Will Eight Be Enough For Japan In Dubai World Cup?

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — My, oh my, how times have changed.

When the G1 Dubai World Cup was introduced at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse back in 1996, its $4 million in prize-money equaled that on offer for that year's GI Breeders' Cup Classic and an American clean sweep of the top three placings–won by the legendary Cigar after an unforgettable final-furlong battle with compatriot Soul of the Matter–really and truly put the race on the map.

The locally owned Halling, one of four in the race for a trainer named Saeed bin Suroor and ridden by a certain Lanfranco Dettori, was meant to play the role of spoiler, this time on his home 'turf' after being beaten comprehensively–despite the stogie-crushing theatrics on American television of the late John McCririck–in the Classic at Belmont Park some five months prior.

Perhaps since forgotten is the fact that Japan was among the nations represented in that first World Cup by a horse called Lively Mount (Jpn), a paternal grandson of Lyphard and a three-time stakes winner on the dirt at home, including the 1995 February S. He finished a distant sixth that Wednesday evening in the desert and was never the same.

It isn't that Japan does not already own a World Cup trophy. Mirco Demuro had lots to do with that when putting arguably the greatest steer in World Cup history on Victoire Pisa (Jpn) (Neo Universe {Jpn}) over the old Tapeta track at Meydan in 2011, accounting for countrymate Transcend (Jpn) (Wild Rush) just 20 days after a massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami caused unimaginable death and destruction. Still, the nation craves a victory in this race perhaps more than any other not named the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the table appears set for such a celebration this weekend.

As the wondrous and sprawling Meydan Racecourse gets set to host its 13th World Cup–the 27th renewal overall owing to the 11th-hour COVID cancellation in 2020–yes, some things are a bit different. The World Cup prize-money has now trebled from its inaugural running, American horses are outnumbered by a count of eight-to-one by their Japanese counterparts this weekend and bin Suroor–by a desert the winningest trainer in the history of the World Cup with nine–hasn't a single entrant in the big race.

Diabolical Draws For Chief Protagonists

Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) is one of a remarkable seven returning winners from last year's World Cup programme, having dead-heated with Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G1 Dubai Turf. But he tries the grand prize this time around for the always-enterprising Yoshito Yahagi and earned his World Cup ticket with a front-running defeat of the reopposing Country Grammer (Tonalist) not far from here at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh four weeks ago.

It was never going to be a straight-forward task to begin with, but things got dicier when he drew 15 of 15 Wednesday. The strategy is clear–jump and run, pedal to the metal, you choose–but the margin for error is razor thin.

“Even if he misses the break, we have one tactic and that is to roll forward,” said Yahagi. “We considered going towards the Dubai Turf again but, given his win in Saudi Arabia, we thought why not have a go at the Dubai World Cup. He deserves his chance.”

With wins literally all over the world, some against all odds, it would be folly to doubt a guy as masterful as Yahagi has been, but that isn't stopping 14 others from trying. Country Grammer looked off the bridle in the Saudi Cup, similar to the way he did in this race last year before grinding it out, and he was gaining on Panthalassa last time, but the wire came a few strides too soon.

The 6-year-old is the final World Cup ride for Dettori, whose win last year was his record-equaling fourth, but first since Electrocutionist (Red Ransom) in 2006. He is taking nothing for granted, but neither would he change places with anyone.

“One thing for sure with Country Grammer is that he's all about leaving everything on the track. You know he's going to run until the end so I couldn't ask for a better companion,” the Italian said. “It's not going to be easy and stall 14 is not ideal. I spoke to [part-owner] Amr Zedan last night and just said that it is what it is. We can't change it now so let's get on with it and see how the race unfolds.”

Back for a second crack at World Cup night glory is 2022 G2 UAE Derby hero Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}), who once again has the services of Damian Lane, but others of the Japanese contingent are already proven at the Group 1 level. Cafe Pharoah (American Pharoah), a very good third in Saudi, is a two-time winner of the February S., while between them, T O Keynes (Jpn) (Sinister Minister) and  Jun Light Bolt (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) have won the last two runnings of the Champions Cup. Vela Azul (Jpn) (Eishin Flash {Jpn}), slashing winner of the G1 Japan Cup, and Geoglyph (Jpn) (Drefong), last year's G1 Satsuki Sho victor and fourth in the Saudi Cup when trying the dirt for the first time, earned their stripes on the turf and can't be discounted.

Given the domination he displayed in the first two rounds of the Al Maktoum Challenge series, Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) is a serious contender for Simon and Ed Crisford, even if he is also drawn awkwardly in barrier 13.

