Dubai World Cup 2015 Thread

[Morning Glory]

No jumps worth talking about so might as well


Notes - March 24 - Group 1 US$10m Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates – 2000m (dirt)
Tuesday, 24 March, 2015
African Story (GB), Prince Bishop (IRE) – African Story won the world's richest race, the US$10-million Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates, last year when it was run on the all-weather surface.

Meydan switched to a dirt track in 2014 and African Story, along with Godolphin's other Dubai World Cup contender, Prince Bishop, has now had experience of the new surface.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: "Both African Story and Prince Bishop worked on Saturday and are happy and in good condition.

"It will be very tough racing against California Chrome from America, though our horses have been doing very well.

"They have been getting used to the dirt this year but they don't like the kickback and need to be prominent in the race.

"Prince Bishop has to start better - he came from last to second in the final round of the Al Maktoum Challenge. African Story was victorious in last year's Dubai World Cup and is now back in peak form."

California Chrome (USA) – With exercise rider Dana Barnes in tow, Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates contender California Chrome breezed a half-mile (800m) early Tuesday morning in :50 over a fast Meydan main track.

“He got the last eighth (200m) in 11 seconds,” said Alan Sherman, assistant and son of trainer Art Sherman. “We just wanted to stretch his legs. If he’s not fit by now, it’s too late.”

With all six of his wins as a three-year-old coming against restricted company, California Chrome took full advantage of his sophomore season, but Sherman believes he can be as successful now that he is facing older horses.

“He's not a real heavy horse but I do think he's grown into his four-year-old season and that he’s a lot stronger,” Sherman said. “I'm just glad the owners (Steve Coburn and Perry Martin) decided to run him another year.”

Jockey Victor Espinoza, who has partnered with Chrome for his last 11 runs, will be back aboard for Saturday’s Dubai World Cup.

Candy Boy (USA) – Candy Boy remains in good form according to trainer, Doug Watson. “He did his final serious gallop yesterday (Monday) morning and went well,” said Watson. “We are looking forward to Saturday.”

Epiphaneia (JPN) – Representatives of trainer Katsuhiko Sumii said the Japanese contender had an easy canter on the Meydan dirt track and has adapted to the new surroundings.

Assistant trainer Norihiko Kishimoto said, “He has been training well. He will gallop on the dirt course tomorrow morning.”

Hokko Tarumae (JPN) – Jockey Hideaki Miyuki watched his partner Hokko Tarumae, another Dubai World Cup Japanese contender, cantering on the Meydan dirt track.

Miyuki said: “I have not ridden him since he has arrived, but as I touched and walked on the dirt course, it seemed to be more sticky than the Japanese dirt and needs more power. Hokko Tarumae is also a power-type of horse, so he should handle it. He looks fit and I am happy with it.”

Lea (USA) – Lea continued his preparation for Saturday’s race on Tuesday by galloping 2400m over the Meydan main oval.

One year ago, following wins in both the Grade 3 Hal’s Hope and Grade 1 Donn Handicap, the Dubai World Cup was on the radar for Lea, but a virus quickly ended that thought process.

“Last year he won the Donn, which is a great stepping stone race to the World Cup, but then he got sick on us and the goal changed to getting the horse healthy,” explained assistant trainer Riley Mott, the son of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

“We brought him back slowly and let the horse tell us when he was ready to get back at it. He's running well now and we think he's still improving.”

Off an 11-month layoff, the lightly raced six-year-old won the Hal’s Hope again but he failed to repeat in the Donn, finishing a close second behind Constitution. Following some initial indecision about making the trip, the connections targeted the Dubai World Cup.

“He really ran a bang up race in the Donn and came out of it in great shape,” Mott said. “The Dubai World Cup is a US$10 million race and it’s back on dirt. We feel like we have great chance.”

Lea will likely be the second choice internationally behind American Horse of the Year California Chrome.

“It’s a credit to the connections of California Chrome for bringing him here,” Mott said. “It's a big deal in American racing and a fun challenge for us.”

