G2 Dubai Gold Cup | Horse Racing Free Tips

Plans Fluid For Sonnyboyliston

G3 Longines Red Sea Turf H. runner-up Sonnyboyliston (Ire) (Power {GB}) is a possibility for the G2 Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan on Mar. 26, but trainer Johnny Murtagh will first see how his charge comes out of his latest effort before making firm plans. A winner of the G1 Comer Group International Irish St. Leger at The Curragh on Sept. 12, Kildare Racing Club's 5-year-old gelding closed up the inside in the Red Sea Turf H. and was a clear second behind Stay Foolish (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) on Saturday.

“He ran great,” said Murtagh. “I was very happy with the run. We knew he's very good but he ran his race and we were delighted. He stuck on well, stayed on well round there.

“We'll get him home and make a decision. We're in no rush after that run. Dubai is very much on his agenda but we'll see how he is in the next couple of weeks. It's a good starting place and we always thought he would improve, so let's hope he can keep going.”

Other international targets, besides Dubai, are also being considered for the gelding.

“He looked great and he enjoyed being over there,” added the former rider. “He took to it really well, he enjoyed the sun and everyone was delighted.

“He'd been to England a few times but he had never been on a plane, so it's always good when these horses can travel. There are big opportunities for them.”

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Subjectivist Camp Mulling Gold Cup Outing

Group 1 winner Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), a winner of the G2 Dubai Gold Cup on Mar. 27, is likely to start next in the G1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in June. Successful at the highest level in the Prix Royal-Oak last fall, the Dr. Walker colourbearer also saluted in the G3 March S. on Aug. 29 and earlier in the season won the Listed Glasgow S.

“He had a fantastic campaign last year–we always thought of him as a genuine St Leger horse, but that was probably his most disappointing effort through the year,” said trainer Mark Johnston's son Charlie. “We campaigned him quite aggressively last year–he ran in the Gordon, the Voltigeur, the March and then the Leger, so it was a busy summer.

“There is an element to say he's best when he's fresh–but he's also just a bigger, stronger horse this year. Last year you could struggle to keep condition on him, but this year he's taken all the work we have thrown at him. Plan A was Saudi, and we were annoyed he didn't get in there–we couldn't fathom the logic.

“I know Phil Smith framed the staying race as a handicap–and because of weight-for-age, it worked against him. But there were horses running that had been getting beaten in handicaps and went off 50-1, while he'd won a Group 1 on his last start. As soon as he didn't get in, as he was half-ready in early February, Meydan was an opportunity for another big pay day–and it was a fantastic performance.”

Looking forward to the European season Johnston continued, “We've given him a Yorkshire Cup entry–but one of the main attractions to Dubai was that he had no penalty for his Group 1, while he would have in a Sagaro, Henry II or Yorkshire Cup.

“I think Plan A will be to go straight to Ascot, because we've proved we can have him in the form of his life fresh. I think the two he'll definitely go to are Ascot and Goodwood in the summer.

“There's certainly lots to look forward to. He nearly won at Royal Ascot (King George V S., last year), and Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) only just caught him at Goodwood–both of those were over a mile-and-a-half. We always said he would get better with age.”

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Dubai World Cup Card Taking Shape

Fields for a trio of Thoroughbred Group 2s and one Purebred Arabian Group 1 on the Dubai World Cup card were drawn on Monday with the five Thoroughbred Group 1s to be finalised during Wednesday's draw ceremony.

The $750,000 UAE Derby Sponsored By Emirates NBD attracted 14 sophomores, and, as an added bonus carries 170 (100-40-20-10) points toward the GI Kentucky Derby on May 1. Saudi Derby conqueror Pink Kamehameha (Jpn) (Leontes {Jpn}) leaves from the widest stall in 14. Rated a field-topping 112, the Hideyuki Mori trainee-one of three from Japan–will knock heads with his Derby second and third New Treasure (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) for the Gosdens and Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby.

The undefeated Flatter colt Panadol (109), a winner of the Listed Al Bastakiya over Doug Watson's Speight'spercomete (Speightstown) and MSW El Patriota (Uru) (Ecologo {Arg}) on Mar. 6 for Salem bin Ghadayer also takes part. Watson's other runner is the impressive G3 UAE Oaks victress Mnasek (Empire Maker), runner-up to Appleby/Godolphin's Soft Whisper (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas after a poor beginning. America is also represented, as Doug O'Neill's GIII Bob Hope S. third Ambivalent (Constitution) will leave from gate eight.

In the G2 Godolphin Mile Sponsored By Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum City-District One, 15 horses, led by listed winner and Group-3 placed Urban Icon (GB) (Cityscape {GB}), have signed on. The first four finishers of the Mar. 6 G3 Burj Nahaar also lock horns once again: Midnight Sands (Speightstown), Group 3 winner Chiefdom (The Factor), Tuz (Oxbow) and Golden Goal (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). Satish Seemar charges Roman Rosso (Arg) (Roman Ruler)–a winner at the highest level in his native land and third in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3-and Al Maktoum Challenge R3 fifth Secret Ambition (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) have also stood their ground.

