Templegate’s Dubai World Cup tips as Sir Alex Ferguson guns for £2.7m win in Sheema Classic

8 months ago 46

THERE’S mega money on offer at Meydan on Saturday and Templegate is confident of bagging you some too with his big tips for Dubai World Cup night.

Our man has gone through in detail the three big races on the card, where Sir Alex Ferguson will look to land a £2.7million winner with his runner Spirit Dancer.

3.10 DUBAI TURF

MEASURED TIME couldn’t have been more impressive when winning the Group 1 Jebel Hatta over this course and distance in January.

He zipped along and William Buick merely had to shake the reins to score.

That was just the fifth time this son of Frankel had been on a racecourse so there should be more to come.

Lord North is respected trying to win this race for the third year running.

Frankie Dettori is reunited with the Gosdens for the ride and he warmed up with a solid second in the Winter Derby. He looks a good each-way price.

The Gosdens also run Nashwa who is respected. She is high-class around this trip and gets a handy 4lb allowance from the boys which could make the difference.

Do Deuce was impressive when winning a big race in Japan over 1m2f at Christmas. Fast turf ground suits him best and he looks a major danger.

Luxembourg was turned over at odds-on in Saudi last time after going close in the Hong Kong Cup.

His best form would give him a chance but he would prefer a slightly longer distance.

Voyage Bubble was beaten a neck in the Hong Kong Gold Cup and has strong form over this trip. He’s another with place prospects.

4.00 DUBAI SHEEMA CLASSIC

AUGUSTE RODIN showed his globe-trotting credentials when winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Santa Anita in November.

That was one of the rides of the year by Ryan Moore and he was on board when he won Derbies at Epsom and The Curragh along with the Irish Champion Stakes.

His only blip came on soft ground which doesn’t suit at Ascot.

It’s great to see him stay in training as a four-year-old and he can kick off with another win.

Emily Upjohn has few miles on the clock for a five-year-old and showed her best form fresh last season when taking the Coronation Cup at Epsom before going close in the Coral-Eclipse.

This trip is her best and she gets the mares’ allowance.

Liberty Island heads the betting with good reason after landing four Grade 1s in a row before running wonderhorse Equinox to four lengths in the Japan Cup.

She is another getting weight from the males which hardly seems fair.

Junko is fit from a spin on the all-weather at Chantilly and landed a couple of Group 1s last season over this trip. Andre Fabre’s runners are always respected.

4.35 DUBAI WORLD CUP

SENOR BUSCADOR showed his class when getting the better of Ushba Tesoro in the Saudi Cup last month.

That built on his excellent second in the Pegasus at Gulfstream again over this distance.

Given he’s a much bigger price than the defending champion this time, he looks a good call to make the frame at least.

Ushba Tesoro is the clear threat given how easily he won this race 12 months ago.

His form has been generally solid since and he’ll enjoy coming from behind off what is certain to be a breakneck pace.

Frankie has every chance on board Newgate for Bob Baffert who has won this race four times.

He’s been in excellent form at Santa Anita and won a Grade 1 over this distance last time. The two veterans know what it takes to win this.

Kabirkhan has been running well here in lesser company but has enough class to figure at this level.

He can give Pat Dobbs a good spin round and a place wouldn’t be a surprise.

Derma Sotogake didn’t fire in the Saudi Cup but was beaten just a length in the Breeders’ Cup Classic in November and has winning form over course and distance. He’s another right in the hunt.

Meanwhile, TOWER OF LONDON (12.40) can edge out Trawlerman in the Gold Cup.

He stayed strongly when scoring in Saudi last time and will be fitter for the outing. Trawlerman was poor in this race 12 months ago but was unbeaten in the UK last season and likes this trip.

St Leger winner Eldar Eldarov is another with every chance after a break.

Frankie Dettori can score in the Godolphin blue on STAR OF MYSTERY (1.15). She has been in fine form here this spring and the extra furlong will suit.