He (Sole Power) made a somewhat surprising return to action this year; normally badly in need of his seasonal debut, this time he was third, in a three-way photo, on Super Saturday.
His trainer, Ed Lynam, said: “That was a massive run on Super Saturday. He is nine now, so it was a big effort first time.
“Hopefully, as he has in the past, he can build on that. In which case, he will be thereabouts on Saturday.”
The absence of Solow seemingly leaves the 1800m Dubai Turf at the mercy of Godolphin’s Tryster. Trained by Charlie Appleby, Tryster has displayed an amazing turn of foot on both his UAE outings.
A repeat of either effort would see him successful on Saturday and Appleby said: “He was really good on the all-weather in England in the first part of last year and has proved himself on turf at Meydan this year.
“Very few horses can quicken like he does and he must have a big chance on Saturday.”
Another race robbed of one of its stars is the UAE Derby and in the absence of UAE 2000 Guineas and Super Saturday’s Al Bastakiya winner, Market Rally, it is hard to see past Polar River.
Already winner of the UAE 1000 Guineas and Oaks, the Doug Watson-trained Polar River is yet to taste defeat after four career starts and looks destined to become the second filly to win the UAE Derby.
Watson said: “She has been amazing and won the UAE Oaks after a troubled preparation. Things have gone smoothly since and, hopefully, she is the one to beat.”
Godolphin and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin have certainly surprised a few and run Marking in the Godolphin Mile and Confrontation in the Golden Shaheen.
Pretty much everyone expected the McLaughlin horses to contest the alternative races, so the seemingly late change of target could point to Marking having a massive chance in the Godolphin Mile.
