We are back at Meydan on Friday evening for an 8-race card that includes the Group 2 Madjani Stakes for the Arabian-breds. As we move closer to the Carnival in the New Year, it is important to keep an eye on the handicap form, but the races for the 2 and 3-year-olds that appeal most on Friday’s card.
Dubai Islands Conditions Race
Killer Collect got the better of Gaassid when they met here last month over a mile but there is definitely a case to be made for that form being reversed as they step up in trip here. Killer Collect was the fastest horse out of the gate last time, running a 10.37s 2nd furlong which allowed him to get across to the rail to lead. Despite having Gaassid on his quarters for most of the bend, he was able to save ground on the inside rail before kicking away with 2-furlongs to run. However, he ran a final furlong of 13.09s and his run-out speed of 32.06 mph was slower than the runner-up (33.33 mph). Gaassid ran the final 3-furlongs in 12.69, 12.73 and 12.76s, suggesting that he had plenty left and he simply lacked the necessary speed to get himself on terms. The pair had pulled 14-lengths clear of the rest by the time they crossed the line and there is no obvious reason to think that the likes of Guns and Glory (6th) or Moonshiner (5th) are going to get any closer for the addition of 300-metres.
Tokyo Tower did win at Abu Dhabi last time, but this is a much deeper race and he was behind several of these when he ran at Meydan in the Spring too. If there is a danger to Killer Collect and Gaassid then it is surely more likely to be Mendelssohn Bay. He was no match for Forever Young in the UAE Derby but his earlier form, including a maiden win and the UAE 2,000 Guineas in January would definitely give him a chance. He was easily the best horse in the UAE Guineas, closing in 12.27 and 12.71s and on the bare form, he would look to hold Killer Collect. However, his top speed of 41.72 mph was slower than the runner-up that day and on his first start since March, he may well need this run and is likely to be behind some of his race-fit rivals after the opening 2-furlongs. If we assume he has trained on, then he is likely to end the season in front of the majority of this field, but with the benefit of a recent run, he may find Gaassid and Killer Collect too hard to peg back.
Palm Beach Towers “Never Won 2”
Dark Saffron has experience on the track and he was a winner over course and distance 3-weeks ago when he got the better of African Candy and Undefeated. He broke well from stall 6 to get across to the rail, opening with furlong splits of 13.47 and 10.47s, the fastest in the field. From there, he was able to control the pace before running an 11.64s penultimate furlong, the fastest in the field, which allowed him to kick clear. He won by over 4-lengths and sets a fair standard, but he was slowing in the final furlong and a run-out speed of 32.19 mph was the slowest of the 4 horses ridden out through the line. In Military Order, he faces some highly promising opposition and conceding 2.5-kilos to Bhupat Seemar’s promising grey will not be easy.
Military Order is making his debut, but he has already won a pair of trial races on the track, including a 5-length win over Taswaheen on 13th November. He ran 59.62s for the 1,000m on that occasion and showed plenty of speed to suggest that he will be able to go with Dark Saffron from the start. He is the more exciting of the 4 debutantes in the field and he makes plenty of appeal to make a winning start given the speed that he showed in his trial.