Hope not! :eek: :D

I think is a fix race........ Curlin must shine on:cool:

:D

For those who can't get enough of Curlin, picture of him with Poncho.....

http://www.emiratesracing.com/era/index.cfm

That was heading into the paddock to school. Gotodubai and I spoke this moring. He said Curlin was as relaxed and well behaved in the paddock and gate schooling as any horse he's seen. He looks great, in good weight with a gleaming coat.

http://s205.photobucket.com/albums/b...nny999/Curlin/

Nice pictures.

I hope Familiar Territory looks good too. :)

Form comments, UAE Oaks, from our friends at the ERA...

http://www.emiratesracing.com/era/Ne...?ContentID=543

Hi,
Heard Asmussen last night on HRTV, does not sound like they are going to do anything more than give Curlin a hand ride around the track. He emphasized the goal is the World Cup. Looked at the PPs and have to give Familiar Territory a great chance at winning. 3rd off the layoff, proven at the distance vs. large fields, I'll play him to win, although I do not think I'll get 4/1, hope I get at least 5/2 though.

http://www.churchilldowns.com/news/r...%202.28.08.pdf

Yeah I hope FT wins.

edit - I mean I reeeeeallly want Imperialista but I don't think he's got a shot here. FT does though.....

* * *

Swallow Star (gotta love that name :D ) is scratched from the Oaks.....

yes this is only a workout for Curlin, not the goal, so its really not wise to bet on him, also considering the weights (Familiar Territory gets 14 lbs off his sharp win two weeks ago)

Aren't they saying that just incase?

Aren't they covering themselves AJ?

no, because its true. Curlin probably has nothing to fear from that field if it was at equal weights and if it was THE target race, but it isn't.

If it wasn't for Familiar Territory I'd say Curlin would win even in workout mode. But that horse has ran particularily well on dirt at 10 furlongs and has a couple of recent races under his belt so he has a racing fitness edge over Curlin. His last race was in fast time and the rest of the field he beat was strung out badly. The horse looks sharp and although he is five he's only raced 10 times, mostly on turf.

To me a sharp horse with a big weight break can often beat a better horse.

Okay. I get your point.

Curlin wins in a handride, never really asked.
Familiar Territory Second
Jet Express third

Joy to the world.

Back around page 2 or 3, wasn't there a post by someone saying he would eat his hat if Hard Top won?

Bon Appetit!:D

Should have stuck with my sentimental guys in the contest.....

Thrilled for Doug getting R1!:)

I don't want to see the replay if he was hurt.....

Gharir... RF? What does that mean?

So it was.
To easy, nothing to show, just a walk in the park, no wip.
They are just make belive......... Will see the true when the real big boys arrive. :rolleyes:

The Godolphin plan.....

DWC... Jalil, Happy Boy

Golden Shaheen... Diabolical

Godolphin Mile... Elusive Warning and possibly Blackat Blackitten

Duty Free... Ramonti

Sheema Classic..... Literator might run here now (but still possible for the DWC)

UAE Derby..... Cocoa Beach, Numaany, possibly Etched

MUCH THE REAL OPTION IS COCOA BEACH:p :p :p

Where is Schiaparelli??

GERMANY?....:D

Feel better, Ramonti. Hope you make it there..... (you too, Happy Boy. Both have infections).

The new Godolphin plan...


World Cup: Happy Boy, Jalil
Duty Free: Creachadoir, Ramonti, West Wind
Sheema Classic: Gravitas, Literato
Golden Shaheen: Afrashad, Diabolical
UAE Derby: Etched, My Indy, Numaany
Godolphin Mile: Blackat Blackitten, Elusive Warning

On Poppy, from the DRC...



‘Expect a very different Seachange’ in the Dubai Duty Free


Connections of New Zealand’s champion mare Seachange have warned racegoers to expect a very different horse on Dubai World Cup night to the one that finished sixth on her UAE bow on March 6.

The seven-time Group 1-winning mare will line up for the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free on March 29, and those involved with the five-year-old are confident she will improve considerably on her last run in the Group 2 Jebel Hatta on March 6.

Racing Manager Rick Williams believes the daughter of Cape Cross is fully capable of winning the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free run over 1,777m on the turf course here at Nad Al Sheba.

“She has improved a lot from the run as we expected she would and we anticipate she will run really well on the big night,” he said.

“She will be much fitter and hopefully we will get a better draw than what we had in the Jebel Hatta.”

The mare, who is prepared by New Zealand-based trainer Ralph Manning, was drawn 16 of 16 for her first race here in Dubai, but managed to battle on to score sixth place, just over two lengths behind the winner Lord Admiral.

“She had to use a bit of gas at the start of the race to overcome the draw but she ran on well until she gave out in the final 100m,” Williams continued.

“She came into the race after a four-week break which is not ideal for her as she’s a horse that needs to run every two weeks.

“We would have preferred to run her over 1400m first time up to get her fitness back but she has come out of the race well and is training up a storm in the mornings.”

The five-year-old mare will be bidding to make history for her home nation as the first New Zealand-trained horse to win at the Dubai World Cup meeting, a feat that Williams says would mark “a fantastic achievement for the entire racing and breeding industry in New Zealand”.

The Karreman Bloodstock flag-bearer will face a tough field in the US$5 million race with likely challenges from the star European fillies, Group 1 Prix du Moulin winner Darjina and Jim Bolger’s dual 1,000 Guineas heroine Finsceal Beo, Japanese hope Vodka, and Godolphin’s multiple Group 1 winner Ramonti.

Williams’ confidence is not diminished however, stating: “We appreciate some of the best horses in the world will show up but we expect her to be competitive.

“All indications are that she will be ready to give her best this time round. Expect a very different horse on Dubai World Cup night”.

Red Rocks is out.....

Wath about Daiwa Scarlet and Literato. Are they still in? :p

The beautiful Ms. Daiwa Scarlet, future queen of the world, got woodchips in her eye during a workout a while back and had to miss this one.

She's currently getting ready to beat M. Samson in the Osaka Hai (April 6th?). :D

Literato to the Sheema Classic.....

My dear MMS: I forget under wath name Premium Tap is racing: Will you help me?.... Thanks. :o KSS.

Allam :) ... and I guess he's once again possible (probable).....


Trackwork - March 18

MAIN TRACK Quijano – 800mts/48.75sec, 600mts/35.17sec, 400mts/22.99sec. Travelled well on the bit from 1400 and picked up from 600. Responded well when urged in the last 400m, finished well.

Latency - 800mts/51.77sec, 600mts/36.75sec, 400mts/23.39. Started work from 2400 and travelled well all thorough in hand. Picked up pace from 800 and stretched well in last 200m, finishing in 11.17sec

Sushisan – 600mts/33.11sec, 400mts/21.21sec. Started cantering from 1200 and picked up from 800. Worked very well on tight reins, finishing with plenty in hand in the back stretch. Impressive workout.

Linngari and Jay Peg – 400mts/21.40sec. Picked up from 450mts straight into gallop and urged well to the wining post. Both responded well with Linngari finishing well.

