Dubai Carnival tips: Saturday March 25
1pt win Drain The Clock in 2.45 Meydan at 11/2 (Betfair/Paddy Power)
2pts win Schnell Meister in 3.20 Meydan at 85/40 (Betfair/Paddy Power)
Regular readers of our US tipping column on these pages will know how highly I rate Florida-based trainer Saffie Joseph, and I’m hoping he can bag a landmark success in the Dubai Golden Shaheen with DRAIN THE CLOCK.
This one is an extremely speedy individual who took the scalp of Jackie’s Warrior - one of the fastest horses in North America - at Belmont last summer.
His most recent outing when beaten in minor company at Gulfstream is best forgiven as he contested an overly strong pace before being run down late on.
His draw in stall 3 looks perfect for one with this running style, and he has one of the best jockeys in the world in Irad Ortiz taking the mount. If he breaks sharply, he should go straight to the lead and will save all the ground, a big advantage with his main pace rivals drawn much wider.
The Japanese had a stellar Saudi Cup meeting just recently and their best chance of success at Meydan almost certainly lies with Schnell Meister in the Dubai Turf.
This one boasts some of the very best turf form in the world, including when second to the excellent mare Gran Alegria on his most recent start in the Mile Championship at Hanshin in November.
Last year’s winner Lord North is back to try and retain his crown, but he didn’t have a rival of SCHNELL MEISTER’s ability to cope with in that renewal, and he’ll likely find this a much tougher ask.
Finally, I can’t let this column pass without mention of the World Cup itself, where we get to see the top-class Life Is Good strut his stuff.
Provided he breaks cleanly, his draw in stall 1 should be absolutely perfect, and he’ll go straight to the lead and dare the others to catch him.
He’ll be in unknown territory when it gets to the tenth furlong, however, at which point we’ll really see what this one is made.
I’m hoping we witness something a bit special, with Life Is Good having the potential to crown himself the best horse in the world with an impressive performance.
Published at 0950 GMT on 25/03/22
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