Sharp Azteca holds an edge in Meydan opener

Dubai - The first race of the Dubai World Cup day gets under way at 3.45pm on Saturday with 13 horses vying for the Group 2 Godolphin Mile

The first race of the Dubai World Cup day gets under way at 3.45pm today (Saturday) with 13 horses vying for the Group 2 Godolphin Mile.
Sharp Azteca is the favourite in this race although he sustained a freak injury in New Jersey. "The first 10 days we were constantly working on him," said trainer Jorge Navarro. "My blacksmith did an amazing job, and my vets and now he is the top-rated prospect for the Godolphin Mile," he added.
"It was so hard," Navarro said. "There were tears, but a month later we won two big races at Churchill Downs and I realised that God had other plans for me." Sharp Azteca could face stiff opposition from North America and Etijaah.
In the Dubai Kahalya Classic, last year's winner Mathmoon looks in good shape after his recent win in the 1400 Group 1 Liwa Oasis in Abu Dhabi. In new jockey Jim Crowley, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance's; six-year-old looks to be a promising prospect to open the Group 1 evening with a triumph.
Handassa and Faucon du Loup could give him a run for his money.
In the other Group 1 race, Harry Bentley is looking to Limato to provide him with a first Dubai World Cup night winner in the Al Quoz Sprint. Bentley has four times being crowned champion jockey in Doha but has drawn a blank in seven previous mounts under the dazzling Meydan lights. A victory in the Darley July Cup was the highlight of his season.
He could face opposition from Amazing Kids and Ertijaal.
In the Dubai Golden Shaheen, Reynaldothewizard looks a firm favourite after his hat-trick of wins in the Dubawi Stakes of the World Cup Carnival meet. But one cannot rule out Mind Your Biscuits. The four-year-old son of Posse is poised to win. The Malibu Stakes Group 1 winner, who also finished second to Drefong in the Breeders' Cup Sprint Group 1 last year, is one of the 14 runners in the race, along with Muarrab that could pose a threat to Reynaldothewizard.
Ribchester is one to beat the Dubai Turf. Jockey William Buick called him a 'horse star' who has just gone from strength to strength. It's very straight forward now," said Buick at the Meydan Grandstand on Thursday.
Buick and Richard Fahey's charge won both the 1400m Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot and the 1600m Group 1 Prix Jacques Le Marois in Deauville last summer.
Talking about the field for Saturday and Ribchester's chances, the 29-year-old Buick said: "It's a competitive field. Obviously Zarak was good in his trials over here and he has a pedigree to die for, so he's a horse we have to give plenty of respect to. He is probably a typical Dubai winner who will get better with age." Ribchester will be wary of Cougar Mountain and Zarak.
The last Group 1 race features the Dubai Sheema Classic and without doubt Postponed looks good to defend his title. He may have finished second in the City of Gold Cup at Meydan on Super Saturday where he looked rusty, according to trainer Roger Varian, but the change in him over the last three weeks has been very pleasing.
In a small field of seven runners it could be a close battle with Jack Hobbs and Seventh Heaven also likely to pose problems for him.
clareto@khaleejtimes.com