TURF TRACK Seachange – 600mts/37.81 and 400mts/24.77. Started canter from 1800 and moved well on tight reins throughou. Picked up pace from 800 and responded well finishing on tight reins.



Likely fields for Dubai World Cup meeting

A record-equalling field of 13, led by US Horse of the Year, Curlin, could go to post for the US$6million 2008 Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline, on March 29.

The Dubai Racing Club today reveals the likely fields for the seven races at the US$21.25million race meeting, the world’s richest raceday, which could see horses representing trainers from as many as 16 countries.

The final fields will be declared on Monday, March 24, and then released at the Post Position Draw ceremony on Wednesday, March 26.

The 2000 running of the world’s richest race, won by Dubai Millennium, attracted 13 runners too, and this year’s renewal should also live long in the memory.

The top-rated horse in the world, Curlin, is set to face tough competition from Godolphin’s duo of Happy Boy and Jalil, winners of the Maktoum Challenge Rounds 1 and 3.

The 2007 Dubai World Cup runner-up and fourth, Premium Tap and Vermilion, are also earmarked for the 2000m showpiece on dirt, as well as last year’s UAE Derby winner Asiatic Boy.

There are three other Group 1 races on the card, headlined by the Dubai Sheema Classic, sponsored by Nakheel.

The US$5million contest is sure to have a maximum field of 16 runners, in which Hong Kong champion Viva Pataca will bid to emulate Vengeance Of Rain, who won the race last year. Connections of Youmzain, third in the 12 months ago, and the globetrotting Doctor Dino will also fancy their chances of victory.

The US$5million Dubai Duty Free, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free, also looks likely to have 16 runners, headed by the top-class fillies, Darjina, Finsceal Beo, Vodka, Seachange, West Wind and Majestic Roi.

The other Group 1 race on the card is the US$2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen, sponsored by Gulf News, which sees the usual strong American challenge, led by Idiot Proof and Benny The Bull, as well as Godolphin’s Diabolical, who was so impressive when winning the Mahab Al Shimaal on Super Thursday.

The US$2m UAE Derby, sponsored by Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group, features the South African-trained duo of Royal Vintage and Honour Devil, who have dominated the UAE three-year-old division this season.

The other thoroughbred race on the card is the US$1million Godolphin Mile, sponsored by Etisalat, in which American raider Barcola will aim to give back-to-back wins for Paul Reddam, following Spring At Last’s win 12 months ago.

The best Purebred Arabians in the world line up for the Dubai Kahayla Classic, sponsored by Emaar Properties, and will see Madjani attempt a record-breaking fourth win in the race.



HK watch... Bullish Luck and Floral peg leave today, Viva pataca on Thursday.....

Dansant to the Sheema Classic.....

DRC.....


Fourteen American runners on way to Dubai


With no last-minute changes reported, the 14 American-based runners who were scheduled to fly to the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday for races on the US$21,250,000 Dubai World Cup (Gr.1) program proceeded as planned, according to shipping company Mersant International Ltd.

Flights that departed from Los Angeles International Airport in California and Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport in Florida carrying seven horses each were due to arrive in Dubai on Wednesday evening after a refueling stop in England. Once in Dubai, the 14 American horses were to join Horse of the Year Curlin, who has been based at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse for almost a month.

Overall, the powerful American contingent has earned just shy of $16 million and has amassed 30 graded stakes wins.

Curlin not only leads the group in his titles as best horse in the United States and 2007 champion three-year-old male, he also is the top earner with $5,207,800, or an astounding average of $520,780 in each of his ten career starts, which include victories in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (Gr.1), Preakness Stakes (Gr.1) and Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (Gr.1).

Expected to be a strong favorite in the $6 million Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline, Curlin is owned by Jess Jackson’s Stonestreet Stables in partnership with Midnight Cry Stable. Regular rider Robby Albarado will be back aboard for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Better Talk Now, winner of the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Turf (Gr.1) and four other Grade 1 races, has made the most starts of the group during his remarkable eight-season career. The nine-year-old gelding has raced 42 times, winning 14 events and placing another nine times while earning $4,054,288 for Bushwood Stables and trainer Graham Motion.

The other runners that have earned more than $500,000 each include Dubai World Cup contenders A. P. Arrow, with $1,128,290, and Great Hunter, with $790,500; Grade 1 winners Benny the Bull, with $633,550, and Idiot Proof, with $863,204, before their starts in the $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen (Gr.1), sponsored by Gulf News; Grade 2 winner Diamond Stripes, with $875,645 prior to contesting the Etisalat-sponsored $1 million Godolphin Mile (Gr.2); Grade 2 winner Spring House, with $544,284 before running in the $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic (Gr.1), sponsored by Nakheel; and Grade 2 winner Notional, with $515,740 before his potential start in the Godolphin Mile.

Trainer Doug O’Neill has said he would prefer to start Notional in the $5 million Dubai Duty Free (Gr.1), but a slot in that race has not opened up to date for the four-year-old colt by In Excess who is owned by J. Paul Reddam. Last year, Reddam and O’Neill combined to win the Godolphin Mile with Spring At Last.

Other American-based runners that are slated to run on the March 29 Dubai World Cup program are Well Armed, who will race in the evening’s main event; Massive Drama, who will try to make history as the first American-based horse to win the $2 million UAE Derby (Gr.2); Barcola, another Reddam-owned runner for the Godolphin Mile; Dubai Golden Shaheen entrant Esperamos, who holds a five-race win streak; and California-based sprinters Barbecue Eddie and Bushwacker, both also set for the Dubai Golden Shaheen.

Mr. Brown Power?
 

SUSHISAN TAKES HIS PLACE IN SHEEMA CLASSIC
Fifth place finisher of the Sheema Classic last year behind the retired Vengeance of Rain, Sushisan has been invited to run in the Dubai Sheema Classic.
The VIP Thoroughbreds managed runner will contest the 2400m event for the 2nd time in two years after an unlucky path to the line last year where he was interfered with throughout the race. The field seems to always attract the best 2400m runners from around the world but trainer Brown says that Sushisan is well and rearing to go in this renewal.
Sushisan has also been nominated for races in Hong Kong and Singapore but "he's well now and we will definitely take our chances here" said his trainer.
Jay Peg, the other world cup night runner, will contest the Dubai Duty Free along with stable star, Linngari bringing the number of runners for the night for the stable to three.
http://www.vipthoroughbreds.com/images/sushisan270407(500).jpg

Is Almost Ready
 

DUBAI WORLD CUP Trainer
A P ARROW Todd Pletcher
ASIATIC BOY Mike De Kock
CURLIN Steve Asmussen
GLORIA DE CAMPEAO Pascal Bary
GREAT HUNTER Doug O'Neill
HAPPY BOY Saeed Bin Suroor
JALIL Saeed Bin Suroor
KOCAB Andre Fabre
LUCKY FIND Mike De Kock
PREMIUM TAP Julio Gardel
SWAY YED Saud S Al Kahtani
VERMILION Sei Ishazaka
WELL ARMED Eoin Harty

