Group 1 US$10 million Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline
Eishin Flash – The 2010 Japanese Derby winner Eishin Flash did a canter easily for a lap and did a half gallop on the second lap over the all-weather course as he prepares for Saturdays Group 1 US $10 million Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline.
Trainer Hideaki Fujiwara commented, “The only concern was the [journey] from Japan to Dubai. But thanks to the other [Japanese horses] taking the same flight, there was no problem at all including the transit at Singapore. He did not lose any weight. Thanks to the Dubai Racing Club, I am very appreciative of the invitation for the Dubai World Cup and hope Eishin Flash can show all his talent he has. Jockey Christophe Lemaire will ride once till the raceday and what we have to do is to keep the horse’s good condition for him.”
Planteur – The winner of the Group 1 Prix Ganay last year for Ellie Lellouche, the five-year-old will have his first start for Marco Botti on Dubai World Cup night.
Botti’s wife Lucia said: “He arrived on Monday and travelled over very well. I am happy with him and he will be out on the track on Thursday and Friday mornings.”
Royal Delta – Kicking up her heels a bit as she passed a throng of media members with whirring camera lenses, American champion filly Royal Delta energetically leapt into her daily exercise on March 27 with her Dubai work partner and Group 2 UAE Derby entrant Lucky Chappy at her side.
“That’s the first time we’ve seen that from her—she’s feeling good,” said Mylor Rider, stable foreman for trainer Bill Mott, of the filly’s brief display of exuberance. “She saw all those people and just decided to do something silly,” added Mott’s assistant Leana Willaford, who has been riding Royal Delta in Dubai. “She feels great. She just does things so easily.”
Royal Delta quickly settled down, and she and Lucky Chappy galloped approximately 2,200m (about 1 3/8 miles), with the smaller colt following the statuesque filly around the track. As she has done ever since she visited the Meydan all-weather track for the first time on March 24, Royal Delta cruised through her work with her ears up, and she pulled away from Lucky Chappy without extending herself.
Trainer Bill Mott arrived in Dubai shortly after Royal Delta completed her work. When he visited the four-year-old daughter of Empire Maker in the quarantine barn area, the smile on his face showed that he is delighted with her condition coming into the Dubai World Cup.
“She looks great,” he said. “She’s sassy.”
Royal Delta is bidding to become the first filly or mare to win the Dubai World Cup. The previous best finish by a female runner was recorded by Japan’s To the Victory, who was second to Captain Steve in the 2001 edition of the world’s richest race.
Mott also made Dubai racing history when he saddled Cigar to win the inaugural Dubai World Cup in 1996.
Silver Pond – Doug Watson has had another good local season and is very much looking forward to running Silver Pond in Saturday’s $10million Dubai World Cup after the five-year-old made an excellent start to his local career when second in the Group 1 Maktoum Challenge III on Super Saturday (March 10). It was the horse’s first start since November and first race on the all-weather and the trainer was delighted with the effort.
Watson said: “That was a really big run and he showed not only his wellbeing but the fact that he handles [all-weather]. He worked well yesterday and has definitely come on for that run. Obviously Saturday’s race is a very good one but this horse has a touch of class and we are really looking forward to it and enjoying the dream. Hopefully we get a good draw and to have such a nice runner in the world’s richest horse race is great for the whole team.”
Smart Falcon – The Ken Kozaki-trained seven-year-old galloped for 1,200m on the all-weather track and covered the last 600m in 36.7seconds and last 200m in 11.6 seconds.
Kozaki, who landed this morning to supervise the horse, commented, “He showed dynamic footwork and changed lead smoothly, so it was an ideal fast work for him. The [all-wetaher] is likely to be more sticky than Polytrack at home, but the race is a race, which is not the same as the routine trackwork, so we will figure out how he fits the surface on the big day. As for the transit in Singapore, the [journey] went smoothly. He lost a bit of weight but has already regained since he arrived Dubai. There are two other top contenders in the field, so I always think we are a challenger. I will keep his condition and his weight until the race day. He is scheduled not to come out on the main track tomorrow.”
So You Think – The powerful contingent from the Ballydoyle stable of Aidan O’Brien trainees arrived safely at Meydan on Monday morning from Ireland. The O’Brien horses were all reported to have travelled well and it is anticipated that they will appear on the track on Wednesday morning.