Side Glance (GB) – Andrew Balding’s globetrotting eight-year-old shipped into Dubai on Sunday and cleared quarantine this morning. Last seen when finishing fourth in the Cox Plate in Australia, he will be making his dirt debut over the weekend and covered two circuits of the all-weather training track today.

 

[Morning Glory]

British Irish interest

Does Brendan Powells horse run in something ?

Sole Power ?

 

[dazzler]

Brendan powells horse-dark emerald- sire dark angel. Entered Godolphin mile. 20-1 could be worth a nibble?

Dark Angel is the sire of Lethal Force, winner of the prestigious G1 July Cup at Newmarket in course-record time. Race times are not as considered important in England as they are in the US, but when a horse “lowers the mark,” it generates buzz. Lethal Force was bred by Declan Johnson, is owned by Alan Craddock, and is trained by Clive Cox. This is the colt’s second G1 win, after the Diamond Jubilee S. at Royal Ascot last month.

“He came back from Ascot really well and he was cherry-ripe today,” trainer Clive Cox said. “To break the (July Course) track record is brilliant.”

That Dark Angel is siring speedy horses should not come as a surprise. Dark Angel made all nine of his starts at two (from April to October), with four wins, including a maiden win at Chester in May, the G2 Mill Reef S., and the G1 Middle Park S. at six furlongs on the same Newmarket course where his son set the new speed record.

Dark Angel is by the English-Bred Acclamation (not to be confused with the great G1 winner in the US by Unusual Heat). Acclamation won the G2 Diadem S. at Ascot and placed in the G1 Nunthorpe S. to champion Oasis Dream. He has 20 SWs so far, including GSWs Dark Angel, Equiano (twice winner of the G1 King’s Stand S. at Royal Ascot), and Lilbourne Lad. He also shows a propensity for siring speedy horses, with most of his progeny’s stakes victories coming at seven furlongs and under.

Dark Angel’s first crop are just four-year-olds and Lethal Force is clearly the star. However, the same weekend, his colt Heeraat finished a game second in the City Wall S. (LR) at York. The four-year-old filly Lily’s Angel won a G3 at Lingfield earlier in the year.

His second crop contains Alhebayeb, winner of the prestigious G2 July S. (also at Newmarket’s July meeting).

Other runners to watch include the G1-placed horses Gabrial (a SW), Sovereign Debt, and Tough as Nails.

 

[flatman]

Your main GB interests are

Dubai Gold Cup

Side Glance

Godolphin Mile

Dark Emerald


BRENDAN POWELL has declared his satisfaction after two-time Dubai World Cup Carnival winner Dark Emerald was drawn in seven for Saturday’s Godolphin Mile.

Dark Emerald has been one of the success stories of this year's carnival after claiming a pair of handicap wins to earn a shot at the $1 million prize.

Following the draws for the supporting races on World Cup night, Powell tweeted: “Dark Emerald drawn 7 of 16 in Godolphin Mile. Just about where we would have liked. Fingers crossed!!”

The Ken Rhatigan-owned five-year-old, who has finished runner-up on his other two starts at Meydan this year, will switch to dirt for the Godolphin Mile, for which he is rated a general 20-1 chance.

Graphic

The William Haggas-trained Graphic will break from stall nine, while Jeremy Noseda’s Sloane Avenue is drawn in 15.

Dubai Gold Cup

Brown Panther - one of three British hopes in the Dubai Gold Cup - has been drawn 14 of 15
Tom Dascombe reported Brown Panther to be in good shape as his star stayer touched down at Meydan on Sunday.

“He’s had a good break and is very well,” the trainer said. “He came back from America in early November and we turned him out, other than putting him on the horsewalker and sending him swimming before Christmas. Then we had him cantering away from the first week of January.

“The ground will be quick but it’s got a good covering of grass, so it shouldn’t ride too firm. He’ll love the long straight, which reminds me of Doncaster, where he was second in the St Leger, so in terms of the going, the track and the trip, everything’s perfect.”