DUBAI SHEEMA CLASSIC
BETTER TALK NOW Graham Motion
DOCTOR DINO Richard Gibson
GOWER SONG David Elsworth
GRAVITAS Saeed Bin Suroor
LATENCY Juan Udaondo
LITERATO Saeed Bin Suroor
MOURILYAN John Oxx
ORACLE WEST Mike De Kock
QUIJANO Peter Schiergen
SPRING HOUSE Julio Canani
SUN CLASSIQUE Mike De Kock
SUSHISAN Herman Brown
VIVA PATACA John Moore
YELLOWSTONE Jane Chapple-Hyam
YOUMZAIN Mick Channon

DUBAI DUTY FREE
ADMIRE AURA Hiroyoshi Matsuda
ARCHIPENKO Mike De Kock
BULLISH LUCK Tony Cruz
CREACHADOIR Saeed Bin Suroor
DARJINA Alain De Royer Dupre
FINSCEAL BEO Jim Bolger
FLORAL PEGASUS Tony Cruz
JAY PEG Herman Brown
LINNGARI Herman Brown
LORD ADMIRAL Charles O'Brien
MAJESTIC ROI Mick Channon
NICONERO David Hayes
RAMONTI Saeed Bin Suroor
SEACHANGE Ralph Manning
VODKA Katsuhiko Sumii
WEST WIND Saeed Bin Suroor

DUBAI GOLDEN SHAHEEN
AFRASHAD Saeed Bin Suroor
BARBECUE EDDIE Brian J Koriner
BENNY THE BULL Richard Dutrow Jr
BUSHWACKER William Currin
COLBALT BLUE Satish Seemar
DIABOLICAL Saeed Bin Suroor
DRIFT ICE Mike De Kock
ESPERAMOS Wesley Ward
IDIOT PROOF Clifford Sise Jr
MUNADDAM Erwan Charpy
MUTAMARRES Doug Watson
NARC Mike De Kock
NEW FREEDOM Aditiyan Selvaratnam
SALAAM DUBAI Aditiyan Selvaratnam
SARISSA Pascal Bary
STAR CROWNED Rashid Bouresly

UAE DERBY
COCOA BEACH Saeed Bin Suroor
ETCHED Saeed Bin Suroor
HONOUR DEVIL Mike De Kock
IIDE KENSHIN Mitsugu Kon
LIGHT GREEN Pedro Nickel Filho
MASSIVE DRAMA Dale Romans
MY INDY Saeed Bin Suroor
NUMAANY Saeed Bin Suroor
ROCK ASCOT Doug Watson
ROYAL VINTAGE Mike De Kock
STRIKE THE DEAL Jeremy Noseda
YANKADI Barry Hills
ZAIN ALMA AENEE Julio Gardel

GODOLPHIN MILE
ALEUTIAN Fawzi Nass
BAHARAH Gerard Butler
BARCOLA Mark Hennig
BLACKAT BLACKITTEN Saeed Bin Suroor
DIAMOND STRIPES Richard Dutrow Jr
DON RENATO Stephane Chevalier
ELUSIVE WARNING Saeed Bin Suroor
GOLDEN ARROW Erwan Charpy
GREEN COAST Doug Watson
HALKIN Fawzi Nass
JET EXPRESS Ali Rashid Al Raihe
LUCKY FIND Mike De Kock
NOTIONAL Doug O'Neill
ROSBERG Erwan Charpy
WATCH WHAT HAPPENS Sean Woods
ZAKOCITY Ger Smith

DUBAI KAHAYLA CLASSIC
AL JALFANE Watson, Doug
AL MOUTAWAKEL Seemar, Satish
FRYVOLOUS Frazier, James
KANDAR DU FALGAS Watson, Doug
KERBEL LOTOIS Seemar, Satish
MADJANI Duffield, Gillian
MIZZNA Lemartinal, Eric
PARIS GAGNER Watson, Doug
SANTHAL Charpy, Erwan
SHADIYDA Lemartinal, Eric

:rolleyes:

The Duty Free and Sheema Classic look like absolute crackers..

Interesting to see the name Zakocity again.

Ramonti isn't doing well..... no final word YET but.....

Absolutely cannot wait for the Duty Free!!!!!

Trackwork.....


Main Track
Fast Work

Oracle West 600mts/35.31sec, 400mts/23.39. Started canter from 1600mts and picked up pace from 800mts. Travelled on the bit with plenty in hand. Good work

Sun Classique 600mts/36.43sec, 400mts/24.53sec. Started canter from 1600mts and picked up pace from 800mts. Travelled easy all through and never extended. Easy Work.

Lucky Find 600mts/33.53sec, 400mts/22.39sec. Started canter from 1600mts and picked up pace from 800mts. Travelled very well on tight reins with plenty in hand. Impressive work.

Honour Devil 600mts/33.07sec, 400mts/21.87sec. Started canter from 1600mts and picked up pace from 800mts. Full of running all through. Impressive work.

Cobalt Blue 800mts/44.80sec, 600mts/33.59sec, 400mts/22.40. He jumped out well out of the gates from 1000mts and was joined by Desert Sand approaching the 600mts. Both were extended and pushed in the final stages.

Open Canter

Youmzain 1 round, travelled very well on tight reins and extended in the back stretch.

Iide Kenshin and Admire Aura Both worked well in hand around the track.

Hack Canter

Vermilion Easy hack around the track.

Vodka Easy work on the bit all through.

Star Crowned Moved on tight reins all thorough.

Jet Express Easy work around the track

Turf Track

Latency 800mts/46.62sec, 600mts/35.17sec, 400mts/23.38sec. Started work from 2400 and travelled on the bridle all through. Started to extend from 1000 and pushed hard in the last 400mts. Good Work.

Royal Vintage and Archipenko – 800mts/47.54, 600mts/35.11, 400mts/23.93sec. Picked up canter from 1400mts and started to stretch from 800mts. Later started 2lenghts behind and finished level. Both were pushed and later was under the whip nearing the 300mts.

Majestic Roi 1400mts/1m25.67sec, 800mts/47.16sec, 600mts/35.5sec and 400mts/24.15. Started work from 1800 and picked up pace from 1400. Majestic Roi was sitting one length behind the lead horse until 400mts and was pushed hard to finish 2 lengths in front passing the post.

Trackwork.....

Dirt Track

Star Crowned – 600mts/40.10sec, 400mts/26.60sec. Moved on tight reins throughout.

Aleutian – 600mts/37.68sec, 400mts/24.26sec. Started work from 1800mts. Moved well sitting one length behind the lead horse until the final bend and responded well in the final 600mts finishing on tight reins.

Halkin – 400mts/23.40sec, 200mts/11.32sec. Travelled well on tight reins throughout and quickened well in the final 400mts.

Turf Track

Munaddam and Emirates Gold - 1000mts/58.35sec, 800mts/45.55sec, 600mts/33.97sec and 400mts/22.01sec. Started work from 1600 and picked up pace from 1200. Munaddam was travelling one length behind the lead horse until 400mts and responded very well to finish seven lengths in front passing the post.

