#14 WEALD offers an interesting proposition as a longshot chance.  While his performances over the turf courses at Nad Al Sheba and Abu Dhabi were poor, he flourished when over the dirt at Jebel Ali, defeating #9 MONTE ALTO by 1.25 lengths in his first start over the surface.  If you can bring yourself to ignore some otherwise horrific performances on local turf and focus on the dirt win, which took place over Friday’s trip of 1,950 meters, Weald could be the play. 

The hot connections of Dhruba Selvaratnam and William Buick, winners of three consecutive races last meeting at Jebel Ali, settle in with #8 MEERISS, who offers a win and a second in two starts this season.  Going third off the layoff, Meeriss could pop a big one over the track he enjoys so much.  Buick was aboard for his early season win and climbs back for Friday’s race, the richest of the season to date. 

Doug Watson’s #2 DYNAMIC SAINT was a winner at the 2009 DIRC when running third off the layoff and he scored at a juicy price that day.  Down to a 100 rating following two even performances, similar to his early 2009 form, Dynamic Saint could show his best effort with a run on Friday. 

Click HERE to access the form guide for Friday’s races.

The win at Lingfield, over 2000 meters, was over older rivals and he defeated Carnival alum Bound By Honour in a strong effort for a young horse.  Jockey Ted Durcan sported the royal Godolphin blue on that day and was wide throughout the event, especially on the corner for home.  Bound By Honour franked the form when he won back in another class two handicap at Lingfield, 14 days after his defeat to Black Eagle.   This is a fast improving colt who races locally for Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.  Whether or not he takes to the natural dirt at Jebel Ali, I suspect we’ll be hearing more from Black Eagle.   

Carnival winner #3 Dynamic Saint is amongst the field on Friday, making his second start of the season for Doug Watson.  The son of Sweetsouthernsaint pulled off one of the more incredible efforts of the 2009 Carnival when appearing hopelessly beaten turning for home, fading in mid-pack.  Yet, jockey Ryan Moore picked up the rains and Dynamic Saint kicked on in an incredible reversal.  He comes on for the run and should run with better precision than he did when fifth at Jebel Ali on 20 November. 

Trainer Mubarak bin Shafya sends his third starter of the season in #1 Muy Ponderado, a South American native who failed to do much running in two spring starts.  Both Gladiatorus and Eastern Anthem provided bin Shafya with back-to-back $5 million race wins on Dubai World Cup night. 

Friday’s fifth race at Jebel Ali, a handicap over 1,600 meters, offers a handful of Carnival familiars, including Roman’s Run, a winner over 1,700 meters on 6 February and Kal Barg, second to Alexandros (who was later third in the Dubai Duty Free – G1), on 22 January.  Naseehah, another Godolphin runner now sporting the colors of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, part of a four horse entry, is a 3-year-old colt with a win and a second from two lifetime starts.  He looks to improve off a rating of 88 for bin Huzaim in yet another well-matched field.

Click HERE for Friday’s advance form guide.

The racing at Jebel Ali is getting more competitive as we get closer to the 2010 Dubai International Racing Carnival and the racing unveiling of Meydan.  Don’t forget to register to receive the DubaiRaceNight.com Newsletter by entering your name and e-mail address in the box in the right toolbar.  You will have first access to the exclusive “Dubai Racing Comprehensive” when it is released in January.