Godolphin’s two trainers Saeed bin Suroor and Mahmoud Al Zarooni discussed some of their Saturday prospects at a Press Conference following Thursday morning’s Breakfast With The Stars at Meydan.
Al Zarooni believes that his best chance of success might come in the Group 3 US$1 million Dubai Gold Cup, sponsored by Al Tayer Motors with Opinion Poll, the mount of Frankie Dettori.
Despite finishing second to Fox Hunt on his only start of the season in the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy, Opinion Poll is fancied by his trainer to turn that form around when the two horses re-oppose on Saturday.
“Opinion Poll needed the run, and has come on for it. He’s fitter now, and I think he represents our best chance,” said Al Zarooni.
Saeed bin Suroor nominated African Story in the Group 2 US$1 million Godolphin Mile as his best chance on the night. The mount of Frankie Dettori, African Story has won two of his three starts this season at Meydan, including the Group 3 Burj Nahaar over course and distance on his last start.
Both trainers agreed that the Group 1 US$10 million Dubai World Cup was a wide open race.
“There are a lot of good horses,” said Al Zarooni, “and anyone can win it. Monterosso was third in the race last year, and has just had the one run since, when he was fourth on his seasonal re-appearance. He needed that run and will strip fitter this time around. He will be helped by a fast pace, and Mickael Barzalona will again have the ride. Capponi has done nothing but improve, and he will be ridden by Ahmed Ajtebi, who rides well from the front.”
bin Suroor’s Dubai World Cup hopes rest with Mendip (De Sousa) and Prince Bishop (Dettori).
“They are both in good form, but both have wide draws,” said the trainer.
Soul, whom bin Suroor trains for the Group 1 US$2 Million Dubai Golden Shaheen, sponsored by Gulf News, was also the subject of good reports from his trainer. The ex-Australian sprinter has won his only start at Meydan this season.
“He has plenty of speed and the distance should suit him. That is why we went for this race (rather than the Al Quoz Sprint over 1,000m).”
In the Group 1 US$5 million Dubai Duty Free, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free, bin Suroor spoke of Delegator as an “interesting” runner.
“He was second to Sea The Stars in the 2,000 Guineas, and is a Group 2 winner over [1,200m]. It will be a test for him to stay this extra distance, but I think he will, and he has a good turn of foot.”
That is just one of many questions that will be answered on Saturday night.