Patrick Keating, travelling head lad for Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle Stables confirmed “The horses all travelled well, and arrived here in good order, no problems whatsoever. They have all had uninterrupted preparations in Ireland, the weather back home over the winter has been OK. We have a bigger team here this year than in the past, and I’d say they all come here with chances.”
Transcend – One of last year’s spectacular 1-2 finish, Transcend did a routine canter on the all-weather track under the regular exercise rider Hisami Yamashita.
Yamashita who commented, “Everything is going according to the plan. His condition is improving each day. He will gallop once again and should be fit perfectly for the race.”
Group 1 US$5 million Dubai Sheema Classic, sponsored by Longines
Beaten Up – William Haggas’s lightly raced four-year-old arrived in Dubai on Tuesday night in advance of his engagement in the Dubai Sheema Classic and is expected on track for the first time on Thursday.
Bold Silvano / Mahbooba – Meydan clockers timed Mahbooba working in company with Irish Flame 1,200m in 1:18.2 with splits of 12.2 and 37.0 while Bold Silvano went 1,200m in 1:19.6 with splits 37.9 seconds and 12.7 seconds.
Cirrus des Aigles – the six-year-old bay gelding went for a spin on the all-weather trackTuesday morning under regular work rider Zoe Gargoulaud. “We just went for a little canter,” she confirmed. “He is in good form and I’m happy with him.”
His trainer Corine Barande-Barbe is expected to be at the track tomorrow morning.
Jakkalberry – Takes a step rise in class when he contests the Dubai Sheema Classic on Saturday. The Irish-bred six-year-old transferred to Marco Botti’s Newmarket stable in summer and has resided in Dubai since January.
“He did his usual Tuesday thing: one lap just to stretch his legs,” said exercise rider Keith Williams. “The horse is generally very well. He has plenty of character and is ticking along.”
Williams added that Jakkalberry may do something more strenuous when Botti assesses the him when he arrives in Dubai on Wednesday.
St Nicholas Abbey / Treasure Beach – The powerful contingent from the Ballydoyle stable of Aidan O’Brien trainees arrived safely at Meydan on Monday morning from Ireland. The O’Brien horses were all reported to have travelled well and it is anticipated that they will appear on the track on Wednesday morning.
Patrick Keating, travelling head lad for Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle Stables confirmed “The horses all travelled well, and arrived here in good order, no problems whatsoever. They have all had uninterrupted preparations in Ireland, the weather back home over the winter has been OK. We have a bigger team here this year than in the past, and I’d say they all come here with chances.”
Group 1 US$5 million Dubai Duty Free, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free
Albaasil – Trainer Doug Watson is hoping first reserve Albaasil gets a run in the Group 1 US$5 million Dubai Duty Free, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free, after two excellent runs on his first two local outings.
Things did not go his way on Super Saturday (March 10) and Watson said: “I really would love to run him Saturday as he is in really good shape and is a very nice horse. He was not suited by the way the Jebel Hatta unfolded and was unlucky with the lack of pace early on not helping him at all.
“He is capable of a big run and we are just hoping he gets in.”
Await the Dawn – The powerful contingent from the Ballydoyle stable of Aidan O’Brien trainees arrived safely at Meydan on Monday morning from Ireland. The O’Brien horses were all reported to have travelled well and it is anticipated that they will appear on the track on Wednesday morning.
Patrick Keating, travelling head lad for Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle Stables confirmed “The horses all travelled well, and arrived here in good order, no problems whatsoever. They have all had uninterrupted preparations in Ireland, the weather back home over the winter has been OK. We have a bigger team here this year than in the past, and I’d say they all come here with chances.”
Cityscape – Roger Charlton’s six-year-old flew in from Stanstead, England, on Monday and is expected on the track Thursday morning.
Steve Raymont, trainer Roger Charlton’s assistant said of Cityscape, “He’s travelled over well and we’ll play his training by ear. He’ll probably just trot on Wednesday and have a hack canter on Wednesday. James Doyle will reacquaint himself with the horse on Friday. He rode him in a piece of work at Kempton Park recently and knows the horse and James has experience of Meydan which is invaluable.”
Dubawi Gold – Richard Hannon’s runner appeared on the track for light exercise under his regular work rider.
Green Destiny – Herman Brown’s charge takes his chance in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free and reverts to turf having struggled on his all-weather debutearlier this month at Meydan’s Super Saturday racemeeting.
