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16:00 Meydan

Saturday 30 March 2024

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

Race 8 - Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1) - TURF

Off time: 16:01 | Winning time: 2m 26.72s

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(6)

Junko²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: M Guyon| T: A Fabre| OR: 117| BF| D

22/1

Ended his 4-y-o season with Group 1 wins in Grosser Preis von Bayern at Munich and Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin (showing fine turn of foot from rear in slowly-run race). Disappointed in minor event at Chantilly on return but might have needed it. Better expected but this is a strong renewal.

Form: 31311-2

(3)

Justin Palace⁹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: J Moreira| T: H Sugiyama| OR: 121| BF

14/1

High-class Japanese performer. Group 1 winner at 2m but proved he's effective at middle distances when hitting the frame in Group 1s next 3 starts. Likely to find a few too good again under these conditions.

Form: 7/11324-

(1)

Point Lonsdale⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: W M Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 116

100/1

Smart performer but not up to this level. Possible pacemaker.

Form: 38643-0

(11)

Rebel's Romance⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 120| D

28/1

Won 5 on the spin at 4 yrs, including 3 Group/Grade 1s (Breeders' Cup Turf winner). Failed to hit those heights last season but looked back to his best when winning Group 3 at Doha on return last month. This much tougher, however.

Form: 1/7U41-1

(2)

Shahryar^h⁹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: C Demuro| T: H Fujiwara| OR: 121| CD

33/1

High-class horse who won the Japanese Derby 3 years ago and this race in 2022. Failed to win in 4 starts last season, including when only fifth in this on return, though he might have won the Breeders' Cup Turf had he stuck to the rail. Not taken lightly.

Form: 52/5035-

(5)

Simca Mille^t⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: A De Mieulle| OR: 115| D

66/1

Very smart performer, winning Group 2s at Longchamp/Chantilly and Group 1 at Hoppegarten last season. Narrow winner of a minor event at Doha on first start for this yard on return but was over 7 lengths behind Rebel's Romance in Group 3 there since.

Form: 2110-16

(12)

Sisfahan²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: L Delozier| T: H Grewe| OR: 115| D

125/1

Winner of the German Derby in 2021 but just the one win since and was below par in Group 2 here on return.

Form: 72267-3

(10)

Spirit Dancer³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: O Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 118

25/1

A real money-spinner for connections, adding another valuable success in the Middle East in Group 2 at Saudi Arabia, but this challenge looks beyond him.

Form: 1141-41

(7)

Auguste Rodin¹⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 125| D

5/4

Flopped in 2000 Guineas in King George at Ascot but won all other outings at 3 yrs, namely Derby at Epsom, Irish Derby at the Curragh, Irish Champion at Leopardstown and Breeders' Cup Turf final start. This arguably his toughest challenge yet but he may well prove up to it.

Form: 011011-

(4)

Emily Upjohn^h²⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: K Shoemark| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 121| D

11/2

Unlucky in Oaks at 3 yrs. Signed off 2022 with an emphatic success in Fillies and Mares at Ascot. Took form to another level when making impressive winning return in Coronation Cup at Epsom last season before good second in Eclipse. Not seen since flopping in King George but big shout on best form.

Form: 261/127-

(8)

Stars On Earth⁹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: L Dettori| T: Mizuki Takayanagi| OR: 119| D

18/1

Won Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) and Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) at 3 yrs. Placed all starts in 2023, including in Japan Cup at Tokyo (5 lengths third to Equinox) and Arima Kinen at Nakayama (½-length second to Do Deuce) on last 2. Should in the mix again.

Form: 13/2332-

(9)

Liberty Island¹²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Y Kawada| T: M Nakauchida| OR: 121| D

9/4

High-class Japanese filly who has won 5 of her 7 starts, including Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) and Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks, by 6 lengths). Beaten only by the imperious Equinox in Japan Cup at Tokyo on final start. Obvious claims.

Form: 21/1112-

Forecasts

Auguste Rodin (5/4), Liberty Island (9/4), Emily Upjohn (11/2), Justin Palace (14/1), Stars On Earth (18/1), Junko (22/1), Spirit Dancer (25/1), Rebel's Romance (28/1), Shahryar (33/1), Simca Mille (66/1), Point Lonsdale (100/1), Sisfahan (125/1)

A very strong renewal. EMILY UPJOHN left subsequent King George/Arc runner-up Westover for dead when making a winning reappearance in the Coronation Cup at Epsom last season and looks the value call for a stable that has won this a record 3 times. Japan have won the last 2 renewals and hold a powerful hand once again, headed by last season's champion 3-y-o filly Liberty Island. It looks significant that Auguste Rodin has been kept in training and he is another big player.