The Dubai Sheema Classic lineup dominated by St Nicholas Abbey and Cirrus Des Aigles on 31st March at Meydan
The Group 1, US $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic Presented by Longines over a mile and four furlongs is to be staged at Meydan on 31st March. The race with such a lucrative purse has attracted a lineup of ten runners. The feature on the lineup
when it comes to some best middle distance horses are Cirrus Des Aigles, St Nicholas Abbey and Songcraft.
Trainer A P O’Brien has got a highly fair amount of ground covered up with Treasure Beach and St Nicholas Abbey but the latter seemingly has more of the charm that ensures success tonight.
Songcraft, Singspiel’s four-year-old bay gelding out of mare Baya, has enjoyed an impeccable record through the first four starts of the career by remaining unscratched in all the ventures. It was only the most recent race that dented the enviable record
with a third position.
The last three races that Songcraft was a part of were at Meydan, two culminating into victories and the last one being lost.
The jockey Silvestre de Sousa commented, “This is a big race with a lot of good horses. Songcraft is a nice horse and has done everything right so far. He was beaten last time but we are here for another shot.”
For the five-year-old St Nicholas Abbey, this race marks as the seasonal debut since he last bagged the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf on 5th November at Churchill Downs. There can be no better start than claiming the Grade 1 Dubai Sheema Classic
which will add to his already numerous Grade 1 victories.
"It would mean a lot for St Nicholas Abbey to win after the death (on Thursday) of his sire Montjeu. The lads who traveled with the horses are very pleased with their condition," Tom Magnier said. "Since I got here everyone has been telling me they horses
look fantastic, and I agreed when I saw them this morning.”
Taking away the Grade 1 Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot over a mile and two furlongs on 15th October was Mme C Barande-Barbe trained Cirrus Des Aigles. He has just raced once during the new season and that too while been entered as the favourite
but ended up scoring second.
He falls in the category of the honourable Grade 1 winners and has what it takes to get the race going right his way.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
Tags: