Dubai World Cup Meeting

[Forced Kin]

Group 2 US$2 million UAE Derby, sponsored by The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group

Balada Sale – Balada Sale discovered the track for the first time Monday morning and her regular work rider said: “We just let her stretch her legs. So we just went for a slow canter. Everything is good.”

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.

Genten – Two horses from Yoshito Yahagi’s stable, Makani Bisty for the G3 US $1 million Dubai Gold Cup, sponsored by Al Tayer Motors, and Genten, running for the G2 US$2 million UAE Derby, sponsored by The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group, did a routine work on the all-weather track.
The trainer Yoshito Yahagi, who flew into Dubai Monday morning and saw his horses working, commented, “I felt very relieved to see their good conditions. I think it is hard for horses to keep the best condition when they travel abroad, but they handled the long flight well and have not lost any weight. They are maintaining the same good form at home.”

Lucky Chappy – Team Valor International ‘s Lucky Chappy, who already has collected a handful of stamps in his passport even though he is not yet three years old by his actual birthdate, galloped on Monday with some very prestigious company.
Walking on to Meydan’s all-weather track with American champion filly Royal Delta, Lucky Chappy stayed close to her for his entire exercise session. With Alice Clapham, assistant to trainer Graham Motion in the irons, Lucky Chappy galloped behind the statuesque filly for approximately 2,000m (about 1 ¼ miles) and was more relaxed than he had been on Sunday, when Clapham asked an outrider to accompany the High Chaparral colt.
“He is better if he has a little company, so it worked out nicely,” said Clapham, who added that Lucky Chappy and Royal Delta have forged something of an equine friendship during their stay in Dubai World Cup Quarantine Barn 3.
Clapham and Leona Willaford, assistant to Royal Delta’s trainer Bill Mott, also are friends, so they arranged the joint work session and may repeat the duet on Tuesday.
Bred in Ireland, Lucky Chappy won a stakes in Italy last July before being sent to the United States from France. In four subsequent starts, he has finished second twice, third once and fourth once, all in stakes, including a closing fourth in the Group 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, won by UAE Derby rival Wrote.
Most recently, Lucky Chappy finished second by a nose in the Group 3 El Camino Real Derby on February 18 at Golden Gate Fields in northern California, which has the same type of all-weather surface as does Meydan. So far, the colt seems to relish the Meydan track.
“He’s getting over this track really easily,” Clapham said. “He’s moving great on this surface.”

Mickdaam – Trainer Mike De Kock’s UAE Derby record is phenomenal – he has saddled the winner on no less than five occasions and Mickdaam should go close to making it six. Winner of the Listed Al Bastakiya on Super Saturday over the same course and distance, the three-year-old has improved throughout the year and de Kock hopes is still on an upward curve.
He said: “Considering he had only won a maiden when he arrived and was rated in the 80s he has had a great season and has improved from day one. We knew the step up in trip for the Al Bastakiya would suit him and he did it well. It would be nice to think there is more improvement to come and, in reality, he needs to raise his game again as some of his rivals have been contesting good Group races throughout their careers.”

Yang Tse Kiang –Trained by Richard Chotard, the three-year-old gelding came onto the Meydan track for the first time Monday morning. He did a slow canter and his regular work rider confirmed: “This was his first time out and we just went round once in a slow canter. We are very happy with him, all is good.”

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Group 3 US$1 million Dubai Gold Cup, sponsored by Al Tayer Motors

Irish Flame/Zanzamar – Trainer Mike De Kock saddles both Irish Flame and Zanzamar and said: “Irish Flame is definitely better with cut in the ground but this is probably his trip now, while Zanzamar could have run in the Dubai Sheema Classic or here. He is solid enough and will hopefully stay.”

Kasbah Bliss – The ten-year-old gelding completed his last piece of fast work ahead of the Group 3 US $1 million Dubai Gold Cup, sponsored by Al Tayer Motors when he worked over the main track.
“It was important for the horse to do something this morning and he did what we wanted,” trainer Francois Doumen said. “He went progressively faster down the back straight, breezed through the bend and showed good acceleration in the straight to finish on the bit. The horse hadn’t run for five months when he ran here (in the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy on March 1st). We tried to find a balance between making him work and keeping him fresh, and he may have been short of preparation. As it happened, he had no chance tactically. The pace was very slow and the jockey had to ask for a big blow at the wrong time. We hope there is a good pace in Saturday.”

Makani Bisty – Trainer Yoshito Yahagi, who flew into Dubai Monday morning and saw his 2 contenders working, commented, “I felt very relief to see their good conditions. I think it is hard for horses to keep the best condition when they travel abroad, but they handled the long flight well and have not lost any weight. They are maintaining the same good form at home.” Yahagi also has Genten in the Group 2 UAE Derby.

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Group 1 US$1 million Al Quoz Sprint, sponsored by Emirates NBD

A Shin Virgo – The only female on the Japan team, A Shin Virgo, is take on the Group 1 $1 million Al Quoz Sprint, sponsored by Emirates NBD, cantered with her stablemate Smart Falcon on the all-weather track, following getting familiarized with the starting gate.
The work rider Kazuki Takada commented, “There was no hitch with the starting gate. She looked settled in the gate and did not have any problem. She’s already regained the weight she’s lost coming here and her condition is getting better each day.”

Eagle Regiment – A Group 1 winner down the 1,000m Sha Tin straight in January, was also out on the all-weather on Monday for a canter under assistant trainer Raymond Tsui who gave the thumbs up after the exercise.
“The work was good and the horse is in nice shape,” said trainer Manfred Man’s deputy.

Invincible Ash – Winner of the Meydan Sprint on Super Saturday, was partnered in her work on the all-weather surface by her regular rider Damien Melia with James Heavey, on hand to assist trainer Mick Halford, content with the workout.
“She has been in Dubai since December and she thrives here. The more sun you can get on her back and the more racing you can get into her, the better she is,” Heavey said of the seven-year-old mare facing her seventh run this Carnival.
“She has come out of her Super Saturday win very well and we are looking forward to the big night. She was beaten just three short-heads when fourth in this race last year and I’d say she’s going better now.”

Joy and Fun – Winner of this race in 2010, is back to reclaim his title in the best form of his career despite being at the relatively advanced age of eight for a sprinter.
The Hong Kong-based warhorse was kept ticking over on the large all-weather track under work rider William Chu with Martin Cruz, son of trainer Derek, watching.
Cruz Sr. arrived in Dubai on Monday morning and will take over trackwork duties himself on Tuesday.
“The horse knows his way around here Meydan. He loves it here. We all have really fond memories of winning here two years ago and I don’t see why he can’t run an another big race on Saturday night,” remarked Cruz Jr.

Margot Did – After completing a routine circuit of the main track, Margot Did was full of beans under her regular rider, Bianca Hopkins, who has accompanied the Group 1 winner to Dubai.
The four-year-old filly’s demeanour pleased Hopkins, who said: “She was a bit quiet before she ran here (she was 8th in the Meydan Sprint on March 10) and that seems to have woken her up. She had an easy canter today and feels well. She’ll do a bit more when she breezes on Wednesday.”

Nocturnal Affair - Trained by David Marnane and who completed an Irish 1-2-3 in the Meydan Sprint, also began Dubai World Cup week with a light workout on the all-weather under work rider Emma Carroll.
“He’s in great form and he looks a picture, doesn’t he? He was probably a bit unlucky in the race a few weeks ago but he is improving and with a bit more luck in running he’ll be thereabouts on Saturday,” said the work rider.

Regally Ready – Vinery Stable’s Regally Ready galloped 1,600m under the watchful eyes of Devron Leingang and Mandy Seim. Leingang and Seim are the Toronto-based assistants to trainer Steve Asmussen who have been working for the Eclipse Award-winning trainer for approximately two years.
“Regally Ready galloped great,” said Leingang. “He travelled well and is settling in well. He’s an easy-going horse.”
Regally Ready has won 9 of 19 starts and earned more than US$1.2 million.

Sole Power – Lobbed around the all-weather track under work rider David Mason who said trainer Eddie Lynam was en route to add the finishing touches to the Kyllachy gelding’s training.
Sole Power was touched off on the line by Invincible Ash in the Meydan Sprint on March 10 but Mason said the five-year-old had come out of the race well.
“He always needs a run to get back to his best after a break and that effort after a few months off was very good for him. Hopefully he can improve a little on that. We think he can,” Mason commented.

War Artist – will be having his second start for the yard in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint, a race in which he was second last year. He ran well in the prep on Super Saturday (he placed seventh) and trainer Mike DeKock said: “He really rather surprised me the other day and ran a good race. Luck in running is going to be key with 16 runners charging up that straight but I am very pleased with him and he can run well definitely with conditions to suit him.”