Brown explained: “He was purchased initially with the Dubai World Cup very much in mind but just failed to fire on Super Saturday. He was virtually pulled up but returned sound so he was scoped and had swallowed some of the all-weather. He looked a very progressive horse last year for his previous trainer in England and shows an excellent turn of foot. The one draw may not be ideal for a hold up horse and there will be plenty of horses ridden for luck from off the pace.”
Musir – the 2012 Group 2 Al Rashidiya and Group 3 Al Maktoum Challenge Rd II winner was clocked 800m down the straight in 47.2 seconds with splits 11.8 seconds and 23.2 seconds.
Presvis – Last year’s Dubai Duty Free winner was one of the last horses out on to the track this morning and trainer Luca Cumani said: “His last piece of work was at the weekend. He just went round the track today and it is the same as last year – just that he is a year older!”
Meydan clockers caught Presvis’ final 200m in 15 seconds flat.
Group 1 US$2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen, sponsored by Gulf News
Giant Ryan – The American-bred six-year-old came out onto the main track at Meydan at about 6 a.m. Tuesday and as he did yesterday, and jogged one circuit of the all-weather course and then galloped a second circuit as he prepares for Saturday.
Unlike Monday the Biznath Parboo-trained son of Freud blew out the final 200m down the lane.
Iver Bridge Lad – Trainer John Ryan jumped into the saddle to partner his five-year-old in light exercise on the all-weather. The Avonbridge entire has run four times at the Dubai World Cup Carnival this year and finished eighth on his most recent outing in Group 3 company.
“He came out of that race well and he is fit and ready to go,” said Ryan. “The change of scenery with all the people on the track today has freshened him up and I have been very happy with him. His jockey, Michael O’Connell, flies in today so he will have a sit on him tomorrow. The horse has been here since January 8 and has been placed a couple of times in his prep runs. He did a nice piece of work last Friday and has just done steady work today.”
Lucky Nine – The Group 1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint winner Lucky Nine remained in quarantine for a second day as trainer Caspar Fownes arrived from Hong Kong on Tuesday morning. A breeze on the main track is pencilled-in for Wednesday or Thursday.
Rocket Man – The emphatic winner of this race a year ago having finished second in 2010 was reunited with Felix Coetzee on the all-weather and the pair completed light work with the preparation largely completed already at home in Singapore prior to shipping.
Trainer Pat Shaw professed himself pleased with how his defending champion has prepared in recent months after a season that has not quite reached the highs of the past – but through no fault the horse’s, Shaw was quick to point out.
“He was in Japan for the Sprinters in October but he missed a lot of work there because of earthquake aftershocks and typhoons; natural phenomena, Acts of God,” he explained.
“Then in Hong Kong in December he was drawn wide and never got on the track. He might have handled it okay going left-handed, but racing the other way around in Hong Kong out wide was something he was never going to manage. So you can forget those two runs.
“Back home in Singapore he has come back to his old self and I have tried to make this preparation for Dubai as close to what has worked so well before. He is a year older and this race is probably a bit stronger than what we have faced here before, but he is still a force to be reckoned with and we are happy with him going into Saturday night.”
Russian Rock – Musabah Al Muhairi has two runners on the card with Russian Rock stepping into Group 1 company in the 1,200m Dubai Golden Shaheen on the all-weather. Winner of both his most recent starts, over 1000m at Jebel Ali, including the Listed Jebel Ali Sprint, he did win a handicap over course and distance in December and stable jockey Wayne Smith said: “Obviously this is a big step up in class against some top notch sprinters but our fellow has improved since he last ran over Saturday’s course and distance when he won a handicap. The 1,400m has stretched him on his next two starts but he has shown bags of speed at Jebel Ali and I am looking forward to taking on the likes of Rocket Man.”
Sepoy – It will be a new experience for Australian trainer Peter Snowden at the Dubai World Cup meeting at Meydan on Saturday, seeing his horses Sepoy and Helmet race in the Godolphin blue colours for the first time.
In his time as head trainer for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai’s Darley Stud Australia operation, Snowden has been highly successful racing under the Darley colours of Burgundy and White.
Not that the matter-of-fact Snowden is superstitious about such things. In his previous life as foreman for John Hawkes, trainer for Jack and Bob Ingham when they were Australia’s most successful owners, their horses either raced in all pink or the second set of black with a pink cap.
When Darley bought the stud and racing interests of the Ingham family, Snowden took over the reins and was instantly successful with the Burgundy and White and he certainly believes racing in the Godolphin Blue in Dubai will hardly be a disadvantage.
