Can superstar filly Almond Eye stamp her class over Dubai Turf field?

3.20 Meydan
Dubai Turf (Group 1) | 1m1f | Turf | 3yo+ | RTV

Is Almond Eye on her way to becoming an all-time great?

This year's Dubai Turf is considered the race of the meeting by many, such is the intrigue and fanfare surrounding Almond Eye, the Japanese Fillies' Triple Crown winner who has looked an extraordinary talent in winning six of her seven starts.

The flying filly had no problem dishing out a beating to the boys in the Japan Cup, shattering the track record with a blistering display, and she is expected to pick up where she left off on her first start outside Japan.

Trainer Sakae Kunieda believes the lightly raced four-year-old – whose ultimate target is to become the first Japanese winner of the Arc – has yet to show everything she has to offer. He said: "Even I don’t know where her limit is yet. She is a really special filly. She has relaxed into her Dubai surroundings very well."

Almond Eye had the option of running in the 1m4f Sheema Classic, over the same distance as the Japan Cup, but connections opted to drop her in trip to nine furlongs.

Rider Christophe Lemaire said: "I have no fears over the trip. She's won over a mile, ten furlongs and a mile and a half. Every time she has shown the same acceleration and class. I think nine furlongs will be a good trip for her, especially for a first run this year as she may be a little bit fresh."

Have the other Japanese challengers been overlooked?

The Japanese have a notable recent record in the Dubai Turf, winning three of the last five renewals, while last year they were responsible for the second, third and fourth.

Almond Eye, voted the Japan Racing Assocation's Horse of the Year for 2018, is undoubtedly the leading hope, but Vivlos and Deirdre should not be underestimated.

Vivlos won this race in 2017 and was runner-up last year, while Deirdre was third 12 months ago and has since posted solid efforts.

Has a gelding operation been key for Dream Castle?

Dream Castle had a huge reputation when he burst on to the scene in 2017 and he was by no means disgraced when finishing fifth to Churchill, beaten just three and a quarter lengths, in the 2,000 Guineas.

His career temporarily stalled after that, but since undergoing a gelding operation and being partnered with Christophe Soumillon he has started to thrive, winning all three starts during this year's carnival.

He quickened up nicely to register a breakthrough Group 1 success in the Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday and, according to trainer Saeed Bin Suroor, compares favourably to Benbatl, who won the Dubai Turf last year.

Bin Suroor said: "Dream Castle has really thrived over nine furlongs this year and is unbeaten in three starts at Meydan, including a very good win in the Jebel Hatta on his latest appearance. He worked well on Saturday and is in good form.

"This is a very tough race, but Dream Castle has improved with each run this year and I think he is nearly at the same level as Benbatl, who won this race for us 12 months ago."

Will I Can Fly continue to improve?

I Can Fly produced nothing like her best in the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks last season but she came good towards the end of the campaign, producing a powerful late charge to win a Group 2 on Irish Champions Weekend before narrowly failing to overhaul Roaring Lion in the QEII on Champions Day.

I Can Fly (left) stormed home to finish second in the QEIICredit: Mark Cranham

This slight step up in trip looks ideal, such is the strength with which she finished at Leopardstown and Ascot, and she created a good impression on her return at Dundalk, even taking the modest opposition into account.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien said: "She showed some very good form last year and won nicely at Dundalk a few weeks ago. She's in good form.

What they say

David O'Meara, trainer of Lord Glitters
He's a very good horse and has some top-level form from last year. Almond Eye looks really good, and it's such a competitive race, but if Lord Glitters turns up fit and well I'd be hopeful he could run into a place.

Oisin Murphy, rider of Century Dream
He’s a tough, genuine horse, and his work has been very good. The step up in trip I think will benefit him.

John Gosden, trainer of Without Parole
He’s been breezing at home and had a racecourse workout at Chelmsford just under a fortnight ago. It was never the plan for him to have a run – he runs well fresh. He’s taken the journey well and I’m very pleased with him.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Wootton
He's had two starts here and I was pleased with him both times –stepping up in trip [from a mile] suited him last time. We've all got Almond Eye to beat but a repeat performance of his last start will hopefully see him finish placed.

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