From the ERA.....
Al Maktoum Challenge R1 – Form analysis
15:52 - 16 January 2008
HAPPY BOY (BRZ) 2003 gr h Ski Champ – Ultra Maresca (Filago)
9 starts 5-1-1 Impressive looking Brazilian horse with good form. Winner of a Grade 3 on his most recent appearance prior to travelling to Dubai. Form prior to that was just as good but over slightly further than this. Draw may not be a help as he is likely to get back but distance here could suit on first run for two months and stays under notice. GOLDEN ARROW (IRE) 2003 b h Danehill – Cheal Rose (Dr Devious)
14 starts 2-2-2 Third in this race last year at first run on dirt but couldn’t repeat that effort in three subsequent runs during the Carnival, his best a fourth in handicap company behind Dynamic Saint. Has changed trainers since then and having first run since early March. This best distance and if he can repeat first-up effort last season can produce forward showing here.
GLORIA DE CAMPEAO (BRZ) 2003 b h Impression – Audacity (Clackson)
9 starts 5-0-2 Races under same ownership as last year’s winner Imperialista. Sent to France after showing very good form in Brazil in the best of company. Had one run in France at end of last year when sixth in very strong Group 2 at Longchamp. Recent form has been on turf but showed ability on dirt earlier in career and must be considered in this. Ideally drawn.
ETIHAAD (GB) 2002 b h Dubai Millennium - Elfaslah (Green Desert)
1 start 1-0-0 A half-brother to a Dubai World Cup winner in Almutawakel and by a Dubai World Cup winner in Dubai Millennium. Was impressive when making his UAE debut on his most recent appearance and while he will find this harder he will certainly improve for that.
JET EXPRESS (SAF) 2002 b g Jet Master – Outback Romance (Sharp Romance)
16 starts 4-2-1 Has impressed this season winning three of his only four starts. Jumps from handicaps to Group company here but is in peak form and handled step up in distance last start. Can finish in the frame.
VORTEX (GB) 1999 b g Danehill - Roupala (Vaguely Noble)
68 starts 17-10-8 Another grand campaigner returning to the UAE. Showed good form when here last year winning over 1,500m on turf and on switch to dirt was second in the Burj Nahaar before failing in the Godolphin Mile. Form was fair on return to England but showed he is ready for another good Dubai campaign with a third behind Capricorn Run and Jack Sullivan on the all weather at Lingfield last start. Goes well over this trip and cannot leave out.
FORTY HABLADOR (ARG) 2001 b g Roar – La Charlatana (Kasteel)
32 starts 3-2-2 registered first win since September 2004 with his surprise runaway success over this course and distance last Thursday. Form prior to that was only average and taking on much better quality here.
ALL THAT AND MORE (IRE) 2002 ch g Unfuwain – Ideal Lady (Seattle Slew)
10 starts 4-0-0 Formerly trained in UK by Barry Hills where he won his first three starts, twice over this trip. Only won once in five subsequent runs before being sent to UAE. Two runs this season have been only fair and this is much harder so vast improvement is needed here.
ESQUIRE (GB) 2002 b h Dubai Millennium - Esperada (Equalize)
11 starts 2-0-1 Won here over 1,500m on second start of this season but form since then has been only fair incl latest when well back behind Instant Recall on the turf last week. Although up significantly in grade, he will be better suited here back on the dirt and his run two starts ago gives him place claims. FROSTY SECRET (USA) 2004 dk b/br c Put It Back – Secret From Above (Great Above)
13 starts 2-3-3 Former American horse sent to UAE after showing good form. Won in Allowance company over 1,400m in March and form since was quite good. On first run in UAE turned in a very good effort when second in Winter Racing Challenge Final two weeks back. Fitter for that and rise in distance will benefit. Must be considered. CALRISSIAN (GER) 2004 ch c Efisio – Centaine (Royal Academy)
8 starts 3-3-2 Yet to be out of a place in eight career starts but facing toughest test to date here. Was second in 3 runner race on dirt two starts back after showing good form over longer distances. Latest effort was quite good in Germany, albeit beaten a fair way when second. Surface here is the query. BOSTON LODGE (GB) 2000 ch g Grand Lodge – Ffestiniog (Efisio)
45 starts 6-7-8 Found career best form when in Dubai at last year’s Carnival winning a 90-105 handicap over this course and distance before successfully graduating to Pattern company securing the biggest win of his career when defeating Vortex in the Group 3 Burj Nahaar. Couldn’t repeat that effort in the Godolphin Mile when well back. Obviously goes well over this course and distance and must be considered.
STATE SHINTO (USA) 1996 dk b/br h Pleasant Colony - Sha Tha (Mr Prospector)
61 starts 9-7-4 Grand campaigner running in this race for the sixth time, having won it in 2004 with a defeat of Tropical Star. Is racing far below his best form and recent form has been only average and it is hard to see him troubling these.
SALT TRACK (ARG) 2000 b h Salt Lake – Astralisima (Fitzcarraldo)
29 starts 10-4-3 had impressive form in native Argentina prior to moving to Europe where he has raced well on dirt surfaces there. Latest effort in good company was quite strong and although this is harder he will handle the surface and has some claims.
IMPERIALISTA (BRZ) 2003 b h Voando Baixo – Zarumba Bis (Be My Chief)
8 starts 3-1-1 Brilliant winner of this last year as a three-year-old and purchased by present connections after that. Failed to reproduce that effort in second round of Maktoum Challenge and Burj Nahaar and not seen since his effort on Super Thursday last year. Will have acclimatized and obviously races well on the dirt. Wouldn’t surprise to see him return to his best here despite wide draw.
JACK SULLIVAN (USA) 2001 ch g Belong To Me – Provisions (Devil’s Bag)
32 starts 7-6-3 Outstanding performer on this course winning successive rounds of the Maktoum Challenge Round 2 in 2005 and 2006, the Burj Nahaar in 2006 and finishing fourth in the 2005 Dubai World Cup. Finished well back in Japan Cup Dirt three starts back but subsequent appearances in England have been strong and comes here as one of the main contenders despite wide draw.
Weather watch.....
http://gulfnews.com/nation/Environment/10182316.html