[mayo]

Good info FK. this is all we get on AOB's

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.

[Royal Tan]

Do the UK and Irish horses get overbet in these events ?

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Dubai, UAE, 26 March 2012 - Luca Cumani is banking on a fast pace in the Group 1 US$5 million Dubai Duty Free, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free, to bring out the best in Presvis as the British challenger prepares to win the race for the second consecutive year.

Ryan Moore cut through the pack 12 months ago aboard the eight-year-old to score by ¾ of a length, but slow early fractions in his two prep runs have seen him perform below his best.

He has finished fifth and ninth in his two outings at this year’s Dubai World Cup Carnival and those performances have left Cumani wondering whether Presvis’s best days may be behind him.

“His prep races have not been ideal and have not told us a lot as there has been no pace,” said the Italian-born trainer.

“There is a question mark over whether he is still the horse he was. He is now an eight-year-old and perhaps he is on the wane but we won’t know whether that is the case until we get a race run to suit him,” he continued. “We need to find out if he can still hack it on this circuit or if he needs to go on the senior tour.

“He is an 8-year-old now so he looks older but he still looks good. He still looks as good as ever and works as well as he has, but there is a difference between a piece of work and a race. All the signs are that he is the usual Presvis.

“We will see how he runs before deciding whether he again goes to Hong Kong and Singapore, but if the race is not run to suit then we will be none the wiser.”

Presvis has become a regular in Dubai and even before his luckless 11th-place finish in the 2010 Dubai Duty Free, he chased home Gladiatorus in the race 12 months earlier at Nad Al Sheba.

However, despite his good record in the Middle East Cumani is taking nothing for granted.

“I have no confidence about the race,” he said. “I just hope things go his way and that he gets the fast pace he needs and the gaps appear up the straight. If somebody guaranteed those two things then I would be confident but without a guarantee I just have to hope.”

Presvis worked on the all-weather surface Monday morning and Cumani added, “There are five days until the race and I just hope nothing intervenes to change how things are.

“It is not a nice day today but the rain has settled the dust and he is happy enough. He has had a break and then came back out here for the Carnival – there is no point running him in England.”

Moore has partnered Presvis to all but one of his eight career starts which have yielded more than £4.3 million in prize money, and his trainer commented, “Ryan will ride again on Saturday. They get on well and like each other very much

[Forced Kin]

Do the UK and Irish horses get overbet in these events ?

Not sure Royal Tan...could definitely see why it would happen. So You Think will have a big aussie fan club too.

[Forced Kin]

Run Down on Irish Team for Dubai

A strong Irish challenge of nine will do battle for the top flat prizes in the World at the Dubai World Cup meeting at Meydan on Saturday next.

Aidan O'Brien is responsible for six of the nine while David Marnane, Eddie Lynam and Mick Halford all have one runner each.

The first Irish raiders of the meeting are in the Group 2 UAE Derby at 3:25 with the Aidan O’Brien duo of Wrote and Daddy Long Legs set to take part.

Wrote will be partnered by Ryan Moore who guided the son of High Chaparral to victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Juvenile at Churchill Downs in November on his last start.

After winning the Group 2 Juddmonte International Stakes at Newmarket in September Daddy Long Legs then disappointed at the Breeders Cup, finishing a well beaten twelfth in the Dirt Juvenile. Colm O’Donoghue will ride the chestnut colt on Saturday.

Invincible Ash for Mick Halford, Nocturnal Affair for David Marnane and Sole Power for Eddie Lynam will face off in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint on the Turf at 4:00pm.

The trio have already clashed recently over the course and distance with Invincible Ash just getting the better of Sole Power by a short head while Nocturnal Affair was a further half a length back in third.

Invincible Ash will be ridden by Jamie Spencer on Saturday while Johnny Murtagh takes the ride on Sole Power with Ryan Moore set to ride Nocturnal Affair.

Await the Dawn for Aidan and Joseph O’Brien is the sole Irish challenger in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free on the Turf over 1m 1f at 5:25pm.

The 5yo son of Giant’s Causeway notched up a four-timer between 2010 and last season but was then beaten into third by Twice Over in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York in September before finishing well behind stable mate St Nicholas Abbey at the Breeders Cup in November.

Irish Derby hero Treasure Beach and St Nicholas Abbey will line up for the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic over 1m 4f on the Turf at 6:00pm.

