Timeform Dubai SmartPlays: Meydan, Saturday March 8

Stephen Molyneux
07 March 2014

It's Super Saturday at Meydan this week

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Stephen Molyneux gives his three best bets on Meydan's 'Super Saturday' card...

"Variety Club and African Story are fighting it out for the title of 'best bet on the card', the former well worth supporting at anything near 3.02/1, but that might well be wishful thinking..."

The opening thoroughbred race on the card at 13:10 is probably the weakest but there might still be a good betting opportunity in the form of Asmar who remains a maiden but can hopefully rectify that with the step up in trip very much in his favour. He cost connections plenty, and is a half-brother to Zagora, the winner of the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, so everything about him suggests he belongs in a higher grade than this, including his three starts to date when not seen to best effect over inadequate trips. He was again spared a hard race when fifth to Long John last time and whilst he has to reverse form with a couple from that contest, he is fully expected to improve again and can hopefully represent some value given the very fact he is still to win a race.

The Dubai City Of Gold at 15:35 looks wide open but it could be worth chancing the less-exalted Empoli who is entering just his second season of racing and progressed at a rate of knots right throughout his first. All of his best form came over this sort of trip, so the fact he got to within a neck of Tasaday over 10 furlongs on his return was highly encouraging, particularly as his reappearance was plan B having refused to enter the stalls the week before. He wasn't beaten far by Novellist last year, again very strong form, and could even improve again so he is worth supporting at what could be rewarding odds given his rather unfashionable profile.

Variety Club and African Story are fighting it out for the title of 'best bet on the card', the former well worth supporting at anything near 3.02/1, but that might well be wishful thinking and I will put up African Story as the final selection in the 16:10. He really should have beaten Prince Bishop on his return, left with an awful lot to do but almost quickening all the way through, firmly suggesting this sort of trip is well within his compass, and that he could even improve again granted a stiffer test. His record on tapeta is excellent and he looks the main Godolphin hope at the stage for the Dubai World Cup itself, in which case he really should be winning this.

Timeform Dubai SmartPlays
All at Meydan

Back Asmar win and place in the 13:10
Back Empoli win and place in the 15:35
Back African Story to win the 16:10