Preview: Volcanic Cup, Spanish Mission, Subjectivist Headline The 9th Running Of The Gr.2 Dubai Gold Cup

Here we review this year’s field which is headlined by the likes of Mekong, Volcanic Sky :

• AWAY HE GOES (IRE): The Khalifa Saeed Sulaiman has been racing well but disappointed in his last performance in the Gr.3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy.

 

• FOR THE TOP (ARG): The Bin Ghadayer trained 5 YO Equal Stripes’ entire has disappointed both in Riyadh and at Meydan. He may be outclassed for this field.

 

• GLOBAL HEAT (IRE): The Saeed bin Suroor trained gelding was runner up behind Volcanic Sky by a head in the Gr.3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy in February. The Godolphin owned 5YO by Toronado will be steered by no less than top jockey Frankie Dettori and is one of the top prospects for this race.

 

• MEKONG (GB): The Jamie Osbourne trained stable star was 5th at Wolverhampton in January and then completely disappointing in Riyadh when the son of Frankel finished 10th of 13 over 3000m. Is unlikely to surprise us in this company.

 

• RED VERDON (USA): Trained by Ed Dunlop, the useful gelding finished a respectable 4th of 13 at Riyadh last month. The impeccably bred son of Lemon Drop Kid can’t be ruled out. Could steal the show Red Verdon is owned by Ronnie Arculli, the Hong Kong-based owner of the three-time Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux, who tragically died after suffering a leg injury in the 2015 Melbourne Cup.

 

• ROYAL MARINE (IRE): The Godlphin owned is Bin Suroors’s third chance at winning the Gold Cup. Finished 4^th with Lord Glitters astern. The gelding could have been better attempting something easier.

 

• SECRET ADVISOR (FR): Charlie Appleby’s French-bred pupil finished third behind Gifts Of Gold on the Saudi Cup under card. The in-form gelding looks much improved and could be a real challenger.

 

• SPANISH MISSION (USA): The Andrew Balding trained entire, finished second behind Gifts Of Gold, who claimed an upset victory in the US$2.5-million 3000 metre Red Sea Turf Handicap last month. The Team Valor owned 5YO has a very strong chance at victory in this 3000m spectacle.

 

• VOLCANIC SKY (GB): The Saeed bin Suroor trained Godolphin gelding comes back from a 30-day break after an impressive win in his last start. The 6YO son of Street Cry could have the right form to just take this victory.

 

• WALDERBE (GER): The 5YO son of Maxios finished second in his last start at Chantilly on the AW track, long-neck behind Richemont. The entire should do well on his opening debut.

 

• SUBJECTIVIST (GB): The Gr.1 Prix Royal Oak victor was originally poined towards the Saudi Gold Cup. Interesting Mark Johnson had commented at the time, “I was a bit perplexed when I saw the entries that our 111-rated last time out Group 1 winner isn't guaranteed a run and there are some pretty out of form horses above him in the weights,” The 4YO son of Teofilo has a strong chance of taking home the gold.