Best bets for the racing from Meydan the Dubai Carnival Thursday 17th January 2019

Carnival time again at Triple G concentrates on Meydan and the third meeting of the Dubai Carnival. I expect Godolphin to have a very good day.

The 1m6f Azizi Riviera Handicap at 3.05 is the first race of interest to me. Ispolini from the yard of Charlie Appleby looks the one to be on here. Lightly raced for a four-year-old the gelding blew away any cobwebs when second here over 1m4f a couple of weeks ago. The step-up in trip should be fine and I have happily taken 7-4. Red Galileo has been in some top races down the years but wins rarely and at eight years of age his powers might be on the wane now.

The main action of the day is the Group Two Cape Verdi Sponsored By Azizi Developments Fillies & Mares Stakes on the Turf track at 4.15 and Godolphin have a very strong hand. Poetic Charm has a Listed win to her name over a mile at Longchamp and is the best filly on show to my eyes. James Doyle rides the Charlie Appleby inmate and she should have too much for this line-up; the draw has been kind as well. I have the 11-8. The Saeed bin Suroor trained pair of Asoof and Victory Wave (who I have tipped when winning in the past) look the dangers. Furia Cruzada has been in with some of the best in her career, was with John Gosden a few years back, but the mare has just the one win to her name and I unlikely to add to that tally here.

Key Victory was sent off jolly for the 1m1f G.1 Singspiel Stakes Presented By Longines V H P Collection back on the 3rd January but finished down the field; I said at the time the race was best watched and I am glad I left it alone. He raced too freely that day and all being well he’ll be better behaved today for the run and the colt can be backed in the lucky last the 1m Azizi Mina Handicap on the Turf again at 5.25. Team Godolphin thought enough of the colt to send him to the G.1 Prix Du Jockey Club back in the summer and anywhere near his best he would win this despite carrying top-weight. I have taken the 5-2.

Be lucky