Al Sahem has won just once in seven starts in South Africa but that was at Group 1 level and he was narrowly beaten in that class in the lucrative Durban July. Mike De Kock's horses have generally needed a run as did Light The Lights when five lengths behind BENBATL three weeks ago. He showed the benefit with a smooth victory a week later but the winner looked very impressive and should confirm the form. He also holds the consistent Earnshaw who, as usual, got too far behind, plus Bay Of Poets, who was also finishing strongly. Sharpalo was further behind and is unlikely to turn the tables but Brave Zolo, a Listed winner at Newmarket in November, made a promising start over a trip too short three weeks ago and give Godolphin a very strong hand.
Al Sahem (SAF) 4-1fav (8-6) 2nd of 18, hd behind Marinaresco (9-6) at Greyville 1m 3f gd in Jul.
Bay Of Poets (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) 6th of 15, 3 3/4l behind Benbatl (8-13) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 3 stks fst in Jan.
Sharpalo (FR) 33-1 (8-10) 4th of 8, 5 1/4l behind Light The Lights (9-5) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Jan.
Bravo Zolo (IRE) 4-1fav (9-4) 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind D'bai (9-3) at Meydan 7f hcp fst in Jan.
Earnshaw (USA) 11-1 (9-0) 3rd of 15, 3l behind Benbatl (8-13) at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 3 stks fst in Jan.
Light The Lights (SAF) 5-1 (9-5) won at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Jan beating Blair House (8-8) by nk, 8 ran.
Benbatl 7-4fav (8-13) won at Meydan 1m 1f Grp 3 stks fst in Jan beating Emotionless (9-0) by 2 1/4l, 15 ran.
