Life Is Good Draws Gate One in Dubai World Cup

WinStar Farm and China Horse Club's Life Is Good (Into Mischief), who won the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. in dominating fashion, has drawn gate one in the $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup. The 4-year-old colt is six for seven, with five of his wins at the graded level.

Elliott Walden, president and racing manager of co-owner WinStar Farm said, “It's an 11-horse field. He has enough time to get over, and has enough speed to put himself in a good position. It's been amazing. He has a beautiful way of moving, I think he knows he's special. It is just a blessing to have him. It's a great honour to be favourite. We feel grateful to have him.”

The Todd Pletcher trainee is joined in the starting gate by American compatriots and Grade I winners Hot Rod Charlie (Oxbow) in stall seven for Roadrunner, Boat Racing, Strauss & Gainesway and trainer Doug O'Neill; and Bob Baffert's Country Grammer (Tonalist), who runs for Zedan Racing, WinStar and Commonwealth TB, who leaves from gate five.

Leandro Mora, assistant trainer to Doug O'Neill, said, “[We are] very happy. He needs to prove it. We talked about it we wanted any post from one through seven, so we are happy.”

Added Roadrunner Racing's Greg Helm, “To be a part of this event in Dubai is outrageous. I am shaking like a leaf. I'm so excited to be here.”

Steve Asmussen's multiple Grade I-placed Midnight Bourbon (Tiznow), who carries the silks of Winchell Thoroughbreds, LLC, has drawn post eight.

Carlos Rosas, exercise rider for Asmussen, said, “I didn't want him inside drawn on the rail so we have gone for the middle in eight. Hopefully his jockey Jose Ortiz can get a good position from there. He has been training beautifully since he finished third in the Saudi Cup.”

The 2000-metre main track race is a truly international contest, as Godolphin's duo of Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and last year's third-place finisher Magny Cours (Medaglia d'Oro), for trainers Saeed bin Suroor and Andre Fabre, leave from stalls six and nine, respectively.

Bin Suroor said, “I'm very happy with that, we've got the best draw. This was always the plan for him and we've always trained him on the all-weather track at home. He's always shown his form really well on that and he's trained really well so I'm very happy with him. He worked last Saturday and it was the best work I've ever seen, clocking 1:26 on the bridle.”

He added, “He came back very well from his last run, his draw is brilliant and Christophe [Soumillon] the jockey knows the track very well. He's a two-time winner of the race [with Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) in 2018 and 2019] so it's great to have him on our side.

“It's a very tough race and it's hard to win. You always have to have a good horse. We've won it nine times and we'll try to do it again.”

Godolphin's managing director Hugh Anderson added of Magny Cours, “We have the best trainer in Europe at present and the leading jockey in Dubai on our side. Maybe they won't thank me for drawing nine, but he is in better form now having disappointed us a little last time in Saudi. He finished third in this race last year so we know he likes the track.”

Super Saturday's G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 victor Hypothetical (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), a colourbearer for Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum and trainer Salem bin Ghadayer, leaves from stall 10. Dubawi (Ire)'s Remorse (Ire), second to Hypothetical, will exit from the widest post, 11, for Al Rashid Stables, LLC and trainer Bhupat Seemar.

Japan, which has launched their strongest assault to date on the Dubai World Cup card, is represented by Shinobu Nakanishi's Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) from post three. He was runner-up in the 2021 edition of the race.

Trainer Ryuji Okubo said, “I'm happy with the gate and his condition is better than last year. He's got the experience of Meydan last year and that has served him well for this year. I'm happier this year and gate three is perfect.”

Stud Old Friends and Antonio Cintra's Aero Trem (Brz) (Shanghai Bobby) will leave from barrier two. Cintra said, “It's a good draw for him, he's a horse that can't run in the back [during his races] so it's a good draw.

“We're very proud to be here again. Last season was the first time we had a horse in the World Cup but I think this year we arrive with Aero Trem who is looking 100% so we're hoping for a good race from him.”

Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz's Grocer Jack (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}), a Group 3 winner in Germany for William Haggas, has drawn gate four.

Haggas's wife Maureen, said, “We're quite happy with that, he's inexperienced on the dirt so he wouldn't have wanted to be drawn on the inside in stalls one to three. To be more to the outside is better for him and he'll work it out on the dirt.”

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Real World Aims For Zabeel Mile Win

 

The highlight of Friday's Dubai World Cup Carnival card is the G2 Zabeel Mile Presented By Emaar Beachfront. Saeed bin Suroor's Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is riding a four-race winning streak since failing to win at the DWCC last term.