Seachange – 1200mts/1m12.08sec, 1000mts/58.37sec, 800mts/46.18sec, 600mts/34.57sec and 400mts/22.96sec. Started canter from 2000mts and picked up pace from 1300mts. Travelled very well on tight reins entering the straight and pushed in the final 400mts.

Assorted stuff from DRC.....


Massive Drama arrives in Dubai with gusto

Massive Drama was in high spirits this morning (copyright Michele MacDonald)

Living up to his name, UAE Derby (Gr.2, sponsored by Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group) contender Massive Drama made quite an entrance into the Nad Al Sheba Racecourse quarantine area after arriving on Wednesday night following a flight from Florida to Dubai.

“He actually got to the stable and bucked and squealed,” said Henrietta Steele, an assistant to trainer Dale Romans. “He was very naughty.”

Yet that kind of energy showed that the three-year-old son of Kafwain was anything but drained from the trip. And on Saturday, when released from quarantine for his first exercise, Massive Drama jogged eagerly on the main Nad Al Sheba track.

Ridden by Tom Finn, who is in Dubai to help prepare Dubai Sheema Classic (Gr.1) entrant Better Talk Now, Massive Drama appeared to relish being out in the cool desert air.

Steele said she planned to report in to Romans later in the day and confer about what kind of additional exercise Massive Drama should have in the week before the biggest race of his life to date.

Owned by Egyptian-born businessman Ahmed Zayat, Massive Drama is aiming to become the first American-based horse to win the US$2 million UAE Derby.

Formerly trained by two-time Dubai World Cup (Gr.1)-winning trainer Bob Baffert, Massive Drama recently was transferred to Romans, who saddled 2005 Dubai World Cup winner Roses in May, and will be making his first start for his new trainer in the UAE Derby.




Idiot Proof set for major Golden Shaheen effort

As Robert Sise sees it, Grade 1 winner Idiot Proof has been training so well that he is ready for a big performance in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (Gr.1), sponsored by Gulf News.

But how big?

“Hopefully, it will be a winning effort,” said Sise, an assistant to his father, Clifford Sise, who conditions Martin and Pam Wygod’s homebred son of Benchmark.

Idiot Proof handled the trip from California to Dubai “great,” said Robert Sise, who has been working with his father for nine years.

In his first appearance at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, the four-year-old colt “got a little hot walking over” from the barn on Saturday morning but then “galloped well” under jockey Iggy Puglisi, Sise reported.

On Sunday morning, Idiot Proof is slated to breeze five furlongs (about 1,000 meters), he said.

Second and third in two starts this year, Idiot Proof established track records for six furlongs (about 1,200 meters, the same distance as the Dubai Golden Shaheen) at Santa Anita Park and Monmouth Park last year of 1:07.57 and 1:07.47, respectively.

After flashing such blazing speed on both coasts of America, it is clear that Idiot Proof has the talent to win the Dubai Golden Shaheen. But, as with all American starters, “it depends on how he handles the straightaway,” Sise said.

Unlike sprints in America, which generally are run around one turn, the Dubai Golden Shaheen is a straight shot out of a chute down the stretch at Nad Al Sheba.

In 11 career starts, Idiot Proof has won five times and placed five times while earning US$863,204.



Veteran Better Talk Now ‘grand’ after journey


Better Talk Now is one the most experienced horses running at the Dubai World Cup Meeting (copyright Adam Coglianese)

His advanced age may actually help multiple American Grade 1 winner Better Talk Now in some areas—and handling stress could be one of them.

Tom Finn, an assistant to trainer Graham Motion, said Saturday that the nine-year-old Dubai Sheema Classic (Gr.1, sponsored by Nakheel) entrant endured the long trip from Florida to Dubai in fine form.

In his first exercise since the journey, Better Talk Now jogged six furlongs (about 1,200 meters) and galloped a mile (about 1,600 meters) on Saturday morning with alacrity at the Nad Al Sheba training track.

“We’re very pleased with how he is at the moment—he’s grand,” Finn said. “It looked like he travelled well, and I was with him myself. He’s drinking plenty of water, and that’s the most important thing.”

Better Talk Now is one of the most accomplished horses on the Dubai World Cup (Gr.1) program with five Grade 1 victories to his credit, including the 2004 Breeders’ Cup Turf (Gr.1), and earnings of US$4,054,288.

Exercise rider Fenella O’Flynn was aboard for Saturday’s easy training track drill. Motion is due to arrive in Dubai on Tuesday.


A.P. Arrow bouncing before Dubai World Cup


AP Arrow carries the colours of the inaugural Dubai World Cup winner Cigar, and bids to follow in his footsteps a week today (copyright Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer)

Last year, leading American trainer Todd Pletcher brought five horses for the Dubai World Cup (Gr.1) program, and exercise rider Eddie King remembers that they were “all pooped” after the grueling plane ride from the United States.

This year, Pletcher has only one contender, but that horse—six-year-old Dubai World Cup (sponsored by Emirates) entrant A. P. Arrow—seems to be “happy to be here in Dubai,” King said.

“He’s very rambunctious right now,” he added. “He feels real good.”

King guided the six-year-old son of A.P. Indy to the Nad Al Sheba training track on Saturday morning for his first exercise since the flight and they jogged a mile (about 1,600 meters) and galloped 1 ¼ miles (about 2,000 meters).

A very consistent runner, A. P. Arrow has won or placed in 16 of 22 starts and has earned US$1,128,290. He is coming off one of the best performances of his life, an onrushing second in the Donn Handicap (Gr.1), which has produced more Dubai World Cup winners than any other American prep race.

In his most recent race before the Donn, A. P. Arrow won the Clark Handicap (Gr.2) at Churchill Downs.

A. P. Arrow carries the same silks as inaugural Dubai World Cup winner Cigar, having been bred by and campaigned by the Allen E. Paulson Living Trust.



Stronger Well Armed primed for World Cup


Well Armed returned to the Nad Al Sheba track on Saturday morning (copyright Michele MacDonald)

With muscles bulging under his gleaming bay coat, Dubai World Cup (Gr.1), sponsored by Emirates, contender Well Armed strode back on to the Nad Al Sheba track for the first time in about two years on Saturday, looking much different than when he left.

One observer who saw the gelding when he was a three-year-old winner during the 2006 Dubai International Racing Carnival could not believe the change, noting how much stronger the son of Tiznow seems as the biggest race of his life approaches.

The WinStar Farm homebred—who emerged from the 2006 UAE Derby (Gr.2) with a fractured pelvis—handled the long return trip to Dubai from his California base well and appeared to be feeling right at home while jogging and cantering in his first exercise since the flight.

“He shipped better than we did. He drank his water and ate his hay. It’s almost like he knew where he was going,” said Jake Vinci, assistant to trainer Eoin Harty.

Previously trained by Clive Brittain, Well Armed was away from the races for about 19 months following his UAE Derby injury, spending much of that time recuperating at WinStar Farm near Versailles, Kentucky.

