AL Maktoum Challenge R 3 (Group 1)
March 9, 2013
Super Saturday has arrived and with it comes a pair of Group 1’s. We’ll concentrate on the third round of the challenge which sees the return of last years World Cup winner Monterosso. Since winning last years crown he has only seen the racecourse once when going down eighth of nine beaten 33 L in the Eclipse. Will he need the run today to sharpen him up for the big one in three weeks time?
Opposing him is the Saeed Bin Surror pair Hunter’s Light and Prince Bishop. Hunter’s Light showed himself in good health in Round 2 of the challenge when easily accounting for Surfer by 3 1/2 L building on the form that saw him become an Italian Group 1 last November. In third another 1/4 L behind was Prince Bishop (also third in this last year) who was having his first run since last years World Cup.
Godolphin also run Kassiano and Mendip. For Kassiano a three time winner at the Carnival already this is a big step up in class however he is progressive. Mendip won Round 2 of the Challenge last year and his run in this years Round 2 was his first since last years World Cup run.
Mike De Kock runs the two ex Aidan O’Brien colts Daddy Long Legs and Treasure Beach. Daddy Long Legs showed his liking for the Tapeta surface winning the UAE Derby last year but his form has since long petered out. A similar comment can be added to Treasure Beach, second at Epsom in the 2011 Derby and winner of the Irish equivalent at the Curragh. There was a glimmer of hope in the Joe Hirsh Classic at Belmont last year when second to Point Of Entry but in the Breeders Cup Turf he failed to maintain the form running down the field.
Little Mike the winner of the Breeders Cup Turf makes his debut on Tapeta. He’s been very successfully campaigned on turf in his native USA being a triple Group 1 winner. The Arlington Million and Woodford Reserve being the other two. Will he cope the surface and transfer that turf form?
Japan’s Trailblazer reopposes having run fourth to Little Mike at Santa Anita. He then finished down the field in the Arima Kinen back home.
The heat rises through the day at Meyden and the track riding slick in the morning can turn sticky by night. Some horses cope well with it, others don’t. If Little Mike is in the latter bracket then his class will win out over the locals.
Recommendation : Little Mike 5/1 win
