Group 1 US$10m Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates Airlines – 2000m (Dirt)
California Chrome (USA) – The 2015 big race runner-up arrived at the main track at Meydan at 7am and stood like a statue in front of a throng of admirers before he set off to train with exercise rider Dihigy Gladney aboard.
Trainer Art Sherman stood on the track to watch, and said: “He galloped almost two miles (3200m) today. We back-tracked him up past the eight (200m) pole. He went completely around and then pulled up at the half-mile (800m) pole. He loves to gallop. The second time around he really takes a hold. We are right on schedule – let’s hope that we can get lucky.”
Frosted (USA) – Galloped 2400m at Marmoom.
“He was a very good three-year-old who kept running into American Pharoah, which was tough,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “I’m very happy he stayed in training. The year has started out great. We thought he needed the race (win in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1), but instead he broke the track record. He was more fit than we thought. He’s trained outstanding since.”
Gun Pit (AUS) – Trainer Caspar Fownes said: “He’s been out on the dirt again, just cantering and he’s very at home here. The preparation has gone well and we have a good draw also in three. I’m thinking he can pick up a cheque.”
Hoppertunity (USA) – Following two easy days in the quarantine centre, the Bob Baffert-trained Hoppertunity went back to work at Meydan brimming with energy and high spirits before, during and after his approximate 2400m gallop.
“He was a maniac out there—he felt so good,” said Baffert’s assistant and exercise rider Dana Barnes. Barnes said he had to be walked with a shank since he was so full of energy. By the time the five-year-old began his gallop, he had sweat on his neck and was pulling on Barnes. He jogged off the track strongly.
Mshawish (USA) – Stuck to the script that leading American trainer Todd Pletcher has written for him this week, galloping about 2200m on the Meydan dirt under exercise rider Nick Bush just as he did the previous two days.
“It seems like he is in good form,” Pletcher said. “He moves over this track effortlessly. He just sort of floats over it, and hopefully that continues.”
Keen Ice (USA) – Galloped once around Meydan’s main oval on Thursday morning. Despite his poor seventh-place effort in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3, trainer Dale Romans remains bullish on his chances.
“The way he’s trained, he’s as good as he can possibly be. He’s got the two trips under his belt. The original prep, I think we came on top of the race too close and he didn’t seem to be adjusted, but it was hard to realise that until you see how he came out of the race, which was much better. From what we’ve seen in his recent training, he’ll be a major contender in this race,” said Romans.
Asked how he sees the race playing out, Romans added: “If it was up to me, we will let him break on his own, let him find his stride, let horses come over as they want. We’ve got the world champion jockey (in Ryan Moore) and he just has to figure out how to get clear sailing from the eight-pole home.”
Keen Ice will sport blinkers in what Romans considered a very strong renewal of the Dubai World Cup, a race he won in 2005 with Roses In May.
“I hate blinkers on a racehorse, I hate all equipment. I go with as little as possible but for $10m, if you’re going to get a boost from blinkers, you roll the dice and throw them on there. You’ve got nothing to lose. We are all in,” he added.
“$10 million brings out the best of everything and it should. It’s been the richest race in the world since its inception, but now it’s become the most prestigious older horse race in the world. You can’t buy prestige, but if you look at the history of the horses who have won it, and it’s consistently been the best in the division worldwide.
“This is a little different to Roses In May but it’s still a horse race. Winning it was a life-changing moment for me. I was very proud to win it and for anyone who is fortunate to do so, it will change their life a lot more than just money would.”
Vadamos (FR) – Came back out onto the main training track at Meydan following a day of being led around the quarantine yard. He picked up his usual routine of jogging around, followed by a round of steady canter.
Richard Lambert, travelling head lad for the Andre Fabre yard, said: “Mr Fabre was very happy with the draw yesterday and this morning Vadamos was in fine form. It is now just a case of letting them tick over until the race.”
Teletext (USA) – Saudi Arabia’s best middle-distance older horse, and the mount of British champion jockey Silvestre de Sousa, made his first public appearance at Meydan since arriving in Dubai at the weekend.
But only the early-birds will have seen him. The five-year-old, who has been drawn in the outside gate in the 12-runner field, went to the main dirt track at 4am and completed a steady canter over one circuit for his regular work rider.
Saad bin Mishref, racing manager to his owner Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz, said: “We are very happy with him. He is fresh and in good form with himself.”
Group 1 US$6m Dubai Sheema Classic Presented by Longines – 2410m (Turf)
Dariyan (FR) – Has been at Meydan for a few weeks now and came onto the main track at Meydan, where he did a jog and then cantered once round the track. Antoine Creton, travelling head lad, said: “Dariyan is well and just did a canter.”