“The horse has transformed for racing on this surface,” said the elder Crisford, a longtime advisor to Sheikh Mohammed and his team before branching out. “He was a rock-solid horse on turf but since he's been running on the Meydan dirt, which really plays to his strengths, he's stepped up to another level. He's the best local horse in the race and if he can run the same sort of race as he's done in the lead-ups, he'll be right in the mix.”

Crisford was also part of a quasi-steering committee that led to the creation of the World Cup and the 2023 iteration embodies his comments.

“The winners of this race have been the best horses in the world and I think what the race set out to achieve has been achieved in absolute international spades,” he said.

Country Grammer | Dubai Racing Club

Appleby Puts Faith In Romance

Charlie Appleby has nominated $6-million G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic hope Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) as the horse he is most looking forward to running on Dubai World Cup Night.

Japanese Horse of the Year Equinox (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}) may be a short-priced favourite for the race but Appleby, who runs six horses in total on World Cup Night at Meydan, holds no fears with Rebel's Romance.

He said of the 2022 GI Breeders' Cup Turf victor, “Rebel's Romance is the one I am most looking forward to. He is unbeaten in five starts over a mile and a half on turf, three of those at Group 1 level, including a Breeders' Cup. You can't really ask for much more than that.”

The Dubawi gelding already has a victory at this meeting on his record–successful in the UAE Derby in 2021–and hopes are clearly high for another with the trainer undeterred by Rebel's Romance missing his intended start on Super Saturday owing to a minor inflammation.

“Ideally, he would have had a race start leading into the big night, but he did a racecourse gallop 10 days ago and we were delighted with that,” he said.

“It's a race of real strength in depth with formlines all over the world coming together, but he's a terrific horse who has done nothing but improve as he has got older.”

Fellow Godolphin standardbearer Botanik (Ire) (Golden Horn {GB}) offers some international form lines, as the gelding was only 1 1/2 lengths second to Win Marilyn (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) in Sha Tin's G1 Hong Kong Vase over this trip in December for trainer Andre Fabre. He exits a third-place run in a Chantilly synthetic affair on Mar. 4 and is likely to improve.

The Sheema Classic also sees last year's victor Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) defend his title for Sunday Racing and Hideaki Fujiwara from stall seven under Cristian Demuro. Although winless in three starts since his desert triumph, he has faced both Ascot and the intense crucible of the JRA circuit, and was second to Dubai World Cup entrant Vela Azul in the G1 Japan Cup in November. No horse has yet managed to claim more than one Sheema in the history of the race.

Juddmonte's G1 Irish Derby hero Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) makes his 4-year-old bow for Ralph Beckett after finishing midfield in the Arc from gate one and Ryan Moore has the call. Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), one of the most visually impressive winners on the Saudi Cup card when romping by seven lengths in the G3 Neom Turf Cup in February, exits post eight for Shadwell and the Gosdens and Jim Crowley is at the controls.

Rebel's Romance | Coady Photography

Can Lord North Make Further History?

In dead-heating with Panthalassa in last year's G1 Dubai Turf Sponsored By DP World, Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) became the first horse to clinch back-to-back runnings of the race.

John and Thady Gosden's charge will bid for a record-extending third win in the 1800-metre $5-million race on Saturday and the gelding is reported to be in rude health ahead of the assignment.

“The horses seem happy and well and the humidity has dropped, which is very important,” said the elder Gosden. “When I arrived at the airport at midnight it was steaming like a sauna, but the humidity has dropped off which is great. They've had a nice routine canter on this excellent training track and all three of our horses seem happy.”

A trio of Godolphin runners will do their best to derail the Gosdens and Frankie Dettori, who is seeking to extend his record for the most wins in the race from three to four, his first coming with Tamayaz (Gone West) back in 1997. In the vanguard is Real World (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a three-time group winner, who was second in both the G1 Lockinge S. and G1 Queen Anne S. last term. He was only 10th to Shadwell's Alfareeq (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in the G1 Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday.

G1 Racing Company's Serifos (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) could spoil Lord North's party, after taking the G2 Fuji S. and G1 Mile Championship in successive starts in the autumn.

Strength In Numbers For US In Golden Shaheen

American-based horses have a better-than 50% strike rate (14-26) in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen Sponsored By Nakheel and field five of Saturday's 14 runners.