GI Cigar Mile H. runner-up Snapper Sinclair (City Zip) will take part for Steve Asmussen, as will GII Suburban S. third Parsimony (Dominus) for Doug O'Neill and dual graded-placed Avant Garde (Tonalist) from the Gustavo Delgado barn.

The 3200-metre $750,000 G2 Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored By Al Tayer Motors is anchored by Godolphin's group-placed Secret Advisor (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) from the Charlie Appleby barn. One of four in the race representing the royal blue, he is joined by G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy one-two Volcanic Sky (GB) (Street Cry {Ire}) and Global Heat (Ire) (Toronado {Ire}), both from Saeed bin Suroor.

Last year's G1 Prix Royal-Oak hero Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) aims to knock the rust off from gate 10 for Mark Johnston, while dual Italian group winner Walderbe (Ger) (Maxios {GB}) drew one to the inside for trainer Ralf Rohne. Globetrotting veteran Red Verdon (Lemon Drop Kid) makes his first journey to the desert for Ed Dunlop and leaves from the farthest gate in 11. Team Valor tasted G1 Dubai World Cup glory with Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}), and they team up with Gary Barber and trainer Andrew Balding with G2 Doncaster Cup hero Spanish Mission (Noble Mission {GB}).

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International Cast Nominated for DWC

Over 700 horses have been nominated for the 25th running of the Dubai World Cup night card on Mar. 27. Nineteen countries are represented among the 762 horses which resulted in 1,511 nominations.

Leading the 176 nominations for the $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup over 2000 metres on dirt is GI Pegasus World Cup hero Knicks Go (Paynter) for Brad Cox and GI Runhappy Malibu S. victor Charlatan (Speightstown) for Bob Baffert. MG1SW Code of Honor (Noble Mission {GB}) will also take part, while Godolphin fields undefeated Maxfield (Street Sense) from the barn of Brendan Walsh. Grade II winners Sleepy Eyes Todd (Paddy O'Prado) and Tax (Arch) have also signed on, as has John Gosden's Dubai Warrior (GB) (Dansili {GB}).

The 2410-metre $5-million G1 Dubai Sheema Classic received 167 nominations, led by globetrotting MG1SW Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) for William Haggas. Japan is sending the MG1SW and 2020 G1 Arima Kinen heroine Chrono Genesis (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}) and G1SW Glory Vase (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Other top-level winners on the list of nominees include Bill Mott's Channel Maker (English Channel), David Smaga's Nao Da Mais (Brz) (T. H. Approval) and Aidan O'Brien's Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}).

Held over 1800 metres, the $4-million G1 Dubai Turf attracted 209 nominees led by Group 1 winner Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) for John Gosden and GI Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational S. winner Colonel Liam (Liam's Map) for Todd Pletcher. Pletcher also saddles GSW Largent (Into Mischief). G1 Queen Anne S. hero Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper) is also part of the field for David O'Meara.

Americans have won 13 of the 24 editions of the $1.5-million G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, and Grade I winner C Z Rocket (City Zip) is the leading light for trainer Peter Miller of the 184 nominees. Steve Asmussen's Yaupon (Uncle Mo) has saluted at Grade II level, while 2019 Golden Shaheen runner-up Matera Sky (Speightstown) returns from the yard of Hideyuki Mori. Japan also has Yoshito Yahagi's Justin (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), while Gladiator King (Curlin) represents the locals in the 1200-metre test.

The fifth Thoroughbred Group 1 on tap for the evening is the $1-million Al Quoz Sprint, with 178 horses named as hopefuls for the six-panel turf dash. Aussie MG1SW Bivouac (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) flies the flag for Godolphin and James Cummings. Fellow Aussie Oleksandra (Aus) (Animal Kingdom) moved to the barn of American Neil Drysdale, but also is signed on, as is Roger Teal's G1 July Cup victor Oxted (GB) (Mayson {GB}) among others.

The G2 UAE Derby drew 148 prospective sophomores and Steve Asmussen's MGISW Jackie's Warrior (Maclean's Music) leads the way. Doug O'Neill sends GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile bridesmaid Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow), and Bob Baffert's duo of GSW & GISP Spielberg (Union Rags) and recent GSW Medina Spirit (Protonico). Listed UAE 1000 Guineas heroine Soft Whisper (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) could also make some noise.

In the $750,000 G2 Godolphin Mile, Hong Kong sends Elusive State (Aus) (All American {Aus}), while MGSW Mr Freeze (To Honor and Serve) represents Dale Romans. The 237 nominations also see Fawzi Nass's Port Lions (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) set to run.

Rounding out the Throughbred races is the $750,000 G2 Dubai Gold Cup over 3200 metres on grass. The 121 nominees features G1 Melbourne Cup placegetter Prince of Arran (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}), Jamie Osborne's Mekong (GB) (Frankel {GB}), and French Group 1 winners Call the Wind (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}), the latter for Mark Johnston.

For the full list of the nominees, please click here. The first supplementary stage closes on Feb. 10, the second on Mar. 8 and the final supplementary stage on Mar. 21. Connections must pay 0.1% at the first stage, 1% at the second stage and 10% at the final stage of their respective races' prizemoney to enter.

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