MEDICEAN MAN is remarkably well handicapped and should follow up last week's victory. Jeremy Gask's charge was landing his ninth victory on Turf that day and can run on today's Tapeta surface from 7lb lower, though prospective punters should know that he makes his debut on the surface. However, none of his rivals have won on Tapeta either, though US-import Zee Bros won on Dirt at Pimlico for Bob Baffert last year and French raider Abu Sidra has won on Chantilly's Polytrack. The latter has a very good record and should win races here while Merhee, Masamah and Mujaazef were all close behind Jamesie over the track and trip last month. Lehaaf has been finding a mile too far and is well enough handicapped to get involved over this much shorter trip.
Abu Sidra (FR) (8-13) 4th of 9, 4l behind Kolonel (8-11) at Maisons-Laffitte(FR) 6f Grp 3 gd in Nov.
Merhee (AUS) 7-2fav (9-4) 12th of 16, 6l behind Alsaaeqah (9-2) at Meydan(UAE) 5f hcp gd in Jan.
Masamah (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) 6th of 16, 1 1/4l behind Alsaaeqah (9-2) at Meydan(UAE) 5f hcp gd in Jan.
Zee Bros (USA) 20-1 (8-6) Stalked,bid,weakened, 10th of 12, 17l behind Shakin It Up (8-6) at Santa Anita(USA) 7f cnd stks (3yo) in Dec.
Roi De Vitesse (IRE) 40-1 (9-0) 8th of 14, 5l behind Russian Soul (9-2) at Meydan(UAE) 6f Group 3 stks (3yo+) (1).
Medicean Man 9-2 (9-1) won at Meydan(UAE) 5f hcp gd beating Ahtoug (8-13) by nk, 10 ran.
Conveyance (USA) 10-1 (8-13) Quickly away, led, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 14, 8l behind Skysurfers (8-13) at Meydan(UAE) 1m Group 2 sks (1) in Mar '11.
Mujaazef 4-1 (9-3) 6th of 9, 6l behind Sholaan (9-6) at Jebel Ali(UAE) 6f hcp.
Racy 8-1 (8-7) 7th of 10, 3l behind Medicean Man (9-1) at Meydan(UAE) 5f hcp gd.
Lehaaf (ARG) 4-1fav (9-5) 5th of 14, 1 3/4l behind Red Duke (9-2) at Meydan(UAE) 1m hcp gd.
Murbeh (IRE) 20-1 (8-2) 5th of 9, 5l behind Sholaan (9-6) at Jebel Ali(UAE) 6f hcp.
