The first selection from us at Meydan on Friday comes in the Lincoln Aviator six furlong handicap on the dirt and the horse that takes the eye is Behavioral Bias at the bottom of the weights.
The eight year old, although not as young as he used to be still retains bundles of ability, showing that last time out when a good second of nine over seven furlongs at the track.
He is now 1lb lower for that run which sees him in a career low mark of 90 and that could see him go close once more.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17/12/22 | JEB | 5 | Fs | 9-0 | 4 |
| 25/02/22 | MEY | 6 | Fs | 8-10 | 2 |
| 18/02/22 | MEY | 7 | Fs | 8-11 | 2 |
| 23/12/21 | MEY | 6 | Fs | 9-8 | 5 |
| 06/03/21 | MEY | 6 | Fs | 9-0 | 7 |
Next up is the feature race of the afternoon with the Group Three Dubai Millennium Stakes over 1m2f and Royal Fleet is a solid bet.
The four year old son of Dubawi has been has been a revelation for the Godolphin yard, winning all three of his first starts in taking style, with his final victory of three coming in a value handicap at Newmarket.
Looking to make it 4/4 at York he had to settle for fifth in a competitive handicap, but bounced back on his final run of the season at Doncaster.
Given a break he returned at Meydan in January and made a superb seasonal debut when a good second in the Group Two Al Rashidiya.
Looking to build on that run last time out in the Group Two Singspiel he got done over the top by the superstar Lord Glitters and had to settle for second again.
This race looks an easier prospect and if handling another furlong looks the pick of the bunch.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29/10/22 | NMK | 10 | Sft | 9-9 | 2 |
| 08/10/22 | NMK | 9 | Gd | 9-5 | 3 |
| 21/09/22 | GOO | 10 | GS | 9-4 | 1 |
| 25/02/22 | MEY | 10 | Gd | 9-3 | 1 |
| 11/02/22 | MEY | 9 | Gd | 9-0 | 2 |
The penultimate event of the afternoon is the Jumeirah Derby over 1m2f and New Kingdom for Charlie Appleby looks the one to beat for team Godolphin.
The 800,000gns purchase is a well bred son of Dubawi that made his debut in a Maiden Stakes at Newbury over seven furlongs and learnt plenty for the experience finishing fifth of 14.
He used that to get off the mark next time out at Haydock, staying on well to win by a nose, with the extra furlong bringing him on again.
Kept for a crack at Meydan during our winter, he was last seen in the trial for this race over 9f finishing a narrow second to the progressive Island Falcon.
He is entitled to improve once more for that experience and looks a big player in this.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20/01/23 | MEY | 7 | Gd | 9-6 | 3 |
| 01/10/22 | ASC | 7 | GS | 9-4 | 15 |
| 08/09/22 | DON | 7 | GS | 9-9 | 1 |
| 19/08/22 | YOR | 8 | GF | 9-10 | 11 |
| 09/07/22 | NMK | 8 | GF | 9-9 | 3 |
The final selection of the afternoon comes in the Lincoln Navigator Handicap over a mile and the ex William Haggas trained horse Motawaajed looks interesting.
A very progressive horse last term for Haggas, winning on his second start at Wolverhampton in taking fashion, he then finished behind a nice type at Thirsk, before winning two on the bounce at Lingfield and Doncaster.
Quick ground is what he thrives off, but being bumped up to a mark of 97 in good races he struggled on his two final events in England and was moved over to the UAE.
Making his first start for the Ghadayer yard he was underwhelming in a big fielded handicap and now down 1lb has claims if getting back on track.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18/02/22 | MEY | 8 | Gd | 9-2 | 13 |
| 12/10/21 | LEI | 7 | GS | 9-5 | 6 |
| 09/09/21 | DON | 7 | GF | 9-6 | 4 |
| 14/08/21 | DON | 7 | GF | 9-2 | 1 |
| 21/07/21 | LIN | 7.5 | GF | 9-0 | 1 |