“The Boss (His Highness Sheikh Mohammed) is the best winner and the best loser I’ve ever seen and I hope my first runners for him in Dubai can do the colours proud,” Snowden said.
Sepoy, who takes on the older sprinters in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (1,200m), caught Snowden’s eye with a brilliant finish to his work this morning (Tuesday).
Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, Sepoy worked from the 1,000m and picking up the pace from the 800m.
“He really finished off well, breaking 22 seconds for the final 400m which suggests to me he has really made significant improvement, he worked as well as at any time he has at home,” Snowden said.
Sepoy and Helmet will join the Godolphin team after Saturday’s races and are likely to compete at Royal Ascot in June although it is not yet known which of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s trainers will take them over.
The Factor – Trained by Bob Baffert, the four-year-old walked in the quarantine area on Tuesday morning at Meydan Racecourse.
The handsome gray colt breezed 600m Monday morning at Meydan in 36.80 seconds, in preparation for Saturday.
While considered an early Triple Crown contender in 2011 with a win in the Grade 2 San Vicente Stakes and the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes, The Factor has earned a majority of his $772,000 sprinting. The Factor most recently won back-to-back graded stakes at 1,400m. He will be cutting back to 1,200m on Saturday.
The son of War Front is stabled at Hollywood Park and has the opportunity to train over a synthetic course daily. Also, the quiet atmosphere at the racetrack during the Santa Anita meet across town enables Baffert to quell to the colt’s competitive nature in the mornings.
Trainer Tim Yakteen, a former assistant trainer to Bob Baffert, is supervising the colt’s training at Meydan, as well as the training of Dubai World Cup candidate Game On Dude.
Yakteen said that The Factor will jog on Wednesday morning on the main track. The quarantine stabling is a 30-minute walk to the main track at Meydan, so Yakteen arranges for the Baffert horses to be vanned each morning to the receiving barn.
“Our horses are not accustomed to the walk,” said Yakteen. “When your horses are doing good they are doing good the way that you are training them and you really don’t want to change what you’ve been doing,” he said.
Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint, sponsored by Emirates NBD
A Shin Virgo – Worked easily on the all-weather track.
Trainer Ken Kozaki commented, “She will have a fast work tomorrow morning. Due to the warm weather in Dubai, she has shed her coat and is likely in a good form. I think the climate suits her and she eats up well. She won two in two starts over 1,000m straight course at home, so the post position will not her hitch. The weight of 55kilos should be good for her.”
August Rush – The Herman Brown-trained August Rush, a Group 1 winning sprinter in their native South Africa, faces 15 rivals in the 1,000m turf contest and the trainer said: “We thought about the Dubai Golden Shaheen as most of his racing has been at 1,200m but we want winning chances on the night and I think the turf race is probably a bit weaker. They will go fast and furious and hopefully he will be running on strongly.”
Better Be The One – The Singapore speedster, third in this race in 2011, also appeared on the training track under James Peters, assistant to trainer Michael Freedman, who later issued an upbeat bulletin as to his horse’s wellbeing.
“I couldn’t be happier with him. He looks great and is eating well. His jockey Kieren Fallon will give him a workout on Thursday and we are looking forward to race day,” he said.
Reflecting on a slightly disappointing return to Meydan last month when he finished midfield behind rival Nocturnal Affair in a handicap, Peters added: “I would put that down to him being a bit flat after the plane trip from Singapore. He has had a lot longer to settle back into the routine here and I don’t see why he can’t run up to his form in this race last year.
Meydan clockers caught the final 600m of Better Be The One’s work on Tuesday in 40.7 seconds with the last 200m being clocked in 12.1 seconds.
Eagle Regiment – Remained in the quarantine area having worked on the all-weather the previous day, but trainer Manfred Man, who had just arrived from Hong Kong, said his Group 1 winner would return to the main track on Wednesday or Thursday to top off his preparation.
Joy and Fun – Victorious in the inaugural running of this race on Dubai World Cup night in 2010, the eight-year-old breezed on the all-weather under trainer Derek Cruz who pulled up the veteran sprinter content with how the exercise had gone.
“We galloped about 900m; he moved well and he’s spot on for the weekend,” Cruz declared. The trainer was also buoyed by his charge drawing the identical barrier 6 to what he emerged from successfully two years ago.
“Let’s hope it’s a good omen again,” he smiled.
