The UAE Derby has long been an important race for connections seeking to have their horse compete in the Kentucky Derby with the winner attaining 100 qualifying points towards that goal, and this year's UAE Derby witnesses an international field lining up with horses from five countries set to feature.
The Japanese are mob-handed once again. Last year's winning trainer Koichi Shintani sends Goraiko, a two-time winner from five starts. On his latest start, though, he only managed fifth behind the re-opposing Perriere in the Hyacinth Stakes. Interestingly, Crown Pride was only sixth in the same race before he won the UAE Derby last year.
Perriere, the mount of Oisin Murphy, is drawn well in post 3 but he will have to reverse form with Derma Sotogake from the Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun where he was a length adrift.
Derma Sotogake was a staying on third in the Saudi Derby and should relish every extra yard here with Christophe Lemaire on board.
“The horse is in extremely good condition,” said Lemaire who rode him on Wednesday morning. “He ran very well in third last time [Saudi Derby, 1,600m]. He will be competitive.”
Speaking of the Saudi Derby, fifth from the race Continuar arrives as well. Ridden by Ryusei Sakai, he will jump from a wide draw in 12.
Group 1 Hopeful Stakes winner Dura Erede completes the quintet for Japan. While that win came on turf, he has won his only start on dirt when breaking his maiden.
Bob Baffert trainee Worcester heads the American contingent. Still a maiden after three starts, he has bumped into some very useful horses each time including when third in the Grade 3 Robert B Lewis Stakes to multiple stakes placed stablemate Newgate. Frankie Dettori takes the ride on him.
Jimmy Barnes, assistant trainer to Bob Baffert, has been particularly pleased with how his preparations have gone: “He did a workout over five-eighths this morning [Monday] and was pretty good handling the surface. He shipped fine and the workouts have gone very well.”
Should Worcester win on Saturday, he will become the first maiden horse to win the UAE Derby and will also provide his trainer with a first UAE Derby success.
Doug O' Neill sends both Carnival winners Tall Boy and Ah Jeez. The former was a game winner of the UAE 2000 Guineas while Ah Jeez won the 7f Al Karama Stakes. William Buick has stuck with the Guineas winner with the first-time visiting Tyler Gaffalione booked for Ah Jeez.
Perhaps the most interesting contestant in this race is Aidan O' Brien's Cairo. The son of Quality Road was impressive in winning the Patton Stakes last time out, a race won by Mendelssohn before he landed this race in 2018.
The three-time UAE Derby winning trainer has remained optimistic about his colt's chances: “We are very happy with him since Dundalk, everything has gone well. We thought he would come forward plenty from it and we have been happy with his work since.
“He is running over a distance further than he has run before, but we think and hope that he should run a very big race.”
Also in the race is Es-Unico, a fast-finishing second in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial, he stayed on strongly in the Saudi Derby to finish fourth.
“He has come back very well from a very good run in the Saudi Derby when he was fourth, beaten just two lengths,” said Cintra. “That distance was 1,600 metres and he will be much better over 1,900 metres on Saturday. The extra 300 metres will make a big difference.
“He races around the middle of the field and the more pace, the better for him. Joao Moreira is riding him again and it will help that he knows him better after their first experience together in Riyadh.”
The local challenge is headed by Go Soldier Go. Winner of the Al Bastakiya, the Fawzi Nass trainee has finished on the podium in all career starts and will be bearing the flag for the recently introduced Dubai Breeze-Up Sale from which he graduated last year.
The other two local challengers – Mr Raj and Lahresh – are also both graduates of the inaugural Dubai Breeze-Up Sale. Mr Raj will be partnered by regular rider Ray Dawson, with Mickael Barzalona picking up the ride on Lahresh.
With a strong US, Japan and local representation, this year's UAE Derby promises to be a belter.
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