Dubai Daily: UAE 2000 Guineas, Thursday, Meydan 15:45

Dubai / Timeform / 09 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Mickael Barzalona rides Godolphin's Kinglet

"Kinglet won a couple of times last year and really caught the eye on reappearance when staying on strongly into second behind Dark Matter..."

The first three home in the trial - Dark Matter, Kinglet and Rassam - meet again in the main event, the Group 3 UAE 2000 Guineas. Timeform assess the field...

Dark Matter was a 4-time winner in Singapore last year, and has won both his outings at Meydan this season, including a handicap off a mark of 110 last time. Should stay this far and can go well again.

Sand Stamp made a promising debut and didn't need to build on that when winning his maiden next time. Not disgraced behind Factory Time last week but this is tougher and likely to come up short.

Burano was steadily progressive at 2 yrs without getting his head in front, best effort on final start when second to Anjaz at Doncaster. Too much to do over inadequate trip last week but this tougher.

Noor Zabeel won a maiden at York last year for Mick Channon before running with credit in minor and listed company. Has already shown he stays this far but faces a stiff enough task on first start for new yard.

Kinglet won a couple of times last year and really caught the eye on reappearance when staying on strongly into second behind Dark Matter. Realistic claims of reversing form over this longer trip.

Mickdaam was trained by Richard Fahey at 2 yrs, winning maiden at York on final outing. Built on that when sixth behind Dark Matter on debut for this yard but more needed if he is to win this.

Mehdi was the winner of a valuable sales race at Newmarket last year and placed in similar event subsequently. Not disgraced behind Dark Matter on reappearance but will do well to reverse form.

Surfer was placed on all bar one of his starts last year, leaving Mahmood Al Zarooni prior to final outing. Again gave his running when fifth to Dark Matter last time and entitled to be involved.

Rassam was hugely impressive on debut when winning at Kempton and built on that despite only finishing third behind Dark Matter last time. Arguably too keen that day and Dettori opts to ride him again.

Timeform 1-2-3
1. Kinglet
2. Rassam
3. Dark Matter

Timeform Verdict: Dark Matter is the pick on form based on his win in a handicap off a mark of 110 last time but he didn't have much to spare when beating several of these prior to that and he is passed over in favour of Kinglet who forfeited plenty of ground that day and did very well to finish so close. Rassam could also reverse form having been too keen on what was just his second start.

Visit timeform.com to download a race card for Thursday's meeting at Meydan.