The Dubai World Cup will be the standout race at Meydan later on Saturday night, but there are four more Grade 1s across a star-studded card to enjoy in what will be the 27th edition of the event on the dirt.
The first Grade 1 will be the Al Quoz Sprint, where two of the sixteen entrants are vying for favouritism.
Al Dasim and Al Suhail cannot be separated at 4.00 with William Hill for the six furlong sprint. The George Boughey-trained 3-year-old Al Dasim has won his last five, all as the odds-on favourite, with the latest a Grade 3 triumph at Meydan but on turf.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 22nd, 10:00 A.M. (GMT)
6-year-old Al Suhail had a very average season in the UK last summer but has thrived since Charlie Appleby brought him to the UAE, winning his last two at Meydan including the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort.
The other really in the mix is 5.50 shot Sight Success, who at six years old has travelled away from Hong Kong for the first time. Twice this season he has placed in Grade 1s at Sha Tin.
The Astrologist is at 13.00, while Flaming Rib and Happy Romance are among a string of runners between 15.00 and 17.00
Just over an hour later 14 runners will line up for the second six furlong Grade 1 of the day, the Dubai Golden Shaheen, worth £1 million to the winner.
Godolphin’s Lemon Pop is travelling from Japan for trainer Hiroyasu Tanaka where the 5-year-old has never finished worse than second in any of his eleven races. Ryusei Sakai will be on board.
Last month he took the Grade 1 February Stakes at Tokyo and is the 4.00 favourite with William Hill this weekend.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: March 22nd, 10:00 A.M. (GMT)
Gunite is the 4.50 second favourite, having finished second at the Riyadh Dirt Sprint last month. Steven Asmussen’s 4-year-old has one Grade 1 win but that was eighteen months ago.
Switzerland won this race last year at the third time of asking and is back to try to retain the crown. One of two 9-year-olds in the race, he has only had one outing in the last twelve months, a victory over this course and distance in the Dubawi Stakes in January.
Frankie Dettori rides Hopkins for Bob Baffert. Despite his five years of age, Hopkins has only raced three times, most recently taking the Grade 3 Palos Verdes at Santa Anita.
He, Red Le Zele and Sound Money are all priced at 11.00 and are the best each way chances.