After being sent to Harty, he blossomed, winning his second start back in November over 1 1/8 miles (about 1,800 meters) at Hollywood Park then finishing second in the San Pasqual Handicap (Gr.2) in January at Santa Anita Park.

Well Armed earned his ticket to Dubai by defeating eventual Santa Anita Handicap (Gr.1) winner Heatseeker with a front-running effort in the 1 1/8-mile San Antonio Handicap (Gr.2) on February 9 at Santa Anita.

Although Vinci noted that the quality of horses in the Dubai World Cup, including American Horse of the Year Curlin, makes the race very tough, he suggested that Well Armed’s speed could make him a strong challenger.

“If he can get on the front and he’s a length or two on the lead, he’s hard to beat,” Vinci said.

After joining Harty in 2001 when the trainer oversaw Godolphin’s American juvenile program, Vinci helped cultivate American champion juvenile filly Tempera and eventual UAE Derby (Gr.2) winner Essence of Dubai. He also developed an appreciation for the broad international profile of the Dubai World Cup program.

“I like Dubai World Cup day better than the Breeders’ Cup,” he said, referring to America’s championship day of racing that this year will be conducted at Santa Anita. “Everybody talks about harmony among nations, but it can’t get any better than this. It truly is the Olympics of horse racing.”



Playful Curlin full of energy at Nad Al Sheba


With 14 other American horses released from quarantine and able to stretch their legs for the first time on Saturday morning at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse, reigning Horse of the Year Curlin greeted them with a show of contained but exuberant power.

With his sculpted neck arched and his chestnut coat blazing in the sun, Curlin pulled exercise rider Carmen “Carlos” Rosas around the track and then jumped and hopped when other horses galloped past as he was returning to the gap.

“He’s feeling good,” said assistant trainer Scott Blasi. “He’s showing every indication that he’s getting ready to race.”

With the Dubai World Cup (Gr.1), sponsored by Emirates Airline, only a week away, Curlin is slated to gallop again on Sunday and then work a half-mile (about 800 meters) on Monday morning before he embarks on a mission to break inaugural Dubai World Cup winner Cigar’s career earnings record.

“Weight-wise and coat-wise, everything about him is just what we want to see,” Blasi said. “He came out of his three-quarter mile workout (about 1,200 meters on March 17) with a lot of energy.”


Trackwork - March 22

DIRT TRACK

Fast Work

Vodka – 600mts/49.10sec, 400mts/26.60sec. Moved on tight reins throughout.

Iide Kenshin and Admire Aura – 600mts/37.68sec, 400mts/24.26sec. Moved level throughout with plenty in hand.

Open Canter

Quijano – Travelled well throughout.

Gloria de Campeao – Easy work around the track.

Sarisaa – Travelled on the bit throughout.

Latency – Started work from 2400mts and travelled with plenty in hand throughout.

Hack Canter

Well Armed – Easy work on the bit throughout.

Bushwacker – Easy work around the track

Curlin – Easy work on the bit throughout.

Idiot Proof – Easy work around the track

Vermilion – Easy work around the track.

Benny The Bull – Easy work around the track

Barbecue Eddie – Easy work around the track

Esperamos – Easy hack around the track with the pony.

Diamond Stripes – Easy work on the bit, travelled well.

Trot

Massive Drama – Easy work around the track

Spring House and Barcola – Easy work around the track

TURF TRACK

Honour Devil and Royal Vintage – 1200mts/1m09.07, 1000mts/57.06sec, 800mts/45.26sec, 600mts/33.98sec and 400mts/22.66sec. Started work from 1400mts and picked up pace from 1200mts. Former was travelling two lengths in front until joined by later approaching the 400mts. Both finished level with former being pushed to keep up with latter.

Jay Peg – 800mts/46.00sec, 600mts/33.93sec and 400mts/21.52sec. Started canter from 1400mts and picked up pace from 1000mts. Travelled very well on tight reins entering the straight and quickened well in final stages to finish on well.

Oracle West and Sun Classique – 1200mts/1m10.80, 1000mts/57.90sec, 800mts/45.55sec, 600mts/33.91sec and 400mts/21.88sec. Started work from 1400mts and picked up pace from 1200mts. Both finished level. Later started two lengths behind and pushed in final 400mts to finish level while former was sitting handy.

Sushisan and Linngari – 1000mts/56.29sec, 800mts/44.62sec, 600mts/33.91sec and 400mts/22.24sec. Started work from 1400mts and picked up pace from 1200mts. Former was travelling four lengths in front on tight reins negotiating the final turn, later was pushed hard to finish level passing the post while former was hard held.

Lord Admiral - 600mts/39.10sec, 400mts/26.60sec. Moved on tight reins throughout.

Yellowstone and Gower Song – 1200mts/1m11.61, 1000mts/58.67sec, 800mts/46.42sec, 600mts/35.32sec and 400mts/23.21sec. Started work from 1800mts and picked up pace from 1400mts. Latter started two lengths behind and finished one length in front. Both travelled well throughout and finished with plenty in hand.

Madjani - 600mts/38.90sec, 400mts/25.18sec. Moved on tight reins throughout.

Youmzain – 1200mts/1m10.20, 1000mts/57.59sec, 800mts/45.73sec, 600mts/34.47sec and 400mts/22.53sec. Started work from 1800mts and picked up pace from 1400mts. Youmzain started two lengths behind the lead horse and finished half length in front.


Boy can surprise DWC rivals

Asiatic Boy, seen here winning the Al Shindagha Sprint, can give Curlin a battle in the Dubai World Cup, according to de Kock (copyright Dubai Racing Club/Andrew Watkins)

Mike de Kock is confident Asiatic Boy is back to his best ahead of the 2008 Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates, saying he wouldn’t be surprised if his stable star lowered Curlin’s colours in the world’s richest race on March 29.

The South African maestro’s flagbearer will be looking to make history in the US$6 million race as the first horse to secure the UAE Derby and Dubai World Cup double, a feat the trainer says would be the crowning moment of his career.

“I have won six races at Dubai World Cup meetings, but I would trade them all to see Asiatic Boy win the big one,” de Kock said.

The four-year-old overcame a tardy start and traffic problems to score an impressive victory in the Group 3 Al Shindagha sprint on his first start in 2008 but followed up with a disappointing run in the Group 3 Burj Nahaar, finishing third behind the Saeed bin Suroor-trained duo Elusive Warning and Blackat Blackitten.

“We didn’t do enough with him going into the race and he wasn’t quite fit enough” explained de Kock.

“We have had some good work-outs since then and he has improved no end from his last run.

“I think the ratings are pretty accurate going into the race with Curlin in a league of his own but I certainly wouldn’t rule our horse out. A race can go anyway and we will be there to win if Curlin doesn’t.”

Also lining up for the showpiece will be Maktoum Challenge Round 2 winner Lucky Find.

Substituted to the headline race after originally being aimed at the Group 2 Godolphin Mile, the four year old gelding will give owner Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum a chance to compete against his father who owns Asiatic Boy.

