There is a strong supporting card for the Dubai World Cup this year and one horse that I am really looking forward to seeing is Long John. He takes his chance in the UAE Derby having already bolted up in the UAE 2000 Guineas recently.
He ran in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed last year in Australia but is now in the blue of Godolphin as he attempts to make a name for himself in Europe this season. If his first run for Charlie Appleby is anything to go by, he is certainly an exciting prospect for races of a mile and beyond.
The son of Street Cry stormed clear to slam Emirates Flyer by four and a half lengths. He won the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas over a mile in Australia but finished down the field in the Cox Plate on his final start. He has a reputation for being particularly lazy at home and Appleby was warned not to expect too much. Whatever his attitude is at home, there was no doubting the manner of his victory last time and I am in no hurry to oppose the gelding.
However, he does have a serious rival here in Aidan O’Brien’s Giovanni Boldini. He looked destined to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf when Ryan Moore drove him ahead at Santa Anita but he was foiled by a late dash from Godolphin’s Outstrip. The winner is very useful and ties in closely with Toormore who is among the 2000 Guineas favourites at Newmarket.
Toormore had Giovanni Boldini back in third place in the National Stakes at the Curragh earlier in the season but there is little doubt that he improved at the Breeders’ Cup. He holds some classic entries and must be feared despite being low on O’Brien’s batting order for the Newmarket Guineas.
Asmar trounced Emirates Flyer by six lengths in a Listed race here, breaking his maiden in the process. If Emirates Flyer gave his true running, Asmar must also be in with a shot. It isn’t often that you see a colt go from a median auction at Wolverhampton to taking on classic colts but that is the case with Jamie Osborne’s Toast Of New York. It is true that he has won his last two starts by an aggregate of 28 lengths but this still looks a huge step up in class.
Safety Check disappointed me last time and appeared not to get home while Sir John Hawkins and Jallota have had plenty of chances.
Long John UAE Derby at 9-4 Betfair SB
