Heavy Metal (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) has been a master of the Meydan dirt mile over the past two seasons, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed's 8-year-old gelding looks for back-to-back wins in Saturday's G3 Burj Nahaar over that course and distance. The bay won this by 6 1/2 lengths a year ago before fading to eighth over the rare muddy going in the G2 Godolphin Mile three weeks later, but he bounced back with a pair of wins to start the season, including a 4 1/2-length tally over Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) in the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R1. Upped to 1900 metres for the G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2, Heavy Metal faded to be third behind Thunder Snow, but he goes into this off a 9 3/4-length romp back at his pet distance in the G3 Firebreak S. on Feb. 17.
Heavy Metal looks to have these well held on the ratings, but nonetheless Kimbear (Temple City) started the year off with a five-length win in a course and distance handicap. He was well beaten when second to Raven's Corner (Raven's Pass) dropped down to 1400 metres last out on Feb. 22, but Raven's Corner instead opts to drop down in trip for Saturday's G3 Mahab Al Shimaal.
Hong Kong's Classic Emperor (Medaglia d'Oro) makes a last-ditch effort to get into the Godolphin Mile after stumbling badly at the start of a track and trip handicap on Feb. 22 and unseating his rider. Classic Emperor has won over 1650 metres on the Sha Tin dirt in two of last three starts but hasn't had an official race since Jan. 13.
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