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16:00 Meydan

Saturday 25 March 2023

All11:3012:0512:4013:1513:5014:2515:1016:0016:35

Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1) - Turf

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 2m 25.65s

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(5)

Botanik²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: M Barzalona| T: A Fabre| OR: 116| D

33/1

Very smart gelding who scored 4 times last year prior to finishing good second Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin in December. Third of 5 in minor event (3/1) at Chantilly (9.4f) 21 days ago but this demands more.

Form: 11102-3

(8)

Mostahdaf^p²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 121| D

8/1

Bounced back to form when landing Group 3 September Stakes at Kempton in the autumn. Found conditions all too much in the Prix De L'Arc De Triomphe final start last year but right back to best when landing Group 3 Neom Turf Cup at King Abdulaziz (10.4f) 4 weeks ago. Can figure again with a repeat.

Form: 22610-1

(10)

Rebel's Romance¹⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 121| D

10/3

High-class gelding who brought up the 5-timer (trio in Grade 1's) when landing 13-runner Breeders' Cup Turf at Keeneland (12f) in November by 2¼ lengths from Stone Age, storming clear. Can make presence felt.

Form: 011111-

(3)

Russian Emperor²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: A Sanna| T: D Whyte| OR: 115| D

50/1

Smart gelding. 22/1, respectable 2¾ lengths fifth of 14 to Alfareeq in Jebel Hatta at this course (9f, good) 21 days ago, needing stronger gallop. Significantly back up in trip.

Form: 095-615

(9)

Senor Toba^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: C Fownes| OR: 115| D

66/1

Smart gelding. Latest win at Sha Tin in February. Bit below form 6¼ lengths eighth of 14 to Global Storm in Dubai City of Gold (6/1) at this C&D (good) 21 days ago. Uphill task.

Form: 337-178

(7)

Shahryar^h¹¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: C Demuro| T: H Fujiwara| OR: 120| BF| CD

16/1

High-class horse who won Japanese Derby 2 years ago who ran right up to best when landing this race 12 months ago. Set himself up for a repeat tilt with good second in Japan Cup in November and he ought to be in the mix again.

Form: 43/1452-

(6)

Equinox⁹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: C P Lemaire| T: T Kimura| OR: 125| D

10/11

Top-class colt. 13/10, career best when winning 16-runner Arima Kinen at Nakayama (12.4f, good to firm) 90 days ago by 2½ lengths from Boldog Hos. Highly unlikely he's reached his limit on the back of just 6 career starts and has to merit serious consideration here.

Form: 11/2211-

(1)

Westover¹⁷⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: R M Beckett| OR: 119| D

7/1

High-class colt who would have finished clear second with trouble-free passage in last Year's Epsom Derby and made no mistake when landing Irish equivalent later in June. Disappointed next time but back on track when sixth in Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe final start. Claims of being in the mix.

Form: 2/13156-

(2)

Zagrey³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: C Soumillon| T: Y Barberot| OR: 113

50/1

Smart colt. Creditable 1¼ lengths second of 12 to Nations Pride in Dubai Millennium Stakes at this course (9.9f, good, 11/2) 36 days ago. More needed up in trip.

Form: 1121-42

(4)

Win Marilyn^h1¹⁰⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: D Lane| T: T Tezuka| OR: 115| D

20/1

Very smart mare. Hooded for 1st time, showed good turn of foot to win 10-runner Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin (11.9f, good, 50/9) by 1½ lengths readily from Botanik in December. Not underestimated and she's still low mileage at this sort of trip.

Form: 0/07321-

Forecasts

Equinox (10/11), Rebel's Romance (10/3), Westover (7/1), Mostahdaf (8/1), Shahryar (16/1), Win Marilyn (20/1), Botanik (33/1), Zagrey (50/1), Russian Emperor (50/1), Senor Toba (66/1)

EQUINOX has quickly made up into a top-class colt, posting a career-best effort to land the Arima Kinen at Nakayama in December and he looks the way to go with the possibility of more to come. Last year's winner Shahryar has followed a similar path and is a threat, along with Breeders' Cup Turf winner Rebel's Romance. Westover also commands a second look.