Winchell Thoroughbreds' Gunite (Gun Runner), whose sire was responsible for the topper at Tuesday's Goffs Dubai Breeze-Up Sale, is the most accomplished of the group, having landed the GI Hopeful S. as a 2-year-old in 2021 before adding last term's age-restricted GII Amsterdam S. Fourth in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile in November, he resumed with a sharp success in the Listed King Cotton S. and exits a runner-up effort to US champion sprinter Elite Power (Curlin) in the G3 Riyadh Dirt Sprint on Saudi Cup day.

“He's doing really well since arriving from Saudi Arabia,” said Amanda Olds, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen. “He's quieted down and the track plays a little faster than Saudi Arabia which he seems to really enjoy.”

Switzerland (Speightstown) made history as the oldest winner of this event at eight last year and looks to become the third horse to put them back-to-back, joining Caller One and Mind Your Biscuits. A Grade III winner in the States after transferring from Chad Brown to Asmussen in 2018, he has won his only 9-year-old start, the G3 Dubawi S. on opening night of the Dubai World Cup Carnival Jan. 6. for trainer Bhupat Seemar. His is one of two former Brown inmates in the Shaheen, alongside recent G3 Mahab al Shimaal winner Sound Money (Flatter).

“He's moving like a gazelle out there,” said his top local jockey Tadhg O'Shea. “He is coming into this race equally as good as he went into last year.”

The pace looks very much on Saturday, and providing that a leaders' bias does not materialize, that could help set things up for a stormer. Japan has four chances to win the Golden Shaheen for the first time, the sneakiest of which may be Remake (Jpn), whose enigmatic sire Lani won the UAE Derby here in 2016. The Maeda family homebred was an eyecatching winner of Nakayama's G3 Capella S. on Dec. 11, producing a final 600-metre clocking of an exceptionally strong and race-fastest :35.1. He was third last time in the Riyadh Sprint, two lengths in back of Gunite, over a surface that may not have completely suited his style on the day. Red le Zele (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) is no stranger to this race, having finished second the last two years and he was last seen closing off nicely to fill the same spot behind Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid) in the G1 February S. over a mile Feb. 19. The latter fits on figures, but Saturday's trip is acknowledged to be a legitimate question mark, even by his own connections. The Golden Shaheen is the only World Cup night event yet to be won by the hosts.

All Hail The King In The Al Quoz?

The 1200-metre $1.5-million G1 Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored by AZIZI Developments looms one of the most wide-open races of the nine-race card on Saturday, and Godolphin's Al Suhail (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) is top of the heap on ratings.

Although the Charlie Appleby charge ran third in the 1800-metre G1 Jebel Hatta back in 2021, he has yet to take a top-level race outright. In his favour is his penchant for the Meydan sod, and, leaving from stall two under William Buick, he is sitting pretty after back-to-back wins in the G2 Al Fahidi Fort on Jan. 6 and in a conditions race on Super Saturday. The only question mark is the distance, as, although he has won at seven furlongs and a mile, he has yet to grace the winner's circle at six furlongs.

As chronicled here in Friday's TDN, trainer George Boughey is looking for a big run out of his 3-year-old Al Dasim (Ire) (Harry Angel {Ire}), who enters the race riding a five-race winning streak. His latest win was a 2 1/4-length drubbing of Miqyaas (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint on Mar. 4. The only 3-year-old signed on, Sheikh Abdullah Almalek Alsabah's chestnut will be ridden by Mickael Barzalona from stall eight.

“He has obviously adapted very well here throughout the winter,” Boughey said. “It was nice to get a good draw with the pace seemingly on the right side so he's in great shape.”

Practically every major racing nation is represented in the Al Quoz, and the McMurray Family's Happy Romance (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) is aiming to improve from a fourth in the G3 1351 Turf Sprint in the wake of G2 Godolphin Mile starter Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) in Riyadh on Saudi Cup Day and take her first Group 1 sprint. Second fiddle to A Case Of You (Ire) (Hot Streak {Ire}) in the 2022 edition, the 5-year-old mare drew the dreaded one post.

North America's GII Nearctic S. hero and 'TDN Rising Star' Cazadero (Street Sense), who races for Qatar Racing, Marc Detampel, Fergus Galvin and Bary Clohessy, is aiming to bounce back after trailing in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint in November and leaves from stall three. Australian lone World Cup night challenger The Astrologist (Aus) (Zoustar {Aus}) is booked for gate six and will attempt to become the second top-flight winner for his sire in the Northern Hemisphere. He took the G3 Gold Rush S. sprinting over seven furlongs down under in December and was sixth two starts later in the G1 Newmarket H. on Mar. 11. Damian Lane retains the ride for trainer Troy Corstens.