Meydan clockers caught the final 600m of Joy and Fun’s work on Tuesday in 42.4 seconds with the last 200m being clocked in 11.8 seconds.
Regally Ready – 2011 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Regally Ready galloped 2,400m on the turf course at Meydan on Tuesday morning. Winner of nine of 19 races, the son of More Than Ready drew post 3 of 16 for the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint on Saturday.
Trainer Steve Asmussen’s Toronto-based assistants Devron Leingang and Mandy Seim have been overseeing Regally Ready’s training. The couple has been in Dubai since February, when they arrived with the five-year-old gelding. Regally Ready started in the Meydan Sprint on March 10 over the Al Quoz course, but finished a disappointing 13th.
“We can’t say this is the reason why or this is the reason why,” explained Leingang. “We are just hoping that the flight took a little something off of him or the course was a little bit softer, but no excuses. He’s a little stronger now than before.”
Regally Ready has been basking in the Dubai sunshine according to assistant Seim.
“I just like to get him out for a little while in the afternoons, and he stands and stares for what seems like hours,” said Seim. “I’m not sure what he’s looking at, but he seems to enjoy it here.”
Sole Power – the five-year-old brown gelding went 800m Tuesday morning with clockers timing the effort in 53.4 seconds with splits of 11.4 seconds and 36.9 seconds.
Group 2 US$2 million UAE Derby, sponsored by The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group
Balada Sale – Work rider for thePascal-Barry trained filly Balada Sale, Christophe Bretez said: “We did a three quarter slow canter, followed by another three quarter canter. All is well.”
Burano – The three-year-old was back in routine mode after Monday’s workout, when he covered 1,200m on the main track in company with his lead horse, Mehdi. Meydan clockers caught his final 400m in 27.3 seconds Tuesday.
The son of Dalakhani, trained by Brian Meehan, is reported to be thriving after his last-gasp victory from Entifaadha in the Meydan Classic on turf February 23.
“He has come on from that,” said Meehan’s head lad Stewart Gosnell, who has been in Dubai for the last three months. “We couldn’t be happier with him. He worked very well on Monday and it was back to a normal canter today.”
Burano confronts strong opposition in the UAE Derby over 1,800m on the main track on Saturday.
“We are hoping to be placed and anything more would be a bonus,” Gosnell said, “The horse feels good. He met some trouble in running when he won here last time and Frankie (Dettori, who rode him) said he should have won more easily.”
Meehan is due in Dubai on Friday.
Daddy Long Legs / Wrote – The powerful contingent from the Ballydoyle stable of Aidan O’Brien trainees arrived safely at Meydan on Monday morning from Ireland. The O’Brien horses were all reported to have travelled well and it is anticipated that they will appear on the track on Wednesday morning.
Patrick Keating, travelling head lad for Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle Stables confirmed “The horses all travelled well, and arrived here in good order, no problems whatsoever. They have all had uninterrupted preparations in Ireland, the weather back home over the winter has been OK. We have a bigger team here this year than in the past, and I’d say they all come here with chances.”
Entifaadha – Beaten by Burano in a bobbing finish when the pair clashed over 1600m Meydan Classic last month. It was the colt’s first run for six months and Richard Hills, who rode him then, was back aboard for a breeze in which Entifaahda quickened smartly down the home stretch.
“He just blew out for the last 500m,” said Hills, who rides the colt on Saturday. “He felt great and has come forward a lot from his last run.”
Hills, 49, will retire after Dubai World Cup night on Saturday. He spent the last 15 years as retained jockey to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
As for his prospects aboard Entifaadha in the UAE Derby, the jockey said: “For me, it’s a more competitive race than last year. There is a Breeders’ Cup winner (Wrote) in there, along with two or three others, but you could virtually throw a blanket over the rest of us.”
Genten – The stablemate of the Dubai Gold Cup runner Makani Bisty, Genten worked easily on the all-weather track.
Trainer Yoshito Yahagi said, “It will be a tough race for him because the field is strong. He is still green, and this experience must be a good factor for him for the future races.”
Helmet – It will be a new experience for Australian trainer Peter Snowden at the Dubai World Cup meeting at Meydan on Saturday, seeing his horses Sepoy and Helmet race in the Godolphin blue colours for the first time.
In his time as head trainer for His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai’s Darley Stud Australia operation, Snowden has been highly successful racing under the Darley colours of Burgundy and White.