Lucky Find finished third in Round 3 of the Maktoum Challenge behind fellow Dubai World Cup challengers Jalil and Gloria de Campeao but De Kock remains upbeat about the prospects of his South African-bred saying: “He can definitely run second and will be a better horse on the big night than those that beat him last time out”.

While the big race may be at the forefront of de Kock’s mind, he also holds a strong hand in the supporting races with a further six runners.

The top international trainer at this year’s Dubai International Racing Carnival is pinning his main hopes of success on Royal Vintage and Honour Devil, who run in the Group 2 UAE Derby, sponsored by Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group, saying they represent his “best chance of a win on the night”.

The pair have dominated the three-year-old colts division in the UAE this season, producing thrilling head to head battles on two occasions. Round One was won by Honour Devil in the Group 3 UAE 2,000 Guineas while Royal Vintage proved too strong in the rematch, taking the Listed Al Bastakiya.

De Kock said: “It’s hard to split them as they are both top-class horses but if I had to bet my life on it I would go with Honour Devil.

“Royal Vintage is probably a better horse but he is not as tough as Honour Devil who is a real street fighter. Royal Vintage is more refined and a little more immature but he will be a live Dubai World Cup contender for next year.”

Oracle West, the runner up in last year’s Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic, sponsored by Nakheel, is back for another shot at the US$5 million prize, lining up alongside stablemate Sun Classique who sailed past the competition to take both the Listed Cape Verdi and Balanchine Stakes earlier in the Carnival.

De Kock will also be pointing former Ballydoyle-trained Archipenko at the Group 1 $US5million Dubai Duty Free, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free in an attempt to follow up on the form of his impressive victory in the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort.

Brave Tin Soldier, who has been training well recently, will contest the Group 2 Godolphin Mile sponsored by Etisalat, while Narc and Drift Ice contest the Dubai Golden Shaheen, sponsored by Gulf News.

DRC.....

Trackwork - March 23

DIRT TRACK

Fast Work

Idiot Proof – 600mts/34.21sec, 400mts/23.26sec. Started work from 1000mts and picked up really well. Travelled on the bit with plenty in hand passing the post. Impressive work

Vermilion – 600mts/37.68sec, 400mts/24.26sec. Moved well throughout with plenty in hand. Easy work

Bullish Luck – 600mts/42.20sec, 400mts/26.10sec. Moved on the bit around the track.

Floral Pegasus – 600mts/41.13sec, 400mts/25.20sec. Moved freely around the track

Open Canter

Quijano – Travelled well throughout. Easy work.

Gloria de Campeao – Easy work around the track.

Sarissa – Travelled on the bit throughout.

Latency – Started work from 2400mts and travelled with plenty in hand throughout.

Hack Canter

Asiatic Boy – Moved freely around the track. Picked up canter from 1600, looked very fit.

Star Crowned – Easy work on the bit throughout.

Well Armed – Easy work on the bit throughout.

Curlin – Easy work on the bit throughout.

Benny The Bull – Easy work around the track.

Barbecue Eddie – Easy work around the track.

Esperamos – Easy hack around the track with the pony.

Diamond Stripes – Easy work on the bit, travelled well.

Massive Drama – Easy work around the track, looking fit.

Great Hunter – Easy work on the bit.

Majestic Roi – Easy work around the track.

TURF TRACK

Narc – 800mts/52.26sec, 600mts/39.08sec and 400mts/25.46sec. Started work from 1400mts and picked up pace from 1200mts. Moved freely throughout with plenty in hand. Easy work.

Archipenko – Easy work around the track.

DRC.....

Dubai World Cup - Latest

In his final timed tune-up for Saturday’s Group 1 Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates, American Horse of the Year Curlin dazzled onlookers at Nad Al Sheba with a show of contained power on Monday.

As exercise rider Carlos Rosas sat motionless in the saddle, Curlin rolled through a half-mile (about 800 meters) in :50.16 and galloped out five furlongs (about 1,000 meters) in 1:06.18.

Scott Blasi, who has been overseeing Curlin’s preparations in Dubai for trainer Steve Asmussen, labelled the workout “perfect.”

“He’s physically ready to do what we are going to ask him to do on Saturday,” Blasi declared.

Winstar Farms’ Well Armed also turned in his final timed work breezing a half mile (800m) in 48.00 seconds under exercise rider Iggy Puglisi.

Trainer Eoin Harty said the workout went according to plan, commenting: “I just wanted him to go an easy half mile, which he did.

“He galloped out strong. He’s very fit and he’s sound, so it was just a routine maintenance work.”

After watching Well Armed’s breeze, Harty said preparations for the race are complete. “It’s pretty much all done and dusted,” he said. “Some light galloping, a trip to the starting gate and that will be it.”

Well Armed, a five-year-old gelded son of Tiznow, picked up one of his four career victories in an allowance race at Nad Al Sheba in January 2006. He finished 11th in the UAE Derby and then after an 18-month layoff, returned to competition in October 2007 and won his most recent start, the Grade 2 San Antonio on February 8 at Santa Anita.

Making his first appearance on the main track after exercising lightly on Saturday and Sunday at the training track, A. P. Arrow was full of energy as he alertly took in the surroundings. He returned from a mile jog followed by an enthusiastic gallop under exercise rider Eddie King with some lather on his neck.

Ginny De Pasquale, an assistant to trainer Todd Pletcher, said the chestnut horse “always enjoys his training.”

A. P. Arrow will visit the starting gate on Tuesday and then just gallop up to the Dubai World Cup with no timed workouts, she said. Pletcher plans to fly in to Dubai on Saturday to saddle the horse and then return to America shortly after the race.

Also glimpsed on Monday morning was Great Hunter who underwent a light canter for Tony Romero, an exercise rider for trainer Doug O’Neill. Romero said he backed J. Paul Reddam’s four-year-old colt up to the 2,000-metre mark and had him gallop once around the track.

“He felt perfect,” Romero said, adding that the son of Aptitude had made a smooth transition to Dubai after shipping in from California. “He’s pretty happy,” said the exercise rider. “He’s acting pretty good.”

Resident trainer Mike De Kock also made an appearance opting to work his World Cup aspirants Lucky Find and Asiatic Boy on the Nad Al Sheba turf.

Winner of the UAE Triple Crown last year, Asiatic Boy suffered his first Nad Al Sheba defeat in the Burj Nahaar on Super Thursday but his handler is confident of a much bolder showing on Saturday.

He said: “I was too easy on him in the build-up to Super Thursday but as you can see he is far tighter now and hopefully will be at his peak on Saturday.

“We ran him over a mile to progress to the 10-furlongs (2000m) gradually and we will find out about his stamina on Saturday” added De Kock.

Earlier, Lucky Find had worked with Dubai Duty Free candidate Archipenko and both moved nicely. De Kock added: “Stamina is an obvious concern with Lucky Find.”


Dubai Sheema Classic - Latest

Mourilyan, trained in Ireland by John Oxx for the Aga Khan, has been one of the success stories of this year’s Dubai International Racing Carnival.