Gailo Chop (FR) – Trainer Antoine de Watrigant was on hand to watch him canter once round the main track at Meydan and said: “I arrived yesterday and wasn’t happy when I saw him last night in the yard, as he didn’t look great. But everyone told me that it had been extremely humid yesterday and that none of the horses really liked it. This morning the temperatures were much more agreeable and he does look like himself again. He is a bit keen, but that is good. However, if I was to bring another horse here I would do it differently and give him a prep race. Being here only a week is not enough for them to acclimatise.”
Postponed (IRE) – Formerly trained by Luca Cumani, the now Roger Varian inmate had a breeze around the training track after a spin on the main grass track yesterday.
“He looks to be one of the leading mile-and-a-half horses in the world,” said Varian. “He is an exciting horse to have in the yard and it is a privilege for me to have a King George winner in my care.
“I am very pleased we didn’t run him last autumn and we gave him the time to settle in and bed in to his new home.
“Since the turn of the year we always planned to give him two runs – in the City Of Gold and in this. He has had a dream preparation and his work has been excellent. Mentally he is tough and uncomplicated.”
Highland Reel (IRE) – Aidan O’Brien’s Hong Kong Vase winner cleared quarantine this morning and was on his toes as he appeared on the main track at 7.20am.
O’Brien’s travelling head lad Pat Keating commented: “If he wasn’t like that I would be worried – that is how he is. He is doing well and in good form. He travelled well and we couldn’t be happier. He has had a trot around the track and then did a canter to the winning post.”
Sheikhzayedroad (GB) – The Nad Al Sheba Trophy sponsored by Skycargo winner worked on the main track under trainer David Simcock’s wife Jennie.
“He is an old pro and felt good this morning,” said Mrs Simcock. “All his main work is done and we will just take him round the training track tomorrow.”
The Blue Eye (GB)—Qatari trainer Jassim Al Ghazali reported that The Blue Eye visited the Meydan turf around 4am and seemed to get over the course smoothly.
“The horse is in good condition and everything went well today,” Ghazali said. “I am very happy with his training.”
While The Blue Eye has not previously raced against the quality of competition he will face here, his trainer said the biggest question he has about the race is how the son of will handle racing left-handed (counterclockwise). In his previous races in Qatar and Europe, The Blue Eye raced clockwise, so the format of the race will be a major change for him. The Blue Eye has drawn post three and will be ridden by Harry Bentley.
Group 1 US$6m Dubai Turf sponsored by DP World – 1800m (Turf)
Flamboyant (FR) – Galloped on the training track at Meydan with exercise rider Helen Isler aboard. Trainer Paddy Gallagher instructed Isler to let the bay son of Peer Gynt increase his cruising speed in preparation for Saturday’s race.
“I told her to let him pick it up a bit the last quarter-mile (400m),” said Gallagher.
Flamboyant has shown dramatic improvement in form in the last nine months, including back to back Grade 2 victories in his last two starts. The colt was gelded after a 20-length defeat almost a year ago.
“He’s probably quieter and easier on himself now,” said Gallagher. “He was never really bad, but he got a little bit on his toes. Since he’s been gelded he’s settled down. He’s like all of us, as you get older you settle down a bit.”
Harry’s Son (SAF) – Trainer Paul Lafferty has arrived from South Africa and he was pleased with the condition of his stable star.
“He went out but had a real quiet time, I don’t need to do much with him now,” said Lafferty. “ He looks really well, he is in great order and his weight is good.
“He has a bombproof attitude, he’s a tough customer and I’m pleased with where he’s at. He loves a fight. We’ve got Anthony Delpech riding and he’s obviously had success in Dubai before.
“We’re not fools and have the utmost respect for the opposition. Our horse will be as gutsy as any in there, it’s just a question of whether he is good enough. It’s his toughest test to date and we’ll be over the moon if he places.”
The Corsican (IRE) – David Simcock’s Champion Stakes sixth cleared quarantine on Tuesday and after two mornings on the training track he ventured out onto the main track.
Simock’s wife Jennie said: “Sheikhzayedroad led him in his work and they covered 1400m. It was just a leg stretch. He is a laid-back horse and has taken to being here fine.”
Intilaaq (GB) – After appearing on the main track yesterday, the four-year-old was kept to the training track for light exercise.
Trainer Roger Varian said: “He is a huge talent. He is lightly-raced and I am sure that the best is yet to come. Since Christmas we have wound his preparation up for this weekend and he is a very exciting horse for the year ahead.
