its the first time facing older. Kimbear gets wheeled backed in a week, most US bettors may end up playing horse off his efforts in Southern California. Hasn’t shown he can handle this quality.