There is another top class card at Meydan on Thursday with the Group 2 Balanchine Stakes at 5.35 seeing the second appearance of the season of Certify.
The classy filly was a leading two-year-old and went into the winter among the favourites for the 1000 Guineas. Unfortunately events off the track led to her being banned from racing as a three-year-old and she did not reappear until the Group 2 Cape Verdi over a mile last month.
All of the old sparkle seemed to be there as she L’Amour De Ma Vie, Pearl Of Africa and the very disappointing French filly Flotilla. There seems no reason why any of those should trouble Certify tomorrow, although Flotilla’s run was too bad to be true.
A more likely threat may come from David Simcock’s Moment In Time. The mare is a regular performer at Group 1 level and ran well in the E P Taylor at Woodbine in October. If she is fit enough to do herself justice, she could shake up the favourite.
There are some interesting names lining up for the handicap at 5.00 including the formerly smart juvenile Red Duke. He returned to winning ways last time out for Mick De Kock who also runs Specific Gravity and Alexandra Palace. The latter has only been raised 3lb for his recent victory and should run well. Solar Deity was noted staying on strongly that day and has an extra two furlongs to travel tomorrow.
The favourite is Cat O’Mountain who is unbeaten in five starts on the all-weather. He has to contend with a whopping 13lb and that looks prohibitive. Steeler was third in the 2012 Racing Post Trophy and has not been discredited in two Group 2 races here. Preference is just for Alexandra Palace at the current odds.
The Dubai Millennium Listed Stakes can go to Tasaday who finished runner-up in the Prix De L’Opera at Longchamp last season. She made no show behind Mujaarib, eventually finishing ninth, but is worth another chance on this surface. Dastarhon stayed on well in fourth in the same race and should also be competitive.
Alexandra Palace at 15-1 BetVictor (5.00)
Certify at 8-13 SkyBet (5.35)
Tasaday at 4-1 BetVictor (6.10)