“His work has been excellent and I think and hope he will make a better three-year-old then four-year-old. I was happy with him this morning.”
Euro Charline (GB) – The Balanchine sponsored by Skywards runner-up and last year’s fourth in the Dubai Turf had another leg stretch on the main track a little after 5am.
“She just had a little canter round and will do the same today and tomorrow,” said trainer Marco Botti’s wife Lucie. “She is training well and I am happy with her.”
Gabrial (IRE) – After taking a break from regular work with a length of the quarantine area swimming pool on Wednesday afternoon, the seven-year-old was back at Meydan to take in a steady canter round a lap of the turf track in the hands of trainer Richard Fahey’s stable jockey Sammy-Jo Bell.
“He’s fit and doesn’t need any more work,” said Fahey, who has called up Silvestre de Sousa for the ride on Saturday. He added: “The draw, 15 of 15, is not great, but his usual style is to drop in behind the leaders, so it’s not a disaster, although I hope they go fast up front.”
Group 1 US$2m Dubai Golden Shaheen sponsored by Gulf News, 1200m (Dirt)
Confrontation (USA) – Galloped 2400m at Marmoom and will leave from post position eight on Saturday night.
“That’s just fine for him,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “What happens in front of us with the pace will be the key to his success. With a contested pace and a clean run, I like our chances.”
X Y Jet (USA) – Came out for a leisurely jog over the Meydan main track and, according to trainer Jorge Navarro, he will merely walk on Friday.
“When it came to running in Dubai I said to myself, ‘why not?’,” Navarro said his first visit. “All the top sprinters in America are on vacation, so why not take a chance?”
A native of Panama, Navarro came to the US in 1988 and got his start in the industry as a groom and hot walker at Detroit racecourse before moving to South Florida, where he worked as an assistant and later broke babies. He took out his trainer’s licence in 2007.
“This is a chance of a lifetime,” Navarro said. “I wish all of my good horse friends back home have the opportunity to come here. This is a beautiful, first-class facility and the people have been very welcoming and great to work with. This is horse racing at its best.”
Domineer (GB) – Trainer Caspar Fownes commented: “He was out early in the morning, again just doing a steady canter on the dirt. He’s very fit and well. I was very happy he pulled a good barrier in five and he’s going to run a big race.”
Master Kochanwong (AUS) – Trainer David Hall said: “He stayed on the training track this morning but he’ll be out at Meydan proper tomorrow. My staff told me he was quite keen in his work yesterday but I would take that as a positive. It is also good that he has drawn well in two. You wouldn’t swap that barrier. He is very quick early and I expect in the run there will be more horses behind him than in front of him.”
Rich Tapestry (IRE) – Irving Chan, travelling head lad to trainer Michael Chang said: “Another day, another canter at the big track. We are keeping him as fresh as possible for the big race.”
Super Jockey (NZ) – Beverly Millard, wife of trainer Tony and the horse’s regular trackwork partner, said: “He worked fast on the dirt at home at Sha Tin last Friday and he went onto the plane a very fit horse. We didn’t want to do any fast work here because he’s like Rambo when you get him going; he puts a lot into it.
“We’ve only cantered him early in the mornings on his own all week and he’s been very good, very relaxed and he likes the cooler, drier temperature here in the morning as he has quite a dry coat at the moment.
“I rode him leading up to last year’s race when he was beaten a head by a Breeders’ Cup winner (Secret Circle) in second and I’d say he is at least as well this time around. He has also been running in better races at home on the turf and his rating is at its highest.
“We don’t have any Group races on dirt for him in Hong Kong so we’ve had to keep him on the turf but he has been performing at his best. Last year he drew gate 12 in this race and nearly won and this time we have gate six so that is also a positive and it means we can probably be a bit closer in the run. Things are looking quite bright.”
Group 1 US$1m Al Quoz Sprint sponsored by Meydan Hotels and Hospitality, 1000m (Turf)
Lady Shipman (USA) – Galloped 2000m at Meydan and will leave from post 13 on Saturday night.
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin is content with that and said: “Our strategy becomes simple now. We are on the outside and we will go that way.”
Lady Shipman is a new addition to the McLaughlin stable, and he is thrilled to have her.
“She was second in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint and we got her on January 1,” McLaughlin said. “She spent a little time in Ocala and came back to the races with a fresh mind, fit and ready. She’s a very nice filly who has done everything right. She’s grown, matured and got stronger. She has speed and will certainly be forwardly placed.”