After winning the Derby Treasure Beach added the Secretariat Stakes to his collection of wins at Arlington in September. However he then disappointed in the Prix De L’Arc before finished third on his last start at Woodbine in Canada in October.

St Nicholas Abbey on the other hand won the Coronation Cup at Epsom in June before finishing third in the Champion Stakes at Ascot and the Prix Foy at Longchamp in September.

After running another creditable race to finish fifth in the Prix De L’Arc he then rounded off his season with an excellent win in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Churchill Downs in November.

Jamie Spencer will take the ride of Treasure Beach while Joseph O’Brien will ride St Nicholas Abbey.

So You Think will fly the flag for Ireland in the final race on the card, the richest flat race in the world, the Dubai World Cup over 1m 2f at 6:40pm.

Joseph O’Brien will ride the 6yo son of High Chaparral, who won three Group 1's last season including the Tattersalls Gold Cup, the Irish Champion Stakes and the Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown.

Having finished a respectable fourth in the Prix De L’Arc he was then surprisingly beaten in the English Champion Stakes in October before he disappointed in the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs in November.

[Rhinestone Cowboy]

Couldnt telll you how fair this or not but came across it with the Cheltenham 2013 stuff ( which was good)

DUBAI, U.A.E. - The finale of the Dubai Carnival takes place at Meydan on Saturday with the Dubai World Cup rounding everything off in the last race. The supporting card is also full of quality, however, and the penultimate race is the Sheema Classic, which is run on the turf course over 1m4f. The total prize pot is $5million, and there will be some star names taking part.

A select field of only ten are entered in the race so far, and currently Cirrus des Aigles just shades favouritism, at a general 11/4 (bet £40 to make £110 profit). Corine Barande-Barbe's gelding finally claimed a Group 1 success last season, with a victory over So You Think in the Champion Stakes at Ascot over ten furlongs. He seems equally effective over twelve furlongs though, and has the benefit of a recent run, when beaten by World Cup contender Zazou at Chantilly earlier in the month. A line can be drawn through that result though, with Cirrus never at his best after a break, and he should be spot on after that. He is drawn in stall eight which should be fine.

Next in the betting is the Aidan O'Brien trained St Nicholas Abbey who has 4lbs to find with Cirrus des Aigles on official figures. He is also a general 11/4, but is offered at a standout 3/1 by William Hill. The five-year-old was a champion juvenile, but ran only once as a three-year-old, when finishing sixth in the 2000 Guineas. He won two Group 1 races over 1m4f last year, first the Coronation Cup at Epsom, before running out an impressive winner of the Breeders Cup Turf at Churchill Downs.

The main concern is that he will be lacking in fitness, having not run since October. He was beaten in a listed race over ten furlongs in his seasonal debut last season, and could be a hard horse to get fit. However, O'Brien seems to be strongly targetting this meeting this year, sending over six horses, and so it is unlikely that he will need the run too much. There is a suggestion that St Nicholas Abbey is better on a left-handed track, with all of his defeats last season coming on right-handed tracks. Meydan is a left handed handed course, which should suit.

Third favourite for the race is William Haggas's unbeaten colt Beaten Up, who was last seen when easily winning a Group 3 at the back end of last season. He has a good draw in stall five, and having run only three times so far, there could be any amount of improvement to come from him. He will be ridden by Johnny Murtagh, which is obviously a plus, and although he has nine lbs to make up with Cirrus des Aigles, that should easily be in his scope for one so lightly raced. He is a general 5/1 shot.

Treasure Beach is Ballydoyle's second representative in the race, and is a best priced 8/1 with bet365. He picked up two Group 1 wins last season, in the Irish Derby and the Secretariat Stakes in America, and there should be more to come from him. As the stable's supposed second string, he could be slightly underrated, and the fitness doubt is not as pronounced as with St Nicholas Abbey as Treasure Beach won on his seasonal bow last season.

Godolphin's main hope is Cavalryman who will be ridden by Frankie Dettori, and is a 14/1 shot with Betvictor. He has had a race in Dubai already, when finishing second to Mikhail Glinka, and there was much to like about that performance, with the six-year-old finishing by far the best of the hold up horses, in a race when four of the first five home were in the first six throughout. Cavalryman was held up, and ran on most encouragingly, before only finding one too good, and he although he has a lot to find with the principles on official figures, it is easy to see him running into a place.