The rapidly-improving four-year-old recorded two wins in handicap class before a dramatic stretch run narrowly failed to get him up in the Group 3 Dubai City of Gold on his latest start. That run has persuaded connections to run him in the Dubai Sheema Classic, sponsored by Nakheel.

Assistant trainer Jimmy O’Neill was aboard this morning, breaking from the mile (1600m) post, before upping the tempo over the final five furlongs (1000m) of the Nad Al Sheba turf track.

Afterwards he expressed his happiness with his improving performer, “He’s been taking his races well, and he’s been thriving since he’s been out here in Dubai, eating well and doing everything right.

“He was upped into Group 3 company last time, and he did nothing wrong, so we decided to accept the invitation to run in the Group 1 on Saturday. It’s a step up again, but he deserves to take his chance.

“That will be his final piece of work before Saturday, we’ll just keep him ticking over between now and race day.

Accompanied to the track by a pony, five-time Grade 1 winner Better Talk Now was guided through his first gallop on the Nad Al Sheba dirt surface by exercise rider Fenella O’Flynn, who also had ridden him during gallops on the training track over the weekend.

“It was good—very good,” said O’Flynn as she rode back, adding that the nine-year-old gelding would probably spend the rest of the week preparing for the US$5million showpiece with gallops on the turf course.

“We’ll see during the week, but he might have a little blowout,” she said of possible plans for a timed workout. Trainer Graham Motion is due to arrive in Dubai on Tuesday.

US based trainer Julio Canani was also on hand Monday morning to watch R.D. Hubbard’s Spring House gallop once around the main track.

The six-year-old gelding won his last start, the Grade 2 San Luis Obispo on February 23 at Santa Anita. It was his sixth victory in 28 career starts and pushed his earnings to $544,284.

“He’s a nice horse,” Canani said. The 69-year-old trainer said Spring House is a young older horse. “He’s a six-year-old, but he’s a baby,” Canani said. The follow-up question was, a baby physically or a baby mentally? “Both, because he’s a gelding,” he said.

According to Canani, Spring House was a bit unlucky in two races in California. The veteran trainer from Peru said his stable star is ready for the 2400m turf contest on March 29.

“He’s sound. He’s healthy and that’s what counts,” Canani said



Dubai Duty Free - Latest

Irish trainer Jim Bolger was at Nad Al Sheba to put the finishing touches to his four-year-old filly Finsceal Beo ahead of Saturday’s eagerly awaited Group 1 Dubai Duty Free, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free.

The four-year-old daughter of Mr Greeley enjoyed a stunning early three-year-old campaign in 2007, winning the English and Irish 1000 Guineas, and only being denied a clean sweep of all three major European fillies’ classics when beaten a head by Darjina in the French equivalent.

The pair renew rivalry again at the weekend.

“Her form tapered off in the latter part of the season, but she’s back to herself again now,” said Bolger. “We weighed her, and her weight is good. She’ll just have a canter again tomorrow, and have a little blow on the turf on Wednesday.”

Bolger is no stranger to Dubai, having saddled another top-class filly Alexander Goldrun to finish sixth behind Elvstroem in the 2005 edition of this race, and fifth to Heart’s Cry in the Dubai Sheema Classic the following year.

Princess Zahra Aga Khan’s Darjina, the Alain de Royer Dupre trained French Guineas winner, who was a close up third on her final start of her 2007 campaign in the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile at Sha Tin in December, was kept to the training track this morning.

Another four-year-old filly, the Mick Channon trained Majestic Roi looked in good form as she put in a regulation canter on the main track ahead of Saturday’s race. The daughter of Street Cry won the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket on her final start last year, and has been pleasing connections in the build up to Saturday.

South African trainer Mike de Kock was also upbeat about his challenger for the Group 1 turf showdown, Archipenko, who won the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort at the Dubai International Racing Carnival here last month.

“He has pleased us since his win and, with a decent draw, we have to hope for a big effort. It will just be a case of keeping him ticking over between now and the big night” said de Kock.

Notional galloped around the Nad Al Sheba main track on Monday morning, with exercise rider Tony Romero commenting: “He galloped nice. I liked the way he moved today.”

Notional was on course toward the 2007 Kentucky Derby, but was sidelined with a condylar fracture of the left front and did not return to racing until February. In his comeback, he finished third, beaten a neck in the Daytona Handicap at Santa Anita, his first try on grass.

Dubai Golden Shaheen - Latest

This season’s champion UAE trainer Doug Watson put Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, sponsored by Gulf News, contender Mutamarres through his paces on the training track at Nad Al Sheba today.

The winner of the Listed Al Quoz Sprint was unbeaten in three starts at this year’s Dubai International Racing Carnival.

The son of Green Desert clocked a snappy half mile (800m) work on the dirt in 47:85 delighting his recently crowned champion UAE trainer.

“We were extremely pleased with how he worked this morning; he is in great form at the moment and clocked a really good time. He will walk out tomorrow then canter for the rest of the week until the morning of the race” said Watson.

The American contingent was also glimpsed on the main track.

Benny the Bull galloped out under Michelle Nevin, assistant to trainer Rick Dutrow Jr and Idiot Proof walked in the barn area after a five-furlong (about 1,000m) workout on Sunday.

Barbecue Eddie galloped over the main track under Iggy Puglisi, a veteran California-based jockey.

Local trainer Erwan Charpy said of his sprint contender: “Munaddam looks really well at the moment. He just walked this morning and did a few laps of the pool to keep him ticking over and relaxed ahead of Saturday”.


UAE Derby - Latest News

Ryan Moore was aboard Strike The Deal at Nad al Sheba on Monday morning, and put him through a steady work on the dirt track ahead of the Group 2 UAE Derby, sponsored by Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group.

"He went well, and felt good," was his assessment of the Jeremy Noseda-trained colt, who was last seen out when fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile turf at a rain softened Monmouth Park last year.

Noseda, who is no stranger to Dubai having saddled 10 winners in recent years at the Dubai International Racing Carnival, is scheduled to arrive in Dubai on raceday.

Massive Drama also showed up on the main track galloping under veteran jockey Rudy Rodriguez. Henrietta Steele, an assistant to trainer Dale Romans, said she was very pleased with how the son of Kafwain has adapted to Dubai.

“I’m happy with the way he was moving,” she said after the gallop. “He had his ears pricked—he seemed to have the sun on his back and love in his heart.”

Romans, who trained 2005 Dubai World Cup winner Roses in May, is on the way to Dubai and is expected to be at Nad Al Sheba on Tuesday to continue Massive Drama’s preparations for the UAE Derby.

Resident trainer Doug Watson opted to put his Derby contender, Rock Ascot through his paces on the training track and the American conditioner remains upbeat about the South American import’s chances on March 29 despite facing initial setbacks.

“The horse has only been here a few weeks and we would have liked longer with him as he arrived with a few problems,” he said. “He is a nice horse though and is a multiple Group 1 winner in Uruguay so has plenty of ability.”

Mike de Kock holds a strong hand in the US$2 million contest saying his duo represent his best chances of success on the big night.

