A small but select field of seven runners tog out for the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic as Postponed (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) bids to follow up on a his victory in last year's renewal. This time 12 months ago Roger Varian's top class 6-year-old had come smoothly through his prep race in the G2 Dubai City Of Gold, something that wasn't replicated this time around when he got beaten into second by the re-opposing Prize Money (GB) (Authorized {Ire}) on Super Saturday. That Saeed Bin Suroor trained gelding benefitted from a fine ride from Adrie De Vries and it will be a surprise if Postponed isn't a bit sharper for the experience and also if he doesn't turn the tables on Godolphin's progressive 4-year-old. “I could not be happier with the Postponed's condition,” said Roger Varian. “He looks hard-fit, his coat is gleaming and he appears to have thrived for having some sun on his back. He's in just the place we want him.”
Bin Suroor's runner should not be underestimated however and the trainer commented, “Prize Money is improving all the time and won nicely last time. A mile and a half is his best trip, although this is another tough contest. If he can get into a nice position in the race, I hope that he can run well again.” Whether Postponed can also deal with the rest of the field is another debate. He has been beaten in his last two starts and he will have to be at his best to account for some top class middle distance runners.
Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) has danced nearly every dance at this stage and he was prolific in 2016, winning the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth S. and the GI Breeders' Cup Turf. He also finished second in the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and culminated the season by going down only to Satono Crown (Jpn) (Marju {Ire}) in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin in December. He is a model of consistency and forms a strong Ballydoyle challenge along with his Classic winning stable-mate Seventh Heaven (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). She ended last season when doing her best work at the finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf having previously shown her class to win both the G1 Darley Irish Oaks and G1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks. Further intrigue in this tight contest is added with the re-appearance of the lightly raced Jack Hobbs (GB) (Halling). The 2015 G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby winner had a truncated campaign in 2016, pulling up with a pelvic injury on his seasonal debut in April before running a fine race after a six month absence when finishing third to Almanzor (Fr) (Wotton Bassett {GB}) in the G1 QIPCO Champion S. at Ascot in October. John Gosden appears to have had a clearer run with 5-year-old this time around and he commented, “We are happy with him. He seems in good order right now, but we are perfectly aware we are third or fourth in the ratings. He needs to improve and I hope he can – it is a small, but elite field.”
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