A potential warm-up for the G1 Dubai Turf (formerly Dubai Duty Free), the G1 Jebel Hatta was won last year by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum's Vercingetorix (SAf) (Silvano {Ger}), who went on to take second in the main race, over six lengths off “Best Racehorse in the World” Just A Way (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}) and rounded off his 2014 campaign with a third to Designs On Rome (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) in Honk Kong's G1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup. The Mike de Kock trainee seemed as strong as ever on his seasonal bow in the G2 Al Rashidiya over the same course and distance and whatever beats him here will surely hold a live chance in the Dubai Turf.
Vercingetorix is one of six runners from the yard of Mike de Kock, and three owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa. Former Ballydoyle residents Johann Strauss (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Darwin (Big Brown) are yet to shine since transferring to Dubai, although the former was only beaten by the narrowest of margins by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum's Ertijaal (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}) in a Listed event at Abu Dhabi Feb. 15. Anaerobio (Arg) (Catcher In The Rye {Ire}) defeated Mshawish (Medaglia d'Oro) in the G2 Al Fahidi Fort last season but has failed to get his nose in front since.
The main obstacle to a double from Vercingetorix is likely to have name Hunter's Light (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). The 7-year-old has recently been posting his best efforts since winning the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 a couple of years ago and never gave his many takers much cause to worry in the listed Dubai Millennium S. last time out, where Mr Pommeroy (Fr) (Linngari {Ire}) ran a distant third and Calling Out (Fr) (Martaline {GB}) finished down the field. That performance took place over an extra 200 meters, however, and this is likely to prove a stiffer test.
Qatar Racing's G1 Woodbine Mile S. scorer Trade Storm (GB) (Trade Fair {GB}) will be an interesting one to follow as he returns to Meydan. The David Simcock trainee was fourth in this race a year ago and ran seventh behind Hong Kong star Able Friend (Aus) (Shamardal) in the G1 Hong Kong Mile Dec. 14 last time out.
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