Marzocco (John Gosden) and Havana Beat (Andrew Balding) in seven and ten respectively.



UAE Derby
In the UAE Derby, Britain's sole representative Faithful Creek, trained by Brian Meehan, has been given stall five for what will be his first run on dirt.

Meehan said: “The surface is an unknown but he’s in good form. He has been really well all winter and it made sense to go.”

 

[flatman]

DWC 2015 Trackwork Notes - March 25 - Group 2 US$2m UAE Derby sponsored by The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group – 1900m (Dirt)
Wednesday, 25 March, 2015

Dear Domus (JPN) – Dear Domus galloped 1400m of the dirt track and jockey Kosei Miura said: “He galloped at home before he flew in, so I did not require a lot from him today, just confirming how his mood was.

“It is my first experience to be here. The surface on the dirt here is different from what we have in Japan and it seems to need more speed as well. But I think the horse is handling the surface. I cannot say until he races but I am happy with his condition and performance today.”

Faithful Creek (IRE) – Although the three-year-old cleared quarantine on Tuesday, he was confined to walking in the international barn complex by his trainer, Brian Meehan.

"He will step onto the main track tomorrow but only to walk down to the paddock," Meehan said.

"He worked very well before he came out here and is fresh and very bright. This is his level after his good run in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, and while we don't know for sure how he will cope with the dirt, I'm expecting him to run well."

Golden Barows (JPN) – Noriyuki Hori’s representative galloped from the 1000m pole and was asked to drive strongly in the stretch before he got familiarised with the starting gate.

The assistant trainer, Kazutomo Mori, said, “He could change leads smoothly. He has more spirit and stretched out strongly at the end.

“He is not good at the starting gate. He had a practice but he was a bit irritated and not relaxed when standing in the gate, but once the gate opened, he jumped much better than he always did at home, which was good. He will have an easy jog to relax and stretch his legs in the trotting ring tomorrow.”

My Johnny Be Good (USA) – “He just had a little light exercising this morning. Just cantering,” said trainer Eoin Harty.
“We’ll gallop him tomorrow. He seemed real happy; really on the muscle as he was galloping.”

Having drawn post eight in the field for the 1900m race and having had a chance to better assess the competition, Harty noted: “The Japanese horses are really nice.

“I hadn’t really taken them into consideration and maybe I should have. I don’t have a great post position having drawn toward the outside so we’ll have to try to save some ground somewhere.”

Tap That (JPN) – Galloped 1000m on the dirt track under assistant trainer Yuya Shiotsu.

Trainer Yasutoshi Ikee said, “He took his bit and showed more acceleration at 400m pole in the stretch.

“Even after he passed the finish line, he was not stiff and could release the reins. I heard from the staff that he was a bit tense with the new surroundings. However, he has been getting used to it and calmed down, which was a good thing for him to bring the better performance.

“He will walk around the paddock and saddling area to get familiarised with. The draw in stall six is ideal.”

 

[flatman]

Group 2 US $1m Godolphin Mile Sponsored By Meydan Sobha – 1600m (Dirt)
Wednesday, 25 March, 2015

Bradester (USA) – Multiple American graded stakes winner Bradester galloped 2400m under Julie Stormfelt, who reported that the five-year-old “is doing great.”

Trainer Eddie Kenneally is due to travel to Dubai to saddle Bradester but Stormfelt said she did not know when he would arrive.

Bradester has not raced in about six months, as his last start was on September 27, 2014, when he finished seventh in the Grade 2 Kelso Handicap at Belmont Park. In his prior start, earlier that month, he won the Grade 3 Ack Ack Handicap at Churchill Downs in a mostly front-running performance, indicating that he has the speed that may make him well suited for Meydan’s new dirt track.

Dark Emerald (IRE) – Dark Emerald travelled well within himself in a lap of the main dirt track and seems to have coped well with his solid campaign during the lead-up carnival.

Free Wheeling (AUS) – Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: “Free Wheeling ran well last time and we will see how he handles the dirt as he is returning to the surface. I am happy with him and he worked well on Sunday. It is a tough race and he will need to be at his best."

