The following notes detail contenders in Saturday's $12 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse, and were provided by members of the Dubai Racing Club media team:
Ajuste Fiscal – Had an easy workout on the Meydan dirt track at 5am on Wednesday.
“He is fit and well and really just having a leg stretcher before the big day,” said trainer Antonio Cintra.
Chuwa Wizard – The Japanese challenger was hand-walked for 60 minutes at the quarantine stable area and did not come out on the track this morning.
Work rider Kota Kato said: “He has settled well and is physically fit. He weighed 490kg today, about the same as when he won the Group 1 Champions Cup, which means he is in really good form. He will have a piece of work on the dirt track at 5am and will have a gate schooling tomorrow.”
Jesus' Team – A couple of new experiences characterized the last 24 hours for Jesus' Team and Venezuelan trainer Jose Francisco D'Angelo.
Around 6pm on Tuesday night the colt was able to familiarize himself with the Meydan paddock.
“He looked a little sharp, a little nervous because all of it is new for him. It's a long walk and the transportation from the barn is in a truck. So that is new for him,” said D'Angelo.
“He will be more focused and more professional for the race because Jesus is always better the second time around.”
The following morning Jesus' Team took two turns around the dirt, followed shortly by a first look inside the starting gates.
D'Angelo said: “Today he improved on the track, every day he is going better. He did two laps, slow to a bit faster. Similar to how we are going to run [in the race]. He's doing perfectly. We went to the starting gate today with him and he looked very professional, very focused, not nervous. I like what I see.”
The Claiming Crown Jewel victor has quite the character, with D'Angelo having many a tale to tell.
“Yesterday before he was working, he put his feet on my back,” he said. “Before the Preakness one day he tried to escape when he was being hand-grazed. Jesus is a very delicate horse. You have to be able to deal with him.”
Magny Cours – The André Fabre-trained contender made his first appearance on the dirt track at Meydan on Wednesday morning where he cantered on the back stretch before going a bit quicker in front of the grandstand.
Richard Lambert, the travelling head lad who looks after the son of Medaglia d'Oro, said: “His rider was very happy with him this morning. Everything went well and he looks in good form. He will not come back to the dirt track but will remain on the training track.”
Mystic Guide – Godolphin's Mike Stidham-trained Mystic Guide did not come to the track on Wednesday morning. On Tuesday evening, the son of champion Ghostzapper and five-time Grade 1 winner Music Note went through the schooling process at Meydan, which involves vanning over from the international quarantine barn to the receiving barn, walking the 800m tunnel, saddling, parade-ring walking and then returning.
“Based on the schooling process we gave him the morning off,” Stidham said. “He had trained in the morning and then went over there for two hours of schooling, so we just felt like it would be best to give him an easy day. We walked and grazed him. Tomorrow he will gallop and stand in the gate.
“It's a lot different; the total opposite of what we do in the States,” he continued. “Doing all this in a week's time is very demanding on a horse and their routine, so you have to adapt your training with this extra activity and that's what I'm doing. He's plenty fit. I don't want to put him over the top and have a flat horse on race day.”
Salute The Soldier – Jockey Adrie de Vries had a positive bulletin on the Fawzi Nass trainee.
“He is a very exciting horse and we are all really looking forward to Saturday,” he said. “If you remember, this time last year he was favorite for the Godolphin Mile, now he has a live chance in the big race. His final work was very good and he seems in great form. Fawzi and his team have done very well keeping him fresh and happy. I am really looking forward to Saturday.”
Sleepy Eyes Todd – To the joy of the media, Sleepy Eyes Todd posed for the cameras after gate schooling, followed by an easy gallop. Trainer Miguel Angel Silva watched intently from the rail.
“This is the first time [in the gates]. They told me the gates are different than the ones in America. We just wanted to make sure he's OK in there, because they said they are smaller,” Silva elaborated.
“He was a gentleman like always, he was perfect. Today he just galloped around to stretch his legs. The job is done. We just keep him happy. We will continue with the easy canters, easy gallops over the next few days,” Silva continued.
Regular rider Jose Sandoval was aboard Sleepy Eyes Todd, the pair having been travelling everywhere together.
As for Saturday, Silva is ready to roll.
He continued: “I have been saying this a lot, we just need racing luck. We had a few issues with other horses in Saudi Arabia, they cut us off. All of a sudden, we were 15 lengths behind. Ideally, I would like to see him four or five lengths off the speed. And in front at the wire!”
Thegreatcollection – Continued his preparation at the Doug Watson stable with jockey Pat Cosgrave excited about his chances.
He said: “I am delighted be back on him and have a decent record on the horse this season. Look, I am not saying we are going to win but I certainly think he will run a big race.”
Title Ready – Charles Fipke's homebred Title Ready came to the dirt track at 7am and had an easy hack around with his owner in town to watch. Trainer Dallas Stewart was also on hand for the first time this week.
“The horse looked great,” Stewart said. “He's doing well. The horse came in good and we're excited to see what he can do on Saturday. He looks like he's getting over the track good. Like any of them, he's going to have to step his game up. It's a good race. He's a very nice horse who's six now and he's training well and coming off his best race. His best races might be ahead. Hopefully he'll step up to this level.
“I think the competition is solid. Mystic Guide is a wonderful horse coming off a win and you have to worry about him. The other American horses are really solid, as well.”
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