Midge returns in Sheema; Kinsale King defends title in Golden Shaheen

Last updated: 3/23/11 3:58 PM

Midge returns in Sheema; Kinsale King defends title in
Golden Shaheen

Dangerous Midge and Champ Pegasus (left) will put their Breeders’ Cup Turf form to the test in the Sheema
(Copyright Breeders’ Cup Ltd.)

While the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) is the marquee event at Meydan
on Saturday, the
six supporting Thoroughbred stakes on the card will begin the
crescendo.

The $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1) features a rematch of the top
two from the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1), with winner DANGEROUS MIDGE (Lion Heart)
and runner-up CHAMP PEGASUS (Fusaichi Pegasus) squaring off in the about 1
1/2-mile grass event. Dangerous Midge hasn’t raced since the November 6
Breeders’ Cup, but trainer Brian Meehan sent out David Junior to lift the Dubai
Duty Free (UAE-G1) off a similar layoff in 2006.

Champ Pegasus, on the other hand, has two subsequent starts under his belt at
Santa Anita. Runner-up to BOURBON BAY (Sligo Bay [Ire]) in the January 17 San
Marcos S. (G2), the Richard Mandella charge turned the tables after a thrilling
duel in the February 19 San Luis Obispo (G2). Bourbon Bay may not have relished
the rain-softened ground in his latest, according to horseman Neil Drysdale.

Godolphin fields a serious threat in REWILDING (Tiger Hill). Third in last
year’s Derby (Eng-G1) at Epsom, the Mahmood al Zarooni pupil later romped by
four lengths in the Great Voltigeur S. (Eng-G2) at York. Rewilding hasn’t been
seen since his subpar sixth in the September 11 St Leger (Eng-G1) over an
extended 1 3/4 miles, but figures to thrive back at this distance. Godolphin’s
second-stringer, CALVADOS BLUES (Lando [Ger]), exits a second-place effort in
the March 3 Dubai City of Gold (UAE-G2).

Other Sheema contenders include United Nations S. (G1) winner CHINCHON (Ire)
(Marju); Canadian Grade 1 victor REDWOOD (GB) (High Chaparral [Ire]), most
recently runner-up in the December 12 Hong Kong Vase (HK-G1); KING DANCER (Danehill
Dancer), a fine second in the February 27 Hong Kong Gold Cup (HK-G1); the
progressive multiple Group 3 scorer LAAHEB (Cape Cross [Ire]); last year’s Duty
Free shocker AL SHEMALI (Medicean); and well-bred Japanese Grade 2 victor
RULERSHIP (King Kamehameha).

Wigmore Hall (left) comes into the Duty Free off a last-stride score in the Jebel Hatta
(Andrew Watkins/Dubai Racing Club)

As usual, the $5 million Dubai Duty Free shapes up as a contentious affair at
about 1 1/8 miles on turf. The seven-year-old PRESVIS (Sakhee) hopes that the
third time is the charm, having finished second in the 2009 Duty Free and 11th
when suffering traffic woes in 2010. The Luca Cumani trainee was right back to
his crushing best with a 4 3/4-length triumph in the January 27 Al Rashidiya
(UAE-G2), but was narrowly denied in third in the March 3 Jebel Hatta (UAE-G2),
both contested over this course and distance. Presvis will get another chance at
Jebel Hatta winner WIGMORE HALL (Ire) (High Chaparral [Ire]) here, but Jebel
Hatta runner-up Poet’s Voice (Dubawi) is in the World Cup.

Mike de Kock will be double-handed, courtesy of South African Group 1 queen
RIVER JETEZ (Jet Master), a convincing winner of the February 18 Balanchine S.
(UAE-G2), and RAIHANA (Elusive Quality), a close second to the razor-sharp
DERBAAS (Seeking the Gold) in the February 17 Al Fahidi Fort (UAE-G2).

BANKABLE (Medicean), the second-place finisher in last year’s Duty Free, took
an unorthodox route by prepping in the about six-furlong Mahab al Shimaal
(UAE-G3) on the Tapeta. When he exploded from the rear of the field to win going
away, he posted by far his best effort of the Carnival for trainer Herman Brown.