Fresh Water At A Premium In UAE Derby

Typical of almost every Thoroughbred race on Dubai World Cup night, the Japanese have a strong presence in the 1900-metre $1.5-million G2 UAE Derby Sponsored By Atlantis The Royal on Saturday with five entered. The best of Japan will test their mettle against rivals who have already proved themselves over the Meydan dirt, and new shooters from farther afield. The race is part of the Road to the Kentucky Derby, with a points breakdown of 100-40-30-20-10 to the top five finishers.

Yuji Hasegawa's Perriere (Jpn) (Henny Hughes) has won three of his four starts for trainer Yoichi Kuroiwa, including the Listed Hyacinth S. at Tokyo, a GI Kentucky Derby qualifier worth 30 points to the winner. His only blip was a third to Derma Sotogake (Jpn) (Mind Your Biscuits) in a fellow points race in Japan–the Listed Zennippon Nisai Yushun (20-8-6-4-2), held in mid-December. Hiroyuki Asanuma owns the latter, who earned a group placing in the G3 Saudi Derby going a mile on the $20-million G1 Saudi Cup undercard at the end of February.

“The horse is in extremely good condition,” said Derma Sotogake's pilot Christophe Lemaire who rode him on Wednesday morning. “He ran very well in third last time. He will be competitive.”

A third Japanese starter, the Lion Race Horse Co., Ltd.-owned Continuar (Jpn) (Drefong) could become his sire's second Classic winner after Geoglyph (Jpn)'s tally in the 2022 G1 Japanese 2000 Guineas. He, too, claimed a points contest, making his mark in the first qualifier of the year, the Cattleya S. (10-4-3-2-1) at Tokyo on Nov. 26. G1 Hopeful S. hero Dura Erede (Jpn) (Duramente {Jpn}) represents Three H Racing Co. Ltd., but he's been off since that top-tier score in late December.

Perriere, Derma Sotogake and Continuar aren't the only horses already sporting qualifying points for the Run for the Roses, as the Coolmore partners' Cairo (Quality Road) triumphed in the Listed Patton S. (20-8-6-4-2) over the Dundalk all-weather on Mar. 3. The G3 Killavullan S. went his way at Leopardstown in October, and his trainer Aidan O'Brien has already saddled three winners of the event, the latest being Mendelssohn (Scat Daddy) in 2018. Ryan Moore again as the call, and the Englishman will be aiming for a hat trick from stall five in the 13-horse field.

Speaking of that Coolmore sire, Mendelssohn's Ah Jeez ran away and hid from his foes in a conditions stakes over seven furlongs here in late February for Doug O'Neill, who is also responsible for Calumet Farm's G3 UAE 2000 Guineas hero Tall Boy (Lookin At Lucky). The duo will leave from gates four and 10, respectively. While fellow American Bob Baffert sends out the Avengers' GIII Robert B. Lewis S. third Worcester (Empire Maker).

Victorious's Go Soldier Go (Tapiture) sports a victory over Mr Raj (Bolt d'Oro) when branding his name on the Listed Al Bastakiya honour roll over this course and distance on Super Saturday for Fawzi Nass.

Perriere | Horsephotos

Bathrat Leon Back To Dirt In Godolphin Mile

Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) is one of the aforementioned seven winners from last year, having caused a front-running surprise over Desert Wisdom (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the G2 Godolphin Mile Sponsored By One Zaabeel, and looks to repeat the dose here for Ryusei Sakai and Yahagi.

A pacesetting fourth, beaten 3 1/2 lengths by Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the G1 Sussex S. and subsequently unplaced in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois, he was a close third–one spot behind future G1 February S. winner and G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen entrant Lemon Pop (Lemon Drop Kid)–in the G3 Musashino S. over 1400 metres at Tokyo in November. A competitive fourth in the G3 Hanshin Cup back on the turf the following month, he made all the running last time to win the G3 1351 Turf Sprint on the Saudi Cup undercard last time.

“We saw last year how much he enjoyed the Meydan dirt and he has enjoyed it again since coming back,” Yahagi said. “I don't think the turf straight would suit as much as the turn on dirt, so that's why we are going for the Godolphin Mile again.

One of three entrants for Seemar, Discovery Island (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) has form through top World Cup chance Algiers, having finished closest to that rival in the G3 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 over the course and distance on Jan. 6. Slowly away in the G3 Firebreak S. three weeks hence over a rare rain-affected track, he never looked happy after a sluggish dispatch and was only sixth to Prince Eiji (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), but atoned in no uncertain terms with a smart defeat of Raaeb (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and stablemate Royal Mews (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) in the G3 Burj Nahaar S. on Super Saturday Mar. