Group 1; 6.45pm; $2 million; 1,200m; sponsored by Gulf News
Rich Tapestry
Rich Tapestry is a leading contender for the Golden Shaheen, a race he was runner-up in two years ago when only the Australian sprinter Sterling City got the better of this Hong Kong-based speedster. He could manage only third behind Muarrab when prepping for World Cup night in the Mahab Al Shimaal on Super Saturday, though that was clearly an off day for Rich Tapestry.
The eight-year-old gelding had already served a warning to his Golden Shaheen rivals when bossing the field for a solid win in the Al Shindagha Sprint in February. His task that day may have been made easier when Marking stumbled right out of the contest at the start, but Rich Tapestry was by far the best of those who made it to the wire and he proved that he is still a force to be reckoned with at the top level. Confidently ridden by Frenchman Gérald Mossé, he led all the way and never looked in any danger at the finish.
He beat Muarrab readily by 1½ lengths. Reynaldothewizard, who had won so well on his previous outing, filled third spot, beaten another two lengths.
Al Shindagha was Rich Tapestry’s first run back since a below par effort in the Hong Kong Sprint on turf at Sha Tin in December. This veteran has plenty of international experience, having also won the valuable Santa Anita Sprint Championship in California back in 2014. He is a game, tough and battle-hardened sprinter, whose high cruising speed is a strong asset.
Muarrab
Up to Super Saturday, this son of Oasis Dream was considered a notch below the very top of the sprint division. Muarrab changed all that as he enjoyed a breathtaking win in the Mahab Al Shimaal three weeks before World Cup night.
His easy success, while clocking the excellent time of 1.10.2 for the 1,200 metres, definitely gave him elite status.
If he runs like that again, Muarrab will be in the first three in the Golden Shaheen. He may well win the big race. He met Rich Tapestry for a second time this season on Super Saturday, having been put readily in his place by the Hong Kong sprinter in February.
This time, the tables were turned. Muarrab broke fast from the stalls and went to the lead. Rich Tapestry, a heavy favourite, shadowed him but when Muarrab kicked on as they entered the home straight, Rich Tapestry was unable to do the same. Muarrab and Paul Hanagan soon put the race to bed. By the time they passed the winning post, the gap back to second best was an impressive 5¼ lengths. You could take nothing away from Muarrab. He was just super on the day.
Confrontation
Confrontation, who had performed well when runner-up to such high-class contestants as Tonalist and Liam’s Map in the US last year, improved his rating by winning the Firebreak Stakes over the Godolphin Mile trip at Meydan in early February.
He had been out of action for almost seven months, but showed no signs of being rusty as he came with a late surge to take the race by 2 lengths from next time out winner One Man Band, who just pipped Watershed for second.
Le Bernardin, who was coming off a win in the first round of the Al Maktoum Challenge, came home in fourth place, while the heavy favourite Mubtaahij had to settle for fifth. The form looked very solid indeed.
It was Confrontation’s sixth success from 15 starts. He has also finished second on six occasions, giving him a remarkable 80 per cent top two strike rate. How can we not like a runner like this?
X Y Jet
This American speed merchant looks the one to beat in the Golden Shaheen. A sprinter who missed much of 2015 due to injury, he was explosive at Gulfstream Park in Florida this winter and looks right for this race.
He came back from a near seven-month break to win at Monmouth Park last September, then shipped south and gained an easy win at Gulfstream in November, before taking a step up in class in the Mr Prospector Handicap at the same venue in December. He won impressively by over 9 lengths from Grande Shores.
X Y Jet stopped the clocks in 1.08.4, just a couple of lengths slower than the track record — and doing so with ease. His next win, in the Sunshine Millions Sprint four weeks later, was almost as fast and visually just as impressive. Again he quickened right away from his rivals coming into the straight, powering away from them to beat Wildcat Red by 4¼ lengths. X Y Jet is one who goes straight to the lead and keeps on running faster than the rest all the way to the winning post. His prep race, in the Gulfstream Park Sprint on February 27, was another solid win. He comes here in top form.
X Y Jet cruises home in the Sunshine Millions Sprint at Gulfstream Park in Florida
Image Credit: Picture courtesy of: Coglianese/Gulfstream Park