One of three in the race for Godolphin, the 5-year-old entire won Royal Ascot's Royal Hunt Cup in June and followed up in a Newbury listed affair a month later. Successful in the G3 Strensall S. versus Meydan Group 1 winner Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper) on Aug. 21, he clawed his way to victory in the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein when last seen on Oct. 2. Frankie Dettori was originally in the irons, but the Italian reinsman is off his mounts with covid, so Danny Tudhope takes his place.

“He's a different horse to the one we saw finishing placed three times last Carnival,” said Bin Suroor, who has won the Zabeel Mile in 2008 and 2012. “He really strengthened up and matured over the summer, progressing from handicaps to group company. He's been off the track since October, but we always planned to start him here, before looking at the Neom Turf Cup or the Saudi Cup. The G1 Jebel Hatta [sponsored by Emirates Airline] on Super Saturday could also be an option.”

Charlie Appleby's Godolphin pair of Zabeel Trophy hero Path Of Thunder (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) and 2020 G3 Autumn S. winner One Ruler (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) are also signed on. The former got the job done over course and distance defeating Shadwell's Moqtarreb (GB) (Kingman {GB}) last out on Jan. 7, while the latter ran sixth.

“He [Path of Thunder] kicked off his Carnival by winning a conditions race over a mile, so now he's forced himself into group company,” said Appleby, who has won this race five times already. “He should be competitive in the Zabeel Mile.”

 

First Classic of the Season

The two-for-two Shahama (Munnings) towers over the six-horse field for the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas Presented By Dubai Marina By Emaar. Unveiled going seven furlongs here on Dec. 9, the KHK Racing colourbearer drew off by nine lengths with Doug Watson's Minwah (Cupid) a distant second. Kept at that trip when returned to action on New Year's Day, the half-sister to two-time US champion Lookin At Lucky (Smart Strike) was named a 'TDN Rising Star' with another easy win in the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial for Fawzi Nass. Little Afrodite (Shackleford) was fourth that day, one better than Minwah. Three-time winner Hot Pink (Ire) (Bungle Inthejungle {GB}) is looking to return to the winner's circle after running fifth in her Meydan debut on Jan. 21.

 

Super Saturday Pointers

The 1200-metre Listed Dubai Sprint Presented By Dubai Creek Harbour By Emaar features a contentious field and Charlie Appleby sends out the duo of Man Of Promise (Into Mischief), who won this race last year, and Group 3 winner Lazuli (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

“He missed his intended start a couple of weeks ago after spiking a temperature”, said Appleby of Man Of Promise. “I didn't want to run him at less than 100% as he's a horse we think can be competitive at the Carnival. He's back on song now.”

Shadwell's Mutaraafa (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), fresh off a victory in the Listed Dubai Dash on Jan. 14, two better than Motafaawit (Ire) (Intikhab), is also back for more. There is some Southern Hemisphere flavour with Will Clarken's group-placed Parsifal (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) fresh off the plane from Australia.

Among the field for the 2000-metre Listed Zabeel Turf Presented By The Valley By Emaar is 2021 G3 Dubai Millennium S. hero Star Safari (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby. Fourth in the Sept. 24 Listed Godolphin S. at Newmarket, the 6-year-old gelding was an encouraging second in the Listed Dubai Racing Club Classic locally on Jan. 14. Bin Suroor saddles Meydan handicap runner-up Dubai Mirage (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). Hisaaki Saito trainee Integrant (Fr) (Frankel {GB}) is also one to watch, as he won the Listed Prix Lyphard at Deauville on Nov. 23.

The 2810-metre Listed Al Hail Trophy Presented By Dubai Hills Estate By Emaar features six horses bearing the royal blue of Godolphin. Dubai Future (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is a dual listed winner at Meydan and one of four in the race for Saeed bin Suroor. Fifth in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup night last year, he returned to take third at Kempton in November and was eighth to Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper) in the G3 Bahrain International Trophy. He ran out a 5 1/4-length winner of the Listed Dubai Racing Club Classic on Jan. 14. Charlie Appleby's pair of listed-placed Siskany (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and G2 Queen's Vase hero Kemari (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) also take part, with Kemari running second in the G2 Prix Chaudenay in October.

 

 

 

 

 

Click here for the group field.

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Real World Targets Saudi Cup

Dual group winner Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) pleased trainer Saeed bin Suroor in his work on Thursday and is being pointed at the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup in February. Godolphin's 5-year-old son of Nafura (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who won the Listed Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot on June 16, added the Aug. 21 Strensall S. prior to signing off last season with a narrow victory in the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein at ParisLongchamp on Oct. 2.