Godolphin’s MENDIP (Harlan’s Holiday) also scored on the Tapeta on Super
Thursday, just eking out a victory in the about one-mile Burj Nahaar (UAE-G3).
The Saeed bin Suroor charge, whose only career loss was a third in the 2010
U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2), will make his turf debut in a tough spot. Godolphin will
also be represented by Arlington Million (G1) winner DEBUSSY (Ire) (Diesis
[GB]), who reverts to the grass after a disappointing run in the March 3 Maktoum
Challenge Round 3 (UAE-G2) on the main track.

Leading a formidable team of shippers is BEAUTY FLASH (Golan [Ire]), who
sports a nifty winning streak comprising the December 12 Hong Kong Mile (HK-G1)
over ROYAL BENCH (Whipper), the January 30 Stewards’ Cup (HK-G1) and the March 6
Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (HK-G1). Multiple Group 3 hero TAZEEZ (Silver Hawk),
third in the Arlington Million last campaign, aims to score a Group 1
breakthrough in his reappearance for John Gosden, while Singapore sensation
BETTER THAN EVER (French Deputy) and Shoemaker Mile (G1) winner VICTOR’S CRY
(Street Cry [Ire]) seek to make a mark on the world stage.

Kinsale King and Rocket Man finished one-two in the 2010 Golden Shaheen
(Andrew Watkins/Dubai Racing Club)

In the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1) for sprinters on the Tapeta,
defending champion KINSALE KING (Yankee Victor) will try to emulate Caller One,
a back-to-back winner at old Nad al Sheba in 2001-02. Conditioned by the
ebullient Carl O’Callaghan, Kinsale King upended Singapore’s pride ROCKET MAN
(Viscount) in this about six-furlong scramble last year. His form deteriorated
later in the season, but Kinsale King got back on track with a strong allowance
win over the Tapeta at Golden Gate Fields on February 17.

The Bob Baffert-trained EUROEARS (Langfuhr) prepped in the race that Kinsale
King used last year, the January 22 Palos Verdes H. (G2), and sizzled to a
front-running score. The seven-year-old figures to show similar speed here, but
he has never before tried a synthetic surface.

Rocket Man, the recently-crowned Horse of the Year in Singapore, is still in
search of his first international Group 1 victory after a few agonizing
near-misses. He was compromised by a bad trip in the 2010 Golden Shaheen,
however, and a more sensible passage can see him take the laurels.

The Hong Kong team warrants considerable respect — GREEN BIRDIE (Catbird),
who denied Rocket Man in the 2010 KrisFlyer International Sprint (Sin-G1); DIM
SUM (Kyllachy), who won the Chairman’s Sprint Prize (HK-G1) for the second time
on February 5; synthetic specialist DYNAMIC BLITZ (Elusive Quality), a 2
1/4-length hero of the February 3 Al Shindagha Sprint (UAE-G3) in his Dubai bow;
and SUNNY KING (Desert Sun [GB]), twice runner-up to Beauty Flash this winter.

Turf speedsters will dash about five furlongs down the straightaway in the $1
million Al Quoz Sprint (UAE-G2), and South African superstar J J THE JET PLANE
(Jet Master) is the top draw. The winner of this event in its old guise in 2009,
when it was held over six furlongs at Nad al Sheba, the seven-year-old gelding
registered a career-high when garnering the Hong Kong Sprint (HK-G1) in
December, defeating Rocket Man and Sacred Kingdom (Encosta de Lago).

Among his rivals are fellow globetrotting veteran WAR ARTIST (Orpen);
American raiders STRADIVINSKY (Stravinsky), QUICK ENOUGH (High Brite) and MR
GRUFF (Mr. Greeley); up-and-coming Singaporean BETTER BE THE ONE (More Than
Ready); course specialist HAPPY DUBAI (Indian Ridge); and SOLE POWER (Kyllachy),
last seen springing a 100-1 surprise in the August 20 Nunthorpe S. (Eng-G1).