Gold City (IRE) and Surfer (USA) – Trainer Satish Seemar reported that his duo emerged from their Monday workouts in good order.

However, he expressed great disappointment that the talented Surfer drew the far outside post position in the 16-runner field, which he said will be a big disadvantage.

“You don’t want to lose hope, but it will have to be kind of a miracle situation (for Surfer to win),” Seemar said Tuesday morning. “This horse just never gets a break in his life. He always gets the wide draws.”

Owned by Zabeel Racing International Corp, the American-bred Surfer put together back-to-back Meydan wins in the Listed Dubai Creek Mile on December 18 and the Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 over a mile on January 8 prior to finishing fourth in the Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 at 1900m on February 5. In that last start, Surfer finished ahead of defending Dubai World Cup champion African Story, demonstrating his quality.

While Seemar remains confident in Surfer, he is philosophical due to the post position draw. “From my point of view, my work is done. I was joking with (jockey) Richard Mullen that now the pressure is on him,” Seemar said.

Gold City drew post 10 for the Godolphin Mile, which was acceptable to the trainer.

“For a horse like him, it doesn’t matter, so that is Ok,” Seemar said.

Graphic (IRE) –The Royal Ascot Racing Club’s representative, who will be attempting to land a first win at the Dubai World Cup meeting for trainer William Haggas, had his initial experience of Meydan on Tuesday morning, trotting up the back stretch of the dirt track under the stable’s pupil assistant Jason Favell.

“He just came to have a look around,” travelling head groom ‘Bizzy’ Budden reported.

“It’s his first experience of flying since he came to us two years ago, so he’s a bit in awe of the situation, but he’s travelled OK and seems happy.”

Layl (USA) – Layl has been done no favours by the draw says Doug Watson. “We were hoping for a low draw so 14 is far from ideal,” said Watson. “He is in great form and should run a big race but it is going to be tough from that draw.”

Nolohay (IRE), Tamarkuz (USA) – Paul Hanagan rides Tamarkuz for Musabah Al Muhairi.

“He has been in great form and seemingly improving,” said Hanagan. “We are drawn in (barrier) one and can hopefully utilise that in this stronger race.”

Quadrivium (USA) – Graham Motion’s four-year-old Henrythenavigator gelding comes in off a sixth-place finish in the Grade 3 Fair Grounds Handicap in New Orleans, but that performance doesn’t bother the trainer.

“When I first got him he won two dirt races right away,” said Motion, who trained 2013 Dubai World Cup winner Animal Kingdom.

“After that, we sent him to California where he faces Hopportunity and then to the Fair Grounds. He didn’t like the turf so we’ll stick with him in dirt. I expect he’ll run well here.”

Sloane Avenue (USA) – The first of the British-trained contingent to emerge at Meydan on Tuesday morning after clearing quarantine, the lightly-raced four-year-old covered a circuit of the dirt track under trainer Jeremy Noseda’s experienced travelling groom David Bradley, who reported: “He started at the 1400m marker and went back to the same point in a very easy canter.”

Bradley, Employee of the Year in the 2013 Godolphin Stud and Stable Awards, added: He felt very comfortable, very much at home. The only disappointment is his draw, 15 of 16.”

 

[flatman]

DWC 2015 Trackwork Notes - March 25 - Group 2 US$1m Dubai Gold Cup sponsored by Al Tayer Motors – 3200m (Turf)
Wednesday, 25 March, 2015

Bathyrhon (GER) – Prix du Cadran runner-up Bathyrhon, trained by Pia Brandt, followed fellow French-trained Flintshire onto the main track at Meydan on Wednesday morning.
He cantered over 1400m and the trainer’s husband Joakim Brandt said:
“He is really well. He feels good and now we are just waiting for Saturday. My wife is arriving tonight, so she will be here at the track on Thursday morning.”