Bold Silvano has much to prove after two disappointing runs so far this season, and is a general 16/1 shot, while Shimraan is Goldolphin's second string and has to break from the wide outside. He is at 16/1 with Betvictor. Mahbooba and Songcraft are both 20/1 with Betvictor, and Jakkalberry is generally available at 33/1.

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SO YOU THINK, favourite for the Dubai World Cup, will mount his challenge from stall four of 14 after the draw for the world's richest race was conducted on Wednesday.

Aidan O'Brien's contender will have second-favourite Smart Falcon next door in stall five, while Game On Dude, third in at 7-1, was last out of the hat and as a consequence is widest of all in stall 14.

Coral pushed out Game On Dude to 10-1 (from 7), but part-owner Bernie Schiappa refused to be downcast and said: "It is the perfect position. That is our lucky number. My dear friend Terry Lane passed away last year and he died on the 14th."

Paddy Power reacted to the draw by Cutting So You Think into 5-2 favourite (from 3-1).

Of Godolphin's four challengers, Monterosso fared best in stall eight, while Capponi [11], Prince Bishop [12] and Mendip [13] will have to overcome wide draws.

Trainers were quick to pick stalls in the middle of the field believing that is the place to be, with Royal Delta first out and connections plumping for stall seven.

Dubai World Cup Draw in full

1. Master Of Hounds
2. Eishin Flash
3. Zazou
4. So You Think
5. Smart Falcon
6. Planteur
7. Royal Delta
8. Monterosso
9. Silver Pond
10. Transcend
11. Capponi
12. Prince Bishop
13. Mendip
14. Game On Dude

[Forced Kin]

http://http://www.fatjockey.com/news-blogs/racing_news.php?Dubai-World-Cup-Draw-67

[flatman]

Thursdays Dubai Racing Club Notes

Group 1 US$10 million Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline

Capponi – The four-year-old chestnut has improved 18 lbs this year over his four outings at Meydan which were in handicaps until he raced in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round III.

Ridden boldly by Ahmed Ajtebi, who chased the pace before going for home in the straight, Capponi won decisively by four lengths.

Trainer Mahmoud Al Zarooni said: “Capponi has done remarkably well throughout the Carnival, showing great improvement. His last run was excellent and he just loves the all-weather surface. Ahmed has built up a good rapport with the horse and gets on very well with him.”

Eishin Flash - Trainer Hideaki Fujiwara commented, “Eishin Flash has been laid off since last year’s Grand Prix Arima Kinen (2nd) and galloped yesterday, so he just got familiarized with the starting gate after he cantered easily on the all-weather course. He fits very well, which is the most important thing. Thanks to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed [bin Rashid Al Maktoum], we can be here to compete on the best stage. The best thing is that the same thing will be happened as last year (Japanese 1-2 finish). I trust my horse.”

Game on Dude - Drew post 14 cantered 2,000m Thursday morning on the main track at Meydan Racecourse, after spending a few minutes standing in the starting gate.
The son of Awesome Again was hesitant to walk into the starting stalls, which are narrower than what he would experience in the United States. As a result, the starting crew backed him out and reloaded him two additional times as photographers snapped off hundreds of photos. Despite his resistance, Game On Dude did not display anxiety, either behind the gate or in the stalls.

After standing quietly, the assistant starters opened the front doors of the gate by hand and led the multiple graded stakes winner out. Walking out the front doors of the starting gate, rather than backing out, is a common practice at racetracks in the gelding’s home state of California.

Trainer Tim Yakteen, a former assistant to trainer Bob Baffert, is in Dubai to supervise Game On Dude’s training. After the 2011 Santa Anita Handicap winner cantered away, Yakteen turned to Bernie Schiappa, part owner of Game On Dude, and said, “Today there’s a lot more energy. It’s good. They’re going to have a lot more going on race night as well.”

Mendip – All bar one of his 10 runs has been at Meydan where he runs well on the all-weather surface. The most recent of his six successes came in the Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round II on February 9 but he was down the field last time out.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: “Mendip won the second round of the Al Maktoum Challenge which was good to see. We felt there might have been an excuse last time in the final round of the Al Maktoum Challenge because he banged himself coming out of the starting gates. Kieren Fallon, who rode him that day, said he was never travelling afterwards. Mendip seems in very good order but he needs to improve to have a realistic chance.”