Khawlah and Mahbooba (left) figure to stage another battle royal in the UAE Derby
(Andrew Watkins/Dubai Racing Club)

The $2 million U.A.E. Derby (UAE-G2) could witness its first female winner,
for three of the prime threats are fillies. Godolphin’s highly-regarded KHAWLAH
(Cape Cross [Ire]) benefited from a perfect trip to thwart de Kock’s number one
MAHBOOBA (Galileo [Ire]) in the February 24 U.A.E. Oaks (UAE-G3) at this 1
3/16-mile trip.

De Kock later revealed the depth of his bench when REEM (Galileo [Ire]),
previously runner-up to Mahbooba in the U.A.E. One Thousand Guineas, annihilated
a suspect group of males in the March 3 Al Bastakiya. Yet the form was given a
decent look by the fact that Al Bastakiya runner-up AHLAAIN (Bernstein) had also
finished second to INTROVERT (Iffraaj) in the February 24 Meydan Classic on
turf.

Thus the top two colts from the February 10 U.A.E. Two Thousand Guineas
(UAE-G3), Godolphin’s SPLASH POINT (Street Cry [Ire]) and de Kock’s ZANZAMAR
(Fort Wood), rate as lesser lights from their yards.

If riding assignments are any indication, Godolphin’s best prospect could be
multiple Brazilian Group 1 star XIN XU LIN (Wondertross), who lures Frankie
Dettori into the saddle. Last seen trumping older horses in the prestigious Gran
Premio Carlos Pellegrini (Arg-G1), Xin Xu Lin will be trying synthetic in his
first start for new connections. Also debuting for new ownership is multiple
stakes winner SWEET DUCKY (Pulpit), the runner-up to Dialed In (Mineshaft) in
the January 30 Holy Bull S. (G3), who was just purchased by Chechen President
Ramzan Kadyrov.

Three U.A.E. Derby entrants are exiting unplaced efforts in the Breeders’ Cup
Juvenile Turf (G2) — sixth-placer MASTER OF HOUNDS (Kingmambo), seventh UTLEY
(Smart Strike) and 10th MANTOBA (GB) (Noverre). Master of Hounds is one of a
pair from the Aidan O’Brien squad, the other being ALEXANDER POPE (Danehill
Dancer), and Japanese hopeful LASER BULLET (Brian’s Time) rounds out the field.

Trainer Rick Dutrow was disappointed that I WANT REVENGE (Stephen Got Even)
didn’t garner an invitation to the World Cup, but the one-time Kentucky Derby
(G1) favorite stands to pick up a consolation prize in the $1 million Godolphin
Mile (UAE-G2) on the Tapeta. Scratched on the morning of the 2009 Run for the
Roses with an ankle problem, he was sidelined for 15 months before joining
Dutrow. I Want Revenge was third in his comeback in the Suburban H. (G2), and
again in the Philip H. Iselin S. (G3), in his only starts in 2010. The
five-year-old returned from a six-month layoff with a sneakily-good fourth in
the February 5 Donn H. (G1), and ranks as the horse to beat here.

CONVEYANCE (Indian Charlie), 15th after setting the pace in the 2010 Kentucky
Derby, resurfaced in the March 3 Mahab al Shimaal. Making his first start for
Satish Seemar, he ran everyone else off their feet until being caught late by
Bankable. The stretch-out back to a mile makes sense for Conveyance, who
prevailed in last year’s San Rafael S. (G3) and Southwest S. (G3) at this
distance.

Godolphin’s SKYSURFERS (E Dubai), an inexperienced third in the 2010
Godolphin Mile, signaled his intent with a smart win in the February 10
Firebreak S. over World Cup-bound Musir (Redoute’s Choice) and IMBONGI (Russian
Revival). RILEYSKEEPINGFAITH (Hunting Lion), who landed the March 10 Zabeel Mile
(UAE-G2) on turf in his first try at the trip, reverts to Tapeta to give
Godolphin another shot at their eponymous race.

Group 2 winners PREMIO LOCO (Prized) and RED JAZZ (Johannesburg) ship in from
England to give the event further international flair.