Brown Panther (GB) – Preparing for the opening race of what will be his last season’s racing, the ten-time winner from 25 starts, including the Group 1 Irish St Leger, experienced the main track for the first time. With regular work partner Chris Ely in the saddle, he completed a steady canter round the full turf facility.
Trainer Tom Dascombe, who planned to take his stable star for his regular afternoon swimming exercise, said: “He can be a little keen but we got a pony to canter with him and he was as good as gold. He’ll have a slightly stiffer breeze on Thursday.”

Cooptado (ARG), Meandre (FR) – “He’s a funny Argentine horse,” trainer Doug Watson said of Cooptado.
“He’s very talented but a bit of a head case. On Super Saturday, Pat Dobbs had him on one rein trying to keep him on the rail while on the lead and by the time they straightened away, others had a run on him.
“He fought back well to only be beaten three lengths. He’ll be equipped with a shadow roll and ring bit on Saturday. We’re still learning what he does best, but we do think he’ll stay all day. We’re hoping it all comes together on the night.”
Watson said of Meandre: “After running a close seventh in the Dubai Sheema Classic last year, we thought the Dubai Gold Cup might have actually suited him better, so that’s what we pointed to.
“He did well in his training this summer, so we had high hopes for the Dubai World Cup Carnival.
“It’s been a bit disappointing so far, but not without excuses. With three days of high wind the turf was very firm for the Nad Al Sheba Trophy (on February 28) and it was just a weird night of racing. He ran fifth but I’m willing to toss it out completely. We expect better on Saturday night.”

 

[flatman]

Balding Passes a Third Glance
Wednesday, 25 March, 2015

Andrew Balding has taken every precaution possible to ensure Side Glance (GB) will act on the new dirt surface at Meydan when he bids to make it third time lucky in the $10million Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates.

An away gallop on the deep Fibresand surface at Southwell and a fancy combination of new headgear will ensure the eight-year-old has the best chance of showing his world-class form when he tries his luck on dirt for the first time.

Side Glance has been Englishman Balding’s ticket to travel over the last couple of years with the son of Passing Glance amassing almost $2.5million in prize money with starts in the UK, Dubai, Singapore, America and Hong Kong.

“He has earned prize money in dirhams, pounds, dollars and all sorts of currencies,’” said Balding. “I’m really looking forward to Saturday and I am hoping he takes to the surface and performs to his best as we know the configuration on the track suits him well.

“The dirt is the unknown factor but I am hoping he will be ok on it. He went away to gallop at Southwell and will wear an eyeshield with half-cut blinkers in the race.

They were something that trainers David Simcock and Dhruba Selvaratnam suggested we tried to help him and he has been working away fine in the headgear.”

Side Glance was last seen beaten less then half a length by Adelaide in the Cox Plate and has twice finished fourth in the Dubai World Cup when beaten by African Story and Animal Kingdom over the last two years.

“He is holding his form really well and you could argue that his Cox Plate run was a career best,” said Balding.

“He has a new rider in Andrea Atzeni, who is the new jockey to his owners, but he is world-class and there are no worries there.

“The horse means so much to us as he is by Phoenix Reach, who I trained, and his dam was nothing much but has turned out to be a pretty special broodmare and to have a homebred who has done what he has done has been exceptional.”

Side Glance will not be Balding’s only runner on the night with Havana Beat (IRE) going in the Dubai Gold Cup sponsored by Al Tayer Motors.

“He ran fourth there in his prep race and he will have come on for that,” added the trainer. “We have thought a lot of him since his maiden win and hopefully he can step up again.”

 

[mayo]

hokko turamare is the Pricewise pick in bug race. track concerns for big two ?

