Best bets for the Dubai Carnival Meydan Thursday 1st March 2018

Not much going on in the UK as the weather continues to play havoc with the horse racing fixture list. Unsurprisingly they do go out in Dubai at Meydan for the final Thursday of the Dubai World Cup Carnival 2018.

At 3.05 it’s the Meydan Classic Sponsored By Trans Gulf Electro-Mechanical Listed Stakes on the Turf over the mile. Wasim and Zaman are the two to concentrate on here with the Godolphin owned Charlie Appleby trained colt expected to gain revenge on his conqueror of three weeks ago over seven furlongs. Zaman found all sorts of trouble and got going all too late that day and was catching the winner hand over fist but the post came just too soon. A clear run and the extra furlong should see him reverse the form and I have the 4-5 with Betfred about him doing so.

At 3.40 the ladies take centre stage for the UAE Oaks Sponsored By Al Naboodah Construction Group Group 3 Stakes on the Dirt track over 1m1½f. It’s Godolphin again but this time Saeed bin Suroor as the trainer as I can’t see passed Winter Lightning for this. She has the form over a few of these including main danger Raya and with the step up in trip expected to suit she is fancied to keep her unbeaten record at the Carnival and that’s why she is 1-4 not really a punting price.

Back on the Turf track at 4.30 for the 1m6f Nad Al Sheba Trophy Sponsored By Al Naboodah Civil Engineering Group 3 Stakes. Vazirabad (11-8 best) is top class and has form here including when winning the two-mile G.2 Dubai Gold Cup last season on World Cup night last year. That said he got beat in this last year and he is obviously using this as a prep race for the big one again. Sheikhzayedroad has never gotten the better of the jolly but was just behind him here twice last season and though getting no younger if the French raider slips-up or isn’t quite match fit the David Simcock trained gelding might be the one to take advantage. At the prices, I am on the old boy each-way at 10-1. Rare Rhythm and Natural Scenery head the opposition for the Godolphin team but need to improve on what they have shown.

And that’s all from me, I wish I was out in Dubai to watch the racing but I shall have to make do with sitting under a blanket at Triple G Towers watching TV with a hot toddy.  

Be lucky