Not Listenin’tome (AUS) – Trainer John Moore said: “He worked fine this morning. He did what we wanted, a jump-out from the gates. Then he was eased down and he cantered past the line.
“We just want to have him focused at the start on Saturday as there is a lot of pace in the race and we don’t want to be too far away in transit.
“He looks terrific, he has got that golden sheen to him and that’s when you know he is at his best. We could not get him fitter than he is now and he has been eating up all week. He’s in prime condition. He will run a big race.”
Peniaphobia (IRE) – Trainer Tony Cruz said: “He cantered on the dirt. He’s fine. He’s all set to go well again. He nearly won the race last year so we are hoping to go one better.”
Sole Power (IRE) – After working on the main grass track yesterday, the nine-year-old as kept in the quarantine barns and given a day to chill.
“We have both had a morning off and he will have an easy day tomorrow too,” said trainer Edward Lynam. “It was as good a run in his trial when he was second as he has ever put in, and when he won the race last year it was a career best, but it does look a tough race this time round.”
Naadirr (IRE) – The Marco Botti-trained five-year-old was out earlier this morning with a spin around the main track.
Botti’s wife Lucie said: “He is improving all of the time and is ready to race.”
Goldream (Ire) – Last year’s Prix de l’Abbaye winner, who did a hack canter on the dirt training track on Thursday morning, has left his Newmarket trainer Robert Cowell in a gloomy mood.
“This should have been right up his street, but I don’t think he’s had enough time to acclimatise since coming here,” Cowell said. “He looked dull in his coat when he ran on Super Saturday and that’s not like him. He always runs well on his first outing, but this time he didn’t. And he’s not improved in his coat since.”
Buffering (AUS) – Big-race jockey Damien Browne, who flew into Dubai on Thursday, was looking forward to a late-morning appointment with his Saturday mount, who was keen to get on with the job when taken a circuit of the main dirt track in the hands of regular work rider Melanie Sharpe.
Dubai debutant Browne, who has ridden Australia’s only representative in his last 21 races, including six Group 1 wins, said: “He doesn’t have the best barrier draw in nine, but they are going to quicken anyway and he’s got one style, which is to go hard for as long as he can. A couple of the others may be quick over 400m but he’ll get on top of them fairly soon.”
Muthmir (IRE) – The seven-year-old continued a low-profile preparation for his first race outside Europe, after clocking five wins from 16 outings for Newmarket trainer William Haggas, with a piece of work under regular rider Jason Favell that owner HH Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s racing manager Richard Hills described as “a two-furlong breeze.” Hills, whose patron will have 13 runners spread over Saturday’s nine races, added: “Jason is really happy with him, and that’s a good sign.”
Sir Maximilian (IRE) – Trainer Ian Williams, still relishing his first win at Britain’s premier jumps festival at Cheltenham last week, was out on the training track for the first time as work rider Dawn Oxley took the horse on a steady one-lap canter round the dirt circuit.
He has had three races over course and distance since the beginning of last month, winning once, and Williams said: “Dawn’s done a great job and he looks as good as I’ve seen him. He’s drawn 12 of 13, which isn’t ideal but he has speed on either side, so that should help.”
Group 2 $US2m UAE Derby sponsored by The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group, 1900m
Frank Conversation (USA) – Assistant trainer Leandro Mora has established a comfortable routine for the colt and he once again galloped on the main track at Meydan just after 7am.
“We had a normal gallop,” said Mora. “And tomorrow we will have a normal gallop. And that’s going to be it.”
Mora is pleased with the way the son of Quality Road has settled in.
“He eats and sleeps well and he cleans up whatever we feed him. He’s a happy horse. I’m very pleased.”
The post position draw on Wednesday left the assistant trainer to Doug O’Neill feeling a bit surprised.
“He got number one – I didn’t expect it,” he said. “Knowing now that the one is very close to the first turn, I’m kind of happy for that. We just need to figure out how Mario (Gutierrez, jockey) will handle it, but it’s really up to him.”
Lani (USA) – Did a canter once around the dirt track under regular exercise rider Eishu Maruuchi.
Lazzam (GB) – Enjoyed a gentle stretch around the main track as he has done over the last few mornings.
Trainer Marco Botti’s wife Lucie commented: “All is fine with him and I am hoping he can get placed on Saturday.”
Group 2 US$1m Dubai Gold Cup sponsored by Al Tayer Motors
Vazirabad (FR) – Was part of the French contingent that came onto the main track at Meydan. Antoine Creton, travelling head lad, said: “Vazirabad jogged and then went for a slow canter once round the track. We are not going to change the routine anymore. He and Dariyan will both just do the same again tomorrow.”