Monterosso –The five-year-old switched from racing well on turf to finishing a close third on all-weather in the 2011 Dubai World Cup. His first race since then came on March 10 in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round III over the same course and distance when he finished a promising fourth.

Trainer Mahmoud Al Zarooni said: “Monterosso needed his first race of 2012 but ran well - he has improved for that outing. He will be a lot sharper in the Dubai World Cup and did very well in the race last year. He was off for a long time afterwards but seems back in the same sort of form.”

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. He cleared quarantine Thursday morning and appeared on the all-weather track for the first time.

“He did a lap round the course and seemed happy in his surroundings,” said Botti. “He had a smooth journey over, travelled well and has drunk plenty of water. He looks fresh and well and his coat is nice and shiny. He will go back out on the racetrack tomorrow morning but it will be early as it is getting very hot.”

Prince Bishop – He disappointed when 10th in the 2011 Dubai World Cup but has won two of his last four races. His final outing of 2011 resulted in a Listed race success on polytrack at Kempton Park, UK, and he was also successful in a 2,000m handicap on the all-weather at Meydan on January 20. His most recent outing came in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round III when he stayed on in third.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: “Prince Bishop has done well in Dubai through the winter but this is a bigger test. We hope he can run a good race in the Dubai World Cup but he needs to show more than he has done so far to be competitive.”

Royal Delta — Besilu Stables’ American champion filly galloped with her usual eye-catching style on March 29 at Meydan, her ears pricked and her stride long and easy as she travelled approximately 2,200m (about 1 3/8 miles).

“It was just a regular gallop, nothing fancy,” said American Racing Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. “But she looked great to me. We wouldn’t change a thing.”

Mott, who made history by saddling the inaugural Dubai World Cup winner Cigar, is trying for another record with Royal Delta, who would be the first female runner to win. Since the post position draw on March 28, during which Mott got first choice and selected his lucky number, seven, he has been studying the form for the field.

“It looks like there is some good speed in the race—Game On Dude, Smart Falcon and Capponi. We could be in a stalking position just behind the leaders. Hopefully, we’re not far off them.”

Royal Delta is known for her strong stretch run, so if she can keep a good position early, she will be ready to rally in the stretch.

Smart Falcon - Jockey Yutaka Take gave Smart Falcon a routine canter and jogged on the stretch course on the all-weather.
Take said, “I mounted him for the first time since I worked him at home on 15th. He was fresh, maybe too fresh this morning and wanted to go faster at the final turn, so I jogged on the stretch. He did not look like that he had lost some weight from the transport, which I heard from the connections. He is rather in a pretty good form.

“As for the all-weather, it is my first experience to work over the surface, and it is sticky and needs more power. I think Smart Falcon suits the track very well. He has lots of experiences running at many racecourses in Japan, and it is a very good thing for him to get familiar with the new surroundings.
“I am very proud of being to be here and run in the Dubai World Cup, one of the most prestige stages in the world horse racing. I was supposed to run in the Dubai World Cup 2003 with Gold Allure, but we had to cancel the travel. Dubai World Cup is I have always dreamed of, and I am very happy to come back again with the son of Gold Allure.”

So You Think - Aidan O’Brien’s Australian import appeared for the second time this week and did light exercise on the main all-weather track.

Trancend – Transcend did not appear on the main track at Meydan Thursday morning.

[flatman]

What to make of the Treasure Beach comment ?

Group 1 US$5 million Dubai Sheema Classic, presented by Longines

Beaten Up - William Haggas’s lightly-raced four-year-old stepped out on to the track for the first having cleared quarantine and will bid to maintain his unbeaten record having won all three of his starts last year.

“He has travelled very well and I am happy with him,” said Haggas. “He cantered over [1,200m] this morning and will do more tomorrow. He is progressive but is taking on serious horses – a Champion Stakes winner, a Breeders’ Cup winner and an Irish Derby winner to name but three. I am under no illusion of the task he faces and it may come early in his career but you can’t win if you don’t try.”

Cavalryman – The six-year-old has raced in 12 Group 1 races, winning one of them. He was largely disappointing during 2011 but performed much better when a fast-finishing second in the Group 2 Dubai City Of Gold at Meydan on March 10.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: “Cavalryman ran very well in his prep race and it was his best run for some time. He was fresh and well that day and seems to be going into this race in good order but has to continue his comeback.”

