Free horse racing betting tips: Dubai World Cup night preview
Neil Morrice previews the Dubai World Cup card at Meydan has a tip for every race.
Bob Baffert has stamped himself an integral part of World Cup folklore for the past 20 years and the so-called 'Silver Fox' holds the key to the latest running of the $10million showpiece at Meydan with West Coast.
Successful for a third time in this highlight of a stellar night of top-class international racing with Arrogate 12 months ago, Baffert is not wrong when referring to West Coast as "best older dirt horse" following the retirement of Gun Runner.
The four-year-old chased that horse's shadow in both the Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar and the Pegasus at Gulfstream Park, but without a top-drawer American challenger in the field he looks to hold all the cards under Javier Castellano.
Baffert has supervised 5am workouts for the general 10/11 favourite, who floated over the fluffed-up dirt track under work rider Dana Barnes on Thursday.
Baffert's interest in the race is also fuelled by Mubtaahij, who has been round the block a few times and with his UAE Derby success of 2015 and second and fourth in the last two World Cups has the wherewithal to rank the best each-way shot in the 10-strong line-up.
The Bob Baffert-trained West Coast gallops over the Meydan track this morning in preparation for Saturday's G1 Dubai World Cup. pic.twitter.com/HJzBy6XQsW
— TDN (@theTDN) March 29, 2018
Godolphin dominated 'Super Saturday' three weeks ago, although it was a surprise that Benbatl was beaten in his trial, the Group One Jebel Hatta.
The son of Dubawi missed the break and by racing wide gave away more ground than the three-quarters of a length he was eventually beaten by. It cost him his 100 per cent record at this year's Carnival and Oisin Murphy will be anxious to put the record straight in the $6m Dubai Turf.
Saeed bin Suroor could hardly be more bullish about the well-drawn Benbatl, with the trainer saying he worked like a dream in his final gallop.
William Buick has an especially strong book of rides, the best of which is Blue Point in the $1m Al Quoz Sprint.
Charlie Appleby's ace has strengthened up and gone forward for his promising comeback run against the injured Ertijaal five weeks ago, and has the fast underfoot conditions to show he can be a major force in sprints through 2018.
He is fancied to breeze home and set himself up for a crack at the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Appleby fields strong favourite Rare Rhythm and Frontiersman for the $1m Dubai Gold Cup.
The fragile Rare Rhythm comes with risks attached, and while Frontiersman needs to dispel the theory that he does not stay, this beautifully-bred son of Dubawi and Ouija Board looks over-priced at 12-1 after his fine effort against Hawkbill last time out.
Poet's Word has the look of a typical Sir Michael Stoute improver and can give Cloth Of Stars plenty to think about in the $6m Sheema Classic.
Frankie Dettori's mount has a way to go before being compared to former Stoute champions such as Singspiel, Pilsudski and Conduit, who reached their heights as older horses, but he appeals as the quiet assassin here, having gone through his training in a no-frills style.
Aidan O'Brien's best winning chance from a team of seven comes via Mendelssohn, who can surprise hot favourite Gold Town in the $1m UAE Derby.
The Scat Daddy colt could target the Kentucky Derby and so winning is clearly on the minds of the Coolmore chiefs and not anything less.
Sporting Life tips:
MEYDAN: 12.45 Akito Crescent, 1.50 Frontiersman (each-way), 2.30 Mendelssohn, 3.05 BLUE POINT (NAP), 3.40 Roy H, 4.35 Benbatl, 5.10 Poet's Word, 5.50 West Coast.
DOUBLE: Blue Point and Benbatl.
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