Not that the matter-of-fact Snowden is superstitious about such things. In his previous life as foreman for John Hawkes, trainer for Jack and Bob Ingham when they were Australia’s most successful owners, their horses either raced in all pink or the second set of black with a pink cap.
When Darley bought the stud and racing interests of the Ingham family, Snowden took over the reins and was instantly successful with the Burgundy and White and he certainly believes racing in the Godolphin Blue in Dubai will hardly be a disadvantage.
“The Boss (His Highness Sheikh Mohammed) is the best winner and the best loser I’ve ever seen and I hope my first runners for him in Dubai can do the colours proud,” Snowden said.
He is looking on the bright side of Helmet drawing the outside of the 14 runners in the UAE Derby (1,800m).
“At least if he does miss the start as he did at Flemington at his last start he should be able to keep out of trouble.”
Snowden said Helmet had probably adapted better than Sepoy to the all-weather surface at Meydan in the three weeks the horses have been in Dubai. “The all-weather is not as firm as some of the artificial tracks in Australia and I’ve noticed that some horses tend to labour on it but Helmet has tended to skim over it.”
Lucky Chappy – With trainer Graham Motion watching by the Meydan rail after flying into Dubai with his family the previous night, Team Valor International’s Lucky Chappy turned in a strong gallop on March 27 while following Dubai World Cup contender Royal Delta through approximately 2,200m (about 1 3/8 miles).
“He galloped great,” called out Alice Clapham, Motion’s assistant and the rider of Lucky Chappy, as they walked to the trainer following the exercise.
“I couldn’t be happier,” Motion said.
While, by the trainer’s own description, the smallish Lucky Chappy is “not an imposing horse,” looks can be deceiving. “There’s not much to him, but he’s a tough little guy,” Motion said.
Although no American-based horse has previously won the UAE Derby, Motion said this seemed to be a good year to take a chance with a colt like Lucky Chappy, a son of High Chaparral who was previously raced in Europe and does not seem the type to excel in American dirt races such as the Kentucky Derby.
However, he has raced well, finishing second by a nose in a Grade 3 race, on the same type of all-weather surface as at Meydan, and he has trained over that type of track at Motion’s base at the Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland.
Motion said he may send Lucky Chappy out for a brief turn of speed on March 28, depending partly on what trainer Bill Mott plans for Royal Delta. Mott’s assistant Leana Willaford has said he also is contemplating a short blowout for the filly.
Lucky Chappy and Royal Delta have been working together because the colt, who is used to European-style training, performs better when he is following another horse. In turn, the filly does not like to leave the barn area unless she follows another horse, so Lucky Chappy takes the lead at that time.
“It’s worked out well for both of them,” Motion said.
Red Duke – Another of the British runners to have arrived on Monday and John Quinn’s three-year-old Hard Spun colt could make his first track appearance on Thursday.
John Quinn said “He arrived from Heathrow at 7.30 Monday night, and he travelled and ate and drank well. I’m impressed with what I’ve seen of Meydan so far. We’ll have a look at the track tomorrow, and he’ll probably go out on the all-weather on Thursday. Tom Queally will have a sit on him.”
Yang Tse Kiang – The Richard Chotard-trained Yang Tse Kiang came to the track with his compatriot Balada Sale in tow.
Yang Tse Kiang was ridden by regular work rider Julian Guyot who said: “I did a slow canter over 1,400m and he is in great form. I’m very happy with him.”
Group 3 US$1 million Dubai Gold Cup, sponsored by Al Tayer Motors
Barbican – The sole runner from the Alan Bailey yard touched down on Monday and plans to make a first track appearance on Thursday.
Joe Parr, trainer Alan Bailey’s travelling head lad, said of Barbican,” He’s travelled well and ate up overnight. He’ll have a couple of quiet days and probably go to the track on Thursday, probably on the turf with his work rider Alan Flannigan. His big race jockey Ryan Moore has ridden him before, so doesn’t need to sit on him before Saturday.”
Bronze Cannon/ Mikhail Glinka – South African Herman Brown is very much looking forward to Saturday evening and highlighted Mikhail Glinka, winner of the Group 2 Dubai City Of Gold (2,410m turf) on Super Saturday as probably his best chance from six runners on the card.
Brown, who saddled Jay Peg to win the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free in 2008, has chosen to step the five-year-old up in trip to contest the 3200m Group 3 US$1 million Dubai Gold Cup explaining: “We have six runners on the night and they all seem very well and in great form – the best I have had them this year. We have done ok at the Carnival but having as many runners as we can on Saturday has always been the target.
