17:50 Meydan

Saturday 5 April 2025

All13:3514:1014:4515:2016:0016:4017:1517:5018:30

Race 8 - Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1) - Turf

Off time: 17:50 | Winning time: 2m 27.05s

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(7)

Calif^v⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: A de Vries| T: F Nass| OR: 117

66/1

Smart gelding. 16/1, first run since leaving C. & Y. Lerner when creditable 1¾ lengths second of 10 to Shin Emperor in Group 2 Neom Turf Cup at King Abdulaziz (10.4f, good to firm) 42 days ago. Likely to find a few too strong.

Form: 11436-2

(6)

Durezza¹³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: C Soumillon| T: T Ozeki

22/1

Very smart horse. Good neck second of 14 to Do Deuce in Japan Cup at Tokyo (11.9f, good to firm). Off 132 days. Not taken lightly.

Form: 11/2052-

(9)

Giavellotto¹¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: M Botti| OR: 119| D

11/2

Very smart horse. Three wins from 6 runs last year. Career best when winning 13-runner Hong Kong Vase () at Sha Tin (11.9f, good) by 2½ lengths from Dubai Honour, well on top finish. Off 118 days. Should be in the mix.

Form: 351131-

(4)

Rebel's Romance⁴⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 123| CD

5/2

High-class gelding (7-time Group/Grade1 winner). Won this last year and readily landed odds in H. H. The Amir Trophy at Al Uqda (11.4f, good) 48 days ago. Should make another bold bid.

Form: 11311-1

(2)

Calandagan¹⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: M Barzalona| T: F Graffard| OR: 125| BF| D

5/4

High-class gelding. Three wins from 6 runs last year. 6/4, respectable ½-length second of 11 to Anmaat in Champion Stakes at Ascot (10f, soft). Off 168 days. Tops the shortlist.

Form: 211122-

(3)

Danon Decile^t1⁶⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: K Tosaki| T: S Yasuda| D

14/1

Very smart colt. Two wins from 4 runs last year, including Japan Derby. Back to best when winning 18-runner Gr 2 at Nakayama (10.9f, good to firm) 69 days ago by ¾ length from Matenro Leo. Remains with potential.

Form: 4/1163-1

(5)

Deira Mile^b⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 114

66/1

Smart colt. 9/2, below form sixth of 11 in minor event at King Abdulaziz (14.9f, good to firm) 42 days ago, slowly away. Difficult ask.

Form: 4/1424-6

(1)

Shin Emperor⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Ryusei Sakai| T: Y Yahagi| OR: 119

8/1

Very smart colt. Career best when winning 10-runner Group 2 Neom Turf Cup (5/6) at King Abdulaziz (10.4f, good to firm) 42 days ago by 1¾ lengths from Calif. Needs considering.

Form: 2/2330-1

(8)

Cervinia⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: C P Lemaire| T: T Kimura| BF| D

40/1

Smart filly. Two wins from 4 runs last year. Latest win at Kyoto in October. 5½ lengths ninth of 12 to Yoho Lake in Group 2 Kyoto Kinen at Kyoto (10.9f, good) 48 days ago. Bit to find with some of these.

Form: 1/0114-9

Forecasts

Calandagan (5/4), Rebel's Romance (5/2), Giavellotto (11/2), Shin Emperor (8/1), Danon Decile (14/1), Durezza (22/1), Cervinia (40/1), Deira Mile (66/1), Calif (66/1)

CALANDAGAN was one of the leading 3-y-os in Europe last season and this looks a good opportunity for him to win a first Group 1. Last year's winner Rebel's Romance is bidding for an eighth win at the highest level and is the obvious threat, with Japanese colt Shin Emperor another to consider.