Cirrus des Aigles - French raider Cirrus Des Aigles went onto the grass track this morning under jockey Olivier Peslier. His trainer Corinne Barande Barbe said: “He did a canter on the turf. He is very relaxed and looks in fine form. He looks light, but one mustn’t forget that he is a gelding. In fact, he is well in his racing weight.”

Peslier said: "It will be the first time I have ridden him in a race but I know the horse very well from Europe and he will be happier back on turf. Stamina is not an issue. I had a spin on him this morning which will have loosened him up nicely and he goes into Saturday's race with a big chance."

Jakkalberry – The English raider was checked over this morning by trainer Marco Botti, who said: “He did his last serious piece of work on Sunday. That went well and I am happy with him.”

Shimraan – A Group 2 winner in France, Shimraan has not performed up to his best in two Dubai World Cup Carnival races this year.

Trainer Mahmoud Al Zarooni said: “Shimraan has had a couple of slightly disappointing runs out here. However, he has been going well in his work and I expect him to perform better. We should find out whether he stays a truly-run 12 furlongs.”

Songcraft – This lightly-raced four-year-old won his first four races and was not disgraced when third in the Group 2 Dubai City Of Gold at Meydan on Super Saturday, March 10.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: “Songcraft has been very consistent and I think there is more to come. However, he needs to improve quite a lot to make an impact in this tougher company.”

St Nicholas Abbey/Treasure Beach – The Ballydoyle team of Aidan O’Brien’s made the track for the second time this week with the latter getting slightly warm by the end of his work under jockey Jamie Spencer.

The rider said: “He just did a gentle canter. They are all fit and well and Aidan is happy with them. I’m looking forward to the night and it is a great concept.”

[flatman]

Official DRC Preview of Dubai World Cup

Dubai, UAE, 30 March 2012 - The 2012 Group 1 US$10million Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline, the world's most valuable horse race, looks wide open with the maximum field of 14 declared for the 2,000m all-weather feature.

American trainer Bill Mott won the inaugural running with Cigar back in 1996 and looks to make history again when saddling Royal Delta, last year's Group 1 Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic and seeking to become the first filly or mare to win this race.

Mott had first choice at Wednesday's draw and elected for stall seven meaning his filly is ideally berthed in the centre. Sold for US$8.5million after her Breeders' Cup win, she appears to hold decent claims to recoup a large chunk of that purchase price.

The second American challenger, Game On Dude, is to be ridden by Chantal Sutherland who becomes the first woman to ride in the race. Trainer Bob Baffert is seeking his third win in the race having already won with Silver Charm (1998) and Captain Steve (2001).

Runner-up in last year's Group 1 Breeders' Cup Classic, Game On Dude is an habitual front-runner so the widest stall of all (14) looks far from ideal and Sutherland will need to be at her very best if they are to win.

American challengers have won the race on eight previous occasions (Cigar 1996, Silver Charm 1998, Captain Steve 2001, Pleasantly Perfect 2004, Roses in May 2005, Invasor 2007, Curlin 2008, Well Armed 2009) whereas the Japanese opened their account last year when Transcend chased home compatriot Victoire Pisa and they have three runners this year. Transcend bids to go one better this year but arrives having been well beaten in his prep race, the Group 1 February Stakes, which he won last year.

Eishin Flash is a quality performer who found only the remarkable Orfevre too good on his most recent start in the Group 1 Arima Kinen (Grand Prix). That was on Christmas Day but he has looked in good form on the gallops this week and should run well.

Eishin Flash does not win as often as you would like though for one of his ability but that is not an accusation you could aim at their third runner, Smart Falcon, who has not been beaten since the autumn of 2010. He is seeking a tenth consecutive victory and is transferring his dirt form to the all-weather looks a major threat.

The international favourite is So You Think, now trained in Ireland by Aidan O'Brien, for whom he has won three Group 1 contests having previously won in Group 1 company on five occasions in Australia.

This will be his first race on the all-weather but he ran well for a long way when behind Game On Dude at the Breeders' Cup and the Meydan surface should suit him better than the dirt at Churchill Downs on that occasion.

Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor is the most successful trainer in the history of the race having saddled five winners (Almutawakel 1999, Dubai Millennium 2000, Street Cry 2002, Moon Ballad 2003 and Electrocutionist 2006). He has two hopes this year with Frankie Dettori riding Prince Bishop who was tenth in this race last year. He did win a Meydan handicap impressively in January but has since been fifth and third in Al Maktoum Challenges II (Group 2) and III (Group 1) respectively.

