Top jockeys go stride for stride in Meydan Masters tomorrow

The inaugural Meydan Masters meeting, the final fixture before the Dubai World Cup one on Saturday 27th March, takes place tomorrow and is a seven race, all Thoroughbred card, sponsored by Meydan. An international jockeys' challenge, the Meydan Masters features 12 of the world's top jockeys competing against one another in four handicaps with their mounts randomly selected.

The jockeys invited were selected on the basis of big races won around the world in 2009: e.g. Dubai World Cup winning jockey Aaron Gryder. Points are allocated as per finishing position with 75 for a win down to a solitary point for twelfth and the rider accruing the most points will be the winner.

Ryan Moore, Richard Hills, Frankie Dettori and Olivier Peslier appear to have strong hands dealt them by the draw and could be the jockeys to follow.

The night's feature, the Group 2 Zabeel Mile, over 1600m, is the final race but not part of the jockeys' challenge. The maximum field of 12 will face the starter with the Mike De Kock-trained Imbongi looking to hold serious claims in a race his trainer won last year with Archipenko. That winner was ridden by Kevin Shea who is on stable companion Hunting Tower this year with Christophe Soumillon on Imbongi and De Kock said: "He ran a great race when just beaten in the Al Fahidi Fort and seems to have come out of it well. He should go well."

Godolphin and Saeed bin Suroor rely on Rio De La Plata, a Group 1 winning juvenile but lightly-raced in the last two years. He showed signs that he retains at least most of his ability last season and his trainer said: "He has wintered well and is in good form. He has been off since October and will improve for the run but should go nicely."

Richard Hills rides Snaafy, trained by Musabah Al Muhairi and a course and distance handicap winner on his seasonal bow. Progressive enough last year to run in the Dubai World Cup, he will probably have a different target this year according to his jockey: "He won very well first time and seems as good on turf as he was on the dirt. The Dubai Duty Free is the likely target and this is an ideal stepping stone."
Summit Surge, trained by Luca Cumani, will appreciate the return to turf.

There are also two turf conditions races on the card and India's Oasis Star can go close in the 1200m one under Ryan Moore, with Godolphin's El Cambio, Ismail Mohammed's Dohasa and Rashed Bouresly's Star Crowned all likely dangers.

Godolphin's Frozen Power will be a popular Pick Seven choice for the Meydan Classic, for 3yos over 1600m, after his second in the UAE 2000 Guineas. The return to turf should not inconvenience him and stable companion Tahitian Warrior could be his main danger.