Dubai Preview: Glittering Lord set for more Dubai glory

For the remainder of the Dubai racing season, which culminates in the lucrative Dubai World Cup (G1) program on March 26, Alastair Bull will take a weekly look at betting opportunities with TwinSpires in some of the big Dubai races.

As part of the Dubai previews, he will also suggest a bonus play each week on the popular South African racing circuit.

Hardy veteran #6 Lord Glitters looks extremely hard to topple in Friday’s Al Rashidiya (G2) over 1800 meters (about 1 1/8 miles) on the Meydan turf.

Lord Glitters is now a nine-year-old, but the 2019 Queen Anne Stakes (G1) winner seems as good as ever, judging by his last-to-first victory over longtime rival Barney Roy in the $715,000 Bahrain International Trophy (G3) over 2000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) on Nov. 19.

The $2.85 million earner has shone in Dubai previously. Twelve months ago, he won the Singspiel Stakes (G2) before finishing third in the Al Rashidiya (formerly held in February, swapping spots with the Singspiel this year). He then took out the Jebel Hatta (G1), and all three races were held over 1800 meters.

Lord Glitters faces a weaker field here than he did in Bahrain, and at set weights, he should win barring significant improvement from one of his rivals. He is worth taking as a key in exotics here.

As always in Dubai, Godolphin has numerous runners. Charlie Appleby provides a trio (#1 Art Du Val, #9 Highland Avenue, and #11 Royal Fleet), while Saeed bin Suroor has two (#2 Bedouin’s Story and #4 Desert Fire).

Art Du Val is their highest-rated runner, and the appointment of Godolphin’s number one rider William Buick suggests he is their leading chance. He hasn’t run since last year’s Dubai carnival, finishing behind Lord Glitters in the Singspiel and the Jebel Hatta.

Highland Avenue, who showed potential when finishing fourth at Group 2 level in France behind subsequent Hong Kong Cup (G1) fourth-place finisher Dubai Honour, should also be included.

The two most interesting challengers outside the Godolphin team are #5 Kick On and #10 Partenit. Kick On has been one of the leading horses in Scandinavia for the past two years, winning twice at Group 3 level and showing a liking for 1800m.

Partenit has raced just twice, but he was only just beaten in the Prix Daphnis (G3) at Deauville Aug. 21 at his second start. He looks to have further improvement and may be the biggest danger to Lord Glitters.

BEST PLAY

Meydan, Jan. 21, Race 4, Al Rashidiya Stakes (G2)

• $10 win/$30 show: #6 Lord Glitters ($40)
• $1 trifecta key: 6 with 1,2,5,9,10,11 ($30)

BONUS PLAY – SOUTH AFRICA

Turffontein, Jan.22, Race 7, Sea Cottage Stakes (G3), 1800m (abt. 1 1/8 miles)

$10 win/$30 show: #1 Aragosta: Ran strongly to take third in the Dingaans (G2) on the same track last start and faces weaker opposition here.