Round II was won by stable companion Mendip who will be ridden by Silvestre De Sousa on Saturday. All his best form has been on the all-weather but he was well beaten in Round III when he may have hurt himself before the race.

That third round of the Al Maktoum Challenge was won by Capponi, trained by fellow Godolphin handler Mahmoud Al Zarooni with Ahmed Ajtebi in the saddle as he is again. Arguably the most improved horse in the UAE throughout the Dubai World Cup Carnival, Capponi has been first past the post on his last three starts and appears to remain very much on an upward curve.

Al Zarooni has not saddled the winner of this race yet but has only saddled two runners previously, both of whom have finished third, including Monterosso last year.

On his first run since, he was fourth behind Capponi on Super Saturday when surely in need of the outing and he should run well again under Mickael Barzalona who has ridden him in all four of his UAE outings.

South African Mike de Kock has not won the race yet but has gone close with Asiatic Boy, Lizard's Desire and Victory Moon all being placed in the race.

This year he relies on Master Of Hounds who has been drawn in stall one. Runner-up in last year's Group 2 UAE Derby, sponsored by The Saeed and Mohammed Al Naboodah Group, when trained by Aidan O'Brien, he was placed on his first three 2012 starts for his new trainer before winning the Group 1 Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday. He would need a career best to repeat that victory here.

Marco Botti trains Planteur and connections were delighted when he received the final invitation to the race. A genuine Group 1 performer in Europe, he is having his first start for Botti and initial run on an all-weather surface. He rates a genuinely interesting contender for a talented young trainer.

Doug Watson may have saddled two runners in this race before but Silver Pond would have to be his best chance to date after an excellent local debut when beating all bar Capponi on Super Saturday.

That was his first start on the all-weather and first outing of the year and he is expected to have improved considerably for the run.Trained in Germany, Zazou has a new owner on the eve on the race. The mount of Olivier Peslier, he won a Dubai World Cup trial at Chantilly to prove his liking for synthetic surfaces and looked in great shape, under Peslier, on the track at the Breakfast With The Stars event on Thursday.

[flatman]

DRC Preview of Sheema Desrt Classic

Dubai, UAE, 30 March 2012 - Only 10 have been declared for the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic, presented by Longines over 2410m on the turf, but it is a select field of horses mostly proven at the highest level.

Aidan O'Brien would appear to have a very strong hand with both Treasure Beach, winner of last year's Group 1 Irish Derby having been denied in the dying strides in the English equivalent and multiple Group 1 winner St Nicholas Abbey.

The trainer's son, Joseph, rides the latter and the pair made history when landing last year's Group 1 Breeders' Cup Turf with the jockey becoming the youngest ever to ride a winner at America's flagship meeting.

Also doubly represented is South African Mike de Kock and Bold Silvano runs here having been re-routed from the Dubai World Cup race after two disappointing all-weather runs this year.

His turf form in their homeland was very good and he is one of the night's most interesting runners given the switch of surfaces. Always held in the highest regard, hopefully he can bounce back on turf.

He will be ridden by Christophe Soumillon with Kevin Shea on stable companion Mahbooba who will appreciate the step up to this trip having won twice over 1,800m at the Dubai World Cup Carnival, one of which was the Group 2 Balanchine.

With Soumillon retained to partner Bold Silvano, Olivier Peslier picks up the plum spare ride on French challenger Cirrus Des Aigles, winner of last year's Champion Stakes at Ascot when beating Dubai World Cup favourite So You Think.

Peslier's mount was also being aimed at the world's most valuable horse race but connections elected for this race after he was beaten by Zazou and Peslier in a trial race at Chantilly four weeks ago.

William Haggas saddles the unbeaten four-year-old Beaten Up who did not race as a juvenile but won all three starts last year working through maiden and conditions company to land the Group 3 St Simon Stakes at Newbury. This is obviously a big step up in class but the horse has done nothing wrong thus far.

Marco Botti trains Jakkalberry, a second runner for the UK and one who will be hoping for a good gallop as he was staying on well over 2,810m last time in the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy to finish third.

Godolphin have three runners with Frankie Dettori riding Cavalryman, one of two trained by Saeed bin Suroor. He was just in front of stable companion Songcraft (the pair dead heated for third in the Group 2 Dubai City of Gold) on Super Sarurday when Shimraan, trained by fellow Godolphin handler Mahmoud Al Zarooni, was well beaten.