Wigmore Hall made a good impression on Michael Bell as the trainer returned to Dubai to supervise the four-year-old gelding for Saturday’s Dubai Duty Free at Meydan.
After starting off in handicap company, Wigmore Hall has come of age as a Group One performer, taking second spot in the Secretariat Stakes, finishing fifth in the Champion Stakes and storming down the centre of the track to land the Jebel Hatta on his Dubai debut earlier this month.
Bell, who arrived on Tuesday night from Newmarket, said: “He seems very happy and well in himself and was squealing on the way back to the barn, and that is what you want in a racehorse.
“He had a blowout in the home straight which shows his wind is clear and he is happy and healthy.
“We sent him to Arlington last year and he finished second, and that proved that he can travel.
“The chips are far bigger out here than in the UK so it made sense to then come here.
“It is a tough race with horses from all over the world but I left improvement in him, so to win his trial was a bonus.
“He will run here and then be off to Hong Kong and Singapore.”
PA mfl/gm