 

[Old Vic]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Dubai World Cup Trends from RP

Our forum needs some flat experts to get us through the summer <a href="http://t.co/SA7x8L7Aoc">http://t.co/SA7x8L7Aoc</a> <a href="http://t.co/sWsMuvFl7Q">pic.twitter.com/sWsMuvFl7Q</a></p>— Fat Jockey (@FatJockeyTips) <a href="https://twitter.com/FatJockeyTips/status/581572598254927872">March 27, 2015</a></blockquote>
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[Morning Glory]

Simon Clare

The Dubai World Cup on paper should be a straightforward race to work out. California Chrome should win. He’s the best horse in the race. He ran a great prep race finishing second to Shared Belief, the best dirt horse in the world, and he’s ridden by a brilliant American jockey in Victor Espinoza. Yet there are plenty of doubters. They point to his trainer never having travelled a horse outside the US before. They argue that California Chrome is unproven on the unusual, unique new Meydan dirt surface. They highlight the depth of the opposition with the progressive Lea trained by World Cup winning trainer, Bill Mott, the local hope and reigning champion, African Story, and two top class Japanese horses in Epiphaneia and Hokko Tarumae, all primed for the event.

Suddenly the race doesn’t look so straightforward. But I’m still thinking clearly. California Chrome is a top class horse. Not only did he win the first two legs of the Triple Crown early last summer, he then came back to form in the Autumn with a huge run in the Breeders’ Cup Classic. His prep run was another great run, and he has drawn a perfect post position in nine. I think California Chrome should be odds-on and I think he’ll win.

My view on the Dubai Turf, formerly known as The Dubai Duty Free, is just as clear-cut. The Grey Gatsby is comfortably the highest rated horse in the race. And he’s being ridden by the best Turf flat jockey in the world. Hard to oppose you’d think. Yet he isn’t even the favourite. All week the money has poured in for the French horse, Solow. His trainer, Freddie Head, has proven himself as a trainer that can win big International races and he has been incredibly bullish in the media about his horse. But that won’t make him run faster.

The doubters are out in force to oppose The Grey Gatsby. It’s his first run of the season and it’s really cold in Yorkshire so he won’t be ready is one of the doubts. Kevin Ryan has never proved that he can travel a horse to win a big prize, is another doubt. He worked badly at Southwell a few weeks ago is a third doubt doing the rounds. They all seem wafer thin to me. Kevin Ryan is an excellent trainer who gets his horses very fit and wins lots of races first time out. He took The Grey Gatsby to France and won the French Derby and he took him to Ireland and beat Australia in the Irish Champion Stakes. Kevin Ryan is very bullish that he has his horse fit and ready to run his best race and if he’s right then the Grey Gatsby will win. Having Ryan Moore on board is a huge asset. Incredibly you can back the best horse ridden by the best jockey in the race at around 3/1. He’s my best bet on the night.

The rest of the card gets harder. The Sheema Classic is a fascinating race. Graham Motion is a brilliant trainer and it would be foolish to assume that it is simply the more relaxed race-day medication rules in America that have reformed Main Sequence. Motion has proved himself a top class trainer of turf horses in America for many years, and showed he knows what it takes to travel a horse to Dubai when winning the Dubai World Cup with Animal Kingdom. Main Sequence must be respected. And if you fancy Main Sequence you have to fancy Flintshire. He has been a model of consistency finishing second in the Arc, second in the Breeders’ Cup Turf and then winning in Hong Kong. He’s a late maturing type that could keep improving with age.

I have major doubts about Designs Of Rome being good enough and staying well enough in this top class race. Harp Star is another I’m keen to oppose. She was 6th in the Arc, 5th in the Japan Cup and only 5th in her prep in a Group 2. Is that form good enough to beat a Breeders Cup Turf winner, in Main Sequence and a Hong Kong Cup winner, in Flintshire? Yes, she’s now got Ryan Moore on board but he isn’t exactly oozing confidence in her.

No, the more I look at this race the more I’m convinced that we will see a repeat of the Breeders’ Cup Turf finish but this time on neutral territory Flintshire will avenge his defeat by Main Sequence and come home in front.

See it’s not that complicated after all. California Chrome, The Grey Gatsby and Flintshire are the best horses in the three big races and all should win at generous odds.

Can you trust a bookies tips ?

 

[Old Vic]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>New Accounts: Racebets 9/1 on BrownPanther, SolePower or TheGreyGatsby to win in Dubai

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