Victorian speedster Illustrious Lad has flown under the radar in preparation for Dubai’s Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan.
The Peter Gelagotis-trained sprinter is making his second appearance at the Dubai World Cup meeting after finishing fifth in the Al Quoz Sprint won by Jungle Cat last year.
Illustrious Lad, to be ridden by Anthony Darmanin, is one of three Australian representatives in Saturday night’s 1200m-sprint, and has drawn barrier 11 in the 13-horse field.
The Kris Lees-trained Brave Smash to be ridden by Hugh Bowman, has barrier six while the Lloyd Kennewell-trained Viddora, with Joe Bowditch aboard, has barrier 12.
Gelagotis says the reports from Dubai are Illustrious Lad has thrived since his arrival.
“The reports are the horse travelled excellent. He’s a very composed horse, more so this time than last time, and he worked outstanding on Tuesday morning,” Gelagotis said.
“Darma rode Brave Smash in a gallop as well and he said both horses felt enormous.
“He didn’t say ours felt better, or the other one felt better, he just said both horses worked like really nice horses.
“He said you couldn’t split them and I’ve seen some footage of him and he looks a happy horse.”
Unfortunately for Gelagotis he cannot be in Dubai on Saturday night with runners engaged in three states back home.
“I can’t be in four places at once,” he said.
“I’ve got a runner (Moss ‘N’ Dale) in Sydney, a runner (Miss Five Hundred) in Adelaide, one (Serenade The Stars) at Bendigo and one in Dubai.
“We all can’t be in one place and neglect the others.
“It’s not that I don’t want to be in Dubai but my system runs where the responsibility falls on me more than anyone else in the stable.
“I’ve got to send horses off interstate tonight.”
Gelagotis said he was likely to be at Morphettville with Miss Five Hundred in the Laelia Stakes but would also like to be at Rosehill for Moss ‘N’ Dale in the Neville Sellwood Stakes believing him to be in his right race at 2000m.