“He worked today and he worked really well, he's in good order and I'm very happy with him,” said Bin Suroor on Thursday. “The target with him is to take him to Saudi, but I would like to give him a race first at the end of this month.

“I will judge him when he works next week and see when I think he is ready for a race and then we'll make a plan. We don't need to run him on dirt before Saudi, I'll run him on turf, we'll go back on dirt in the Saudi Cup.”

He added, “When we took him back to Newmarket he grew and became a better horse, it's as simple as that. That is why I want to run him on turf first, to get him ready for the Saudi Cup.”

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Dark Angel’s Real World Too Strong In The Strensall

York's Saturday action kicked off in style, with the apple of Saeed bin Suroor's eye Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) again demonstrating his raw quality as his love affair with the impressive Marco Ghiani continued in the G3 Sky Bet and Symphony Group Strensall S. Dynamic in the June 16 Royal Hunt Cup at a mile and the 10-furlong Listed Steventon S. at Newbury July 17, Godolphin's progressive and as-yet untested 4-year-old was exposed on the wing early racing two lengths off the pace. Carting his rookie jockey to the front two out, the even-money favourite looked vulnerable for a few strides but stayed on again when asked a serious question to power to a 1 1/2-length success from the rock-solid 2018 winner Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper). “He might go France or Newmarket next, but his final race is going to be the [Oct. 16 G1] Queen Elizabeth II [at Ascot],” his trainer declared. “We took him to Dubai this year, but he was still weak. He's a nice horse who needs to improve, but every time he has run he has done and will be better next year.”

Real World is now unbeaten in three starts on turf and on Polytrack, with his sole start on that artificial surface coming on debut at Chelmsford in late October. Conversely unable to score on four outings on Meydan's dirt this winter, the imposing bay had managed a third placing in the Feb. 18 Listed Curlin S. but it was not until he stepped onto Royal Ascot's hallowed grass that he showed his true wares with a scarcely-believable 4 3/4-length romp in the always-competitive Royal Hunt Cup. The dam Nafura (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is also responsible for this year's Listed Cheshire Oaks winner Dubai Fountain (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), who was also runner-up in the G2 May Hill S. at two. She is a half-sister to three group winners headed by the stable's G1 Prix Jacques le Marois and G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp-winning sire Librettist (Danzig) and the brilliant G1 Queen Anne S. hero and sire Dubai Destination (Kingmambo).

The third dam Mysteries (Seattle Slew), who was third in the G3 Musidora S., produced three black-type winners including the G1 July Cup and G1 Prix de l'Abbaye de Longchamp hero and proven sire Agnes World (Danzig) and the Japanese champion sprinter Hishi Akebono (Woodman). She is also the ancestress of the GI Breeders' Cup Mile winner Tourist (Tiznow). Also connected to another of this stable's luminaries in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Royal Marine (Ire) (Raven's Pass), Nafura has the 2-year-old colt Home City (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}) who was off the mark last week.

Saturday, York, Britain
SKY BET AND SYMPHONY GROUP STRENSALL S.-G3, £100,000, York, 8-21, 3yo/up, 8f 177yT, 1:47.66, gd.
1–REAL WORLD (IRE), 131, c, 4, by Dark Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: Nafura (GB), by Dubawi (Ire)
2nd Dam: Mysterial, by Alleged
3rd Dam: Mysteries, by Seattle Slew
1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Godolphin (IRE); T-Saeed bin Suroor; J-Marco Ghiani. £56,710. Lifetime Record: SP-UAE, 8-4-1-2, $228,708. *1/2 to Dubai Fountain (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), SW & MGSP-Eng, $123,978. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Lord Glitters (Fr), 138, g, 8, Whipper–Lady Glitters (Fr), by Homme de Loi (Ire). (€25,000 Ylg '14 AR14; €270,000 4yo '17 ARJUN). O-Geoff & Sandra Turnbull; B-SCA Elevage de Tourgeville & Mme Hilary Erculiani (FR); T-David O'Meara. £21,500.
3–Duke of Hazzard (Fr), 131, h, 5, Lope de Vega (Ire)–With Your Spirit (Fr), by Invincible Spirit (Ire). (€130,000 Ylg '17 ARAUG). O-Mrs Fitri Hay; B-Runnymede Farm Inc & C W Clay (FR); T-Paul & Oliver Cole. £10,760.
Margins: 1HF, 1, NO. Odds: 1.00, 10.00, 28.00.
Also Ran: Bell Rock (GB), My Oberon (Ire), El Drama (Ire), Brunch (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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