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Sheema Classic Could Produce a Thriller

DUBAI - The $5million 2010 Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic looks the most open renewal ever of the 2410m turf feature with a quality maximum field of 16 declared.

It looks highly significant that Frankie Dettori has elected to ride Cavalryman of the Saeed bin Suroor-trained runners given that he won the Super Thursday prep race, the Group 2 Dubai City of Gold, on stable companion Campanologist.

Meanwhile, Dettori and Cavalryman were beaten in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round III, over 2000m on the All Weather. Of Cavalryman, Dettori said: “He did not show his best on Super Thursday but that was on Tapeta and over a trip probably short of his best. He was not beaten far though and these conditions should really suit him.”

Ted Durcan comes in for the ride on Campanologist and is clearly looking forward to the opportunity: “He won well on Super Thursday and should have come on for that run. He is tough and honest and bound to run his usual solid race. Whether that will be good enough we will find out on Saturday but he has to have a chance.”

Pan River, from Turkey, was closing fast on Campanologist in that race to snatch second from the Mike De Kock-trained Golden Sword close home. The Turkish raider merits respect as does de Kock’s charge and he said: “I know we have to reverse form with those two but we have come on from that run and I expect a big effort.”

Pompeyano and Anmar were fourth and fifth respectively, with Quijano in seventh but the trio need to step up markedly to win this. Of the trio, Germany’s Quijano, contesting the race for a fourth time, makes most appeal.

The Mick Channon-trained Youmzain is also running in the race for the fourth time and jockey Kieren Fallon sounds quite bullish: “He worked very well the other day and loves it in Dubai. His form is as good as any in the race and, with luck, he will go close.”

He is not the only UK-trained Group 1 winner in the field with last year’s runner-up Spanish Moon, trained by Sir Michael Stoute one of several. He was beaten in a photo-finish last year by Ahmed Ajtebi on Eastern Anthem. That pair are back with the horse having his first start for new trainer Mahmoud Al Zarooni. Ajtebi said: “Obviously he is a horse I really like and has plenty of class. He has been off a while though and may just need the run.”

He has actually been off since September when he found the Mark Johnston-trained Jukebox Jury a nose too good. That was a Group 1 contest, as were the Pretty Polly and Yorkshire Oaks, both won by Dar Re Mi. Trained by John Gosden, she carries the colours of Lord Lloyd-Webber.

American challenger Presious Passion is guaranteed to try and make all and, if able to slip the field, could do so. Japan’s Buena Vista is another filly who has to be feared, as does Mourilyan. Trained by Herman Brown, he has been kept fresh for the big night and will be ridden by Kevin Shea who said: “He is a proper horse and is working well. The faster they go the better as he certainly stays.” All in all, it could be the race of the night.