Manatee (GB) – André Fabre’s charge looked well as he came out onto the main training track at Meydan. Richard Lambert, travelling head lad for the Chantilly-based trainer, said: “Manatee is very straightforward and after jogging once round, he then did a round of a steady canter. He seems very well.”
Paradise (GER) – Italian jockey Mirco Demuro cantered the German on the turf at the Meydan training track. They did not go very fast once around the track and Demuro explained: “This is the first time I have sat on her. She is very small but has a big heart. She went well but I didn’t go very fast as she only ran on March 10. She is a bit tense, but she relaxed as she cantered.”
Certerach (IRE) – The 2014 winner of the stayers’ event had a final outing on the grass track ahead of his bid to regain his crown of 2014. Work rider Mark Morrison commented: “He feels good and is ready for the weekend.”
Suegioo (FR) – The Richard Fahey stable newcomer, whose owner Dr Marwin Koukash arrived in time for Breakfast With the Stars, continued to keep connections on their toes when rider Sammy-Jo Bell headed him towards a very steady solo spin on the training track dirt surface.
Fahey, who freshened up the seven-year-old’s preparation with a swimming session on Wednesday, said: “The great thing is he’s eating and drinking better every day.”
Big Orange (GB) – Arrived at the main training track with jockey Jamie Spencer aboard. This will be the first start for the pair since a fifth place finish in the Emirates Melbourne Cup last November.
Trainer Michael Bell observed the duo as they cantered past the viewing area for the first time. “He knows the horse really well,” said Bell.
Second time around Spencer let Big Orange open up down the stretch. The son of Duke of Marmalade covered a tremendous amount of ground with his massive stride. “Once in a while a goose turns into a swan,” said Bell.
Group 2 US$1m Godolphin Mile sponsored by Meydan Sobha, 1600m (Dirt)
Marking (USA) – Galloped 2400m at Marmoom. The McLaughlin team is happy with the progress the four-year-old colt has made, but are not thrilled with the post.
“Post two isn’t the greatest but he just needs to break well,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said. “He’ll be forwardly placed and maybe even on the lead, if he comes out clean.”
“We would have preferred an outside post,” assistant trainer Neal McLaughlin added. “With a one-turn mile, there’s a long run down the backstretch. He has a high cruising speed so we’d like to be on the lead or close to it. We’ve learned that he’s not a big fan of kickback, so we’d like to run with a clean face.”
Sloane Avenue (USA) – Worked around the main track watched by trainer Jeremy Noseda.
“He just cantered once round but we’ve completed everything before coming out here. He’s bred to run on this surface and we’re ready for action,” said Noseda.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for Marking and he’s a worthy favourite. It could be a bit of a match race between us. We had an abbreviated training programme getting here but he’s flourished for his run at Kempton. I’m more than happy with him.”
Group 1 (Purebred Arabians) US$1m Dubai Kahayla Classic empowered by IPIC, 2000m (Dirt)
TM Thunder Struck (US) – Came out onto the main track at Meydan very early, trotted and then did a steady canter once around the track.
Eric Ventrou, Alban de Mieulle’s assistant, confirmed: “I was out here at 4.01am exactly and there was one photographer taking pictures. TM Thunder Struck is in good form and seeing that he did his final work in Qatar there is no need to work him here again. So tomorrow morning we will just do the same again.”
Handassa (FR) – French trainer François Rohaut had arrived at Meydan on time to watch Handassa come out onto the main training track. He said: “He just did a steady canter this morning. He worked on Saturday and now it’s a question of keeping him a bit fresh and mentally sound for this coming Saturday. So he just went round once. He looks great and he is carrying exactly the same weight he had when he ran here last time. So his prep went well. It was important that he had a prep race here, especially as it is on the dirt.”
Lares de Pine (ITY) – The last European raider to arrive in Dubai, he made his first appearance on the Meydan main track, following the French Purebred Arabian horses and looking very relaxed and well. He did just a slow canter once around the track.
Mahess du Soleil (GB) – French trainer Arnaud Chaillé Chaillé had arrived in Meydan on Thursday morning to see Mahess Du Soleil canter on the main track at Meydan.
He said: “He only came to my yard a month and a half ago, so I don’t know him too well. But I asked Thomas Fourcy, who used to train him, to come out and have a look and we both agree that he looks well. He cantered and then stretched out a bit more over 200m to 300m. His rider says he is very supple.”