“Obviously the UAE Derby looks our best chance with Honour Devil and Royal Vintage both holding big chances and it’s hard to split them – a dead-heat would be great!” said the South African trainer.


Godolphin Mile - Latest News

American hope Barcola jogged once around the Nad Al Sheba main track under regular exercise rider Tony Romero ahead of his bid for the Group 2 Godolphin Mile, sponsored by Etisalat.

“He feels pretty good,” Romero said. “He’s been jogging since he got here.”

Romero works for trainer Doug O’Neill and is handling both of O’Neill’s horses preparing for races on Saturday, Great Hunter in the Dubai World Cup and Notional in the Dubai Duty Free, both owned by J. Paul Reddam. He is getting on Barcola as well because the Mark Hennig-trained horse is also owned by Reddam.

Bahrain-based trainer Fawzi Nass was also on hand at Nad Al Sheba to supervise his Godophin Mile duo Halkin and Aleutian put in their final works ahead of Saturday’s US$1 million dirt contest.

Halkin who breezed 600 meters in 33:10 this morning was last seen finishing fourth in the Group 3 Burj Nahaar behind Elusive Warning at the closing meet of the Dubai International Racing Carnival.

Fawzi Nass the owner and trainer of the six-year-old said: “It would have been better if we could have run him on turf on Dubai World Cup night, but he’s a good horse.

“It’s a tough race and he has to improve seven lengths to get close to Elusive Warning. But he had three races close together at the Carnival so hopefully he has improved since then.”

Nass also saddles Aleutian in the US$1million contest on March 29 who he describes as “the more hardened of the two horses”.

“He ran very well first time up at the Carnival and then he came back sore last time after we trimmed him too close to the race. He’s over that now and hopefully he’ll run well,” added Nass.

He was pushed out for one circuit of the dirt track this morning pulling away from his work companion by 10 lengths to stop the clock at 58:50 for 1000 metres.

Also lining up for the mile contest on the world’s richest race night will be late entrant Green Coast. His trainer Doug Watson described the horse who finished seventh in the Group 3 Burj Nahaar as “progressive” adding: “He was unlucky in his last race but we are pleased with how he is training in the mornings and he should run a big race.”


A.P. Arrow taking aim on World Cup

American trainer Todd Pletcher has won a cornucopia of prizes in racing, topped by last year’s history-making win by the filly Rags to Riches in the classic Belmont Stakes (Gr.1).

But Pletcher would be the first to say that one of his biggest remaining goals is to capture a rich event on the Dubai World Cup (Gr.1) program, and this year he is targeting the main event.

Winner of four consecutive Eclipse Awards as America’s outstanding trainer, Pletcher will send out the Paulson Living Trust’s A. P. Arrow in the Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline.

And he will be hoping to improve one place from the finish position of his first World Cup runner, Harlan’s Holiday, who was second to Godolphin’s Moon Ballad in the 2003 edition of the race.

A six-year-old son of A.P. Indy, A. P. Arrow galloped about 1 3/8 miles (approximately 2,200 meters) early on Sunday morning over the Nad Al Sheba training track.

“He went real easy and comfortable,” reported exercise rider Eddie King, who also visited Dubai last year when Pletcher saddled runners in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (Gr.1), the Dubai Sheema Classic (Gr.1) and the Dubai Duty Free (Gr.1).

Pletcher’s assistant, Ginny De Pasquale, who also journeyed to Dubai last year, is currently overseeing A. P. Arrow’s exercise schedule.



Better Talk Now keeping quiet in seclusion

At age nine, Better Talk Now has seen and done almost everything a racehorse can experience.

But his connections have been keeping him away from the spotlight at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse so far, preferring to allow him to train in virtual seclusion over the training track late in the mornings.

On Sunday, the five-time Grade 1 winner and entrant in the Dubai Sheema Classic (Gr.1), sponsored by Nakheel, galloped about 1 3/8 miles (approximately 2,200 meters) under exercise rider Fenella O’Flynn.

The dark bay gelding by Talkin Man put his head down and picked up an effortless, rhythmic stride, skimming over the dirt with no one else on the track to bother him.

“He went great,” said a beaming O’Flynn as she guided Better Talk Now off the track while accompanied by assistant trainer Tom Finn aboard a pony.

The training track was a bit softer and more consistent on Sunday after a humid night that kept water in the dirt, she said, after also galloping Better Talk Now over the surface on Saturday.

Trainer Graham Motion is due to arrive in Dubai on Tuesday.



Dutrow has double chances to win on Saturday


(copyright Michele MacDonald)

Even though he won’t be able to be in Dubai on Saturday, American trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. possesses two formidable chances to win on the rich Dubai World Cup (Gr.1) program in the form of Benny the Bull (pictured) and Diamond Stripes.

“They’re both doing very well—we’re pretty happy so far,” Dutrow’s assistant, Michelle Nevin, reported Sunday after the duo galloped for the second day at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse.

With Dutrow staying in the United States to saddle his promising classic hopeful Big Brown in the Florida Derby (Gr.1), Nevin will be in charge of Dubai Golden Shaheen (Gr.1) contender Benny the Bull and Godolphin Mile (Gr.2) candidate Diamond Stripes, who are currently the stable’s most accomplished stars.

Benny the Bull, who has won the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash Stakes (Gr.1) and the Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes in succession and established himself as one of America’s top speedsters, has relished the surface at Nad Al Sheba, reported Nevin, who has been aboard the five-year-old son of Lucky Lionel in morning gallops.

“He’s getting over the track very comfortably,” she said, adding that since Benny the Bull has proved to be very versatile in his running style, the straightaway dash of the Dubai Golden Shaheen, sponsored by Gulf News, should present no problems.

Nevin described Benny the Bull as “a very laid back, kind horse who is just happy to lope around” in the mornings. Nonetheless, he should be one of the favorites in the Dubai Golden Shaheen, along with fellow Grade 1 winner Idiot Proof.

“His last race (a 4 1/2 –length victory in the Sunshine Millions Sprint) was by far his most impressive; he put himself in the race early,” she said. “He’s done everything we’ve asked so far.”

Benny the Bull is owned by IEAH Stables and partners and will be ridden by Edgar Prado.

Stablemate Diamond Stripes won the Meadowlands Cup Handicap (Gr.2) last year and placed in three Grade 1 stakes and thus also will be a favorite in the Godolphin Mile, sponsored by Etisalat. Owned by Four Roses Thoroughbreds, the five-year-old gray gelding by Notebook is coming off a fourth-place finish in the Sunshine Millions Classic Stakes at 1 1/8 miles (about 1,800 meters).

“We definitely feel that he’s going to be strong in (the Godolphin Mile),” Nevin said. Another horse with an easygoing attitude, “he doesn’t get bothered by too much,” she added.

Prado also will ride Diamond Stripes on Saturday.

Both Benny the Bull and Diamond Stripes have settled in well at Nad Al Sheba and could be sent for timed workouts on Tuesday.

“It’s a long journey (from America to Dubai), but both of our horses are relaxed guys and the trip didn’t seem to bother them too much at all,” Nevin said.