“We could have gone to the Dubai Sheema Classic with Mikhail Glinka but, realistically, the Dubai Gold Cup looked a more viable winning opportunity. We know he stays well and I am hoping for a big run. We also have Bronze Cannon in the race but Mikhail Glinka looks our main hope.”
Irish Flame/Zanzamar – Meydan clockers timed Irish Flame working in company with Mahbooba 1,200m in 1:18.2 with splits of 12.2 and 37.0
Joshua Tree – Formerly trained by Aidan O’Brien when fifth in the 2010 St Leger at Doncaster, Joshua Tree is now in the care of Marco Botti and has raced three times at Meydan this year.
He goes into unknown territory over the 3,200m on Saturday and enjoyed a leg stretch on the all-weather under Botti’s wife Lucia.
“He is well, came out of his last race fine and is fit and ready to go,” said Mrs. Botti. “I think he should stay the distance as he was fifth in the St Leger as a three-year-old and I have definitely seen an improvement in him while he has been out here. His final piece of work was on the grass and we are now just keeping his routine going in the build-up to Saturday.”
Kasbah Bliss – Easily recognisable like all the François Doumen-trained horses he is equipped with orange bandages, came onto the all-weather where he went for a slow canter.
His trainer François Doumen said: “He looks good, it’s amazing how supple he is despite his age. He worked yesterday, as I thought he needed that. He had a good blow and so this morning he just went for a bit of a canter. I’m not worried about keeping him fresh for Saturday. He has a nice coat and I’m happy with him.”
Makani Bisty – Walked for an hour around the quarantine stable area.
Trainer Yoshito Yahagi said of the five-year-old Bernardini horse “He []prefers] cooler weather, so the recent climate in Dubai [suits] him. I think he has a big chance in the field of the Dubai Gold Cup. He is by Bernardini and has a very good bottom line as well, so I think the distance should suit him and 3,200m is his best distance.”
Unusual Suspect – Worked over 2000m with Meydan clockers recording his last 1600m in 1:49.3 with splits of 12.5 seconds, 24.5 seconds and 37.6 seconds.
Group 2 US$1 million Godolphin Mile, sponsored by Etisalat
Red Jazz – Charlie Hills will have his first Dubai World Cup night runner with Red Jazz and the five-year-old arrived in Dubai on Monday ahead of his first track visit on Thursday morning.
Ian Wilder, travelling head lad said “Red Jazz flew from London, arriving here last night. He travelled, ate and drank well, was a little warm on arrival, but that’s normal for him, and he’s been cool and fine since reaching the barn. Michael Hills will have a sit on him on Thursday, maybe on the turf.”
Shamalgan – The only French raider in this race, looked in good form when he came onto the all-weather track on Tuesday morning.
His trainer Xavier Nakkachdji said: “He worked yesterday on the grass over 1,600m. He was on his own. I wanted him to change tracks to keep him switched on. He had a nice stride and I was happy with him. So this morning we just went back onto the all-weather where he did a slow canter.”
Snaffy – Trainer Musabah Al Muhairi and jockey Wayne Smith combine with Snaafy in the Godolphin Mile, and the eight-year-old will be having his third Dubai World Cup night appearance and his first outside Group 1 company.
He was second to Godolphin’s African Story in the prep race, the Group 3 Burj Nahaar on Super Saturday and Smith said: “That was his best run on the all-weather and it was a good effort. It is a strong race on Saturday with African Story impressing everybody last time and horses like Red Jazz who was third in it last year coming over but I am delighted to be on Snaafy and he should run well.”
Viscount Nelson – the five-year-old won the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort last month and trainer Mike De Kock said: “We have opted for the Godolphin Mile in the end even though he has yet to race on the all-weather but his work on it is very good. The draw could have been kinder but he is going well at home and should give a good account of himself. We are very much looking forward to the night and hopefully have a few good chances.”
Western Aristocrat – Jeremy Noseda’s representative was another to have arrived in Dubai on Monday and he is expected on the track on Thursday morning.
Alan Tate, representing trainer Jeremy Noseda said “Western Aristocrat travelled over great, he loves to travel – he went to New York and Los Angeles last year and thrives on it. He looks a million dollars in his coat and is full of himself. Jeremy (Noseda) will be here on Thursday, when the horse will probably have a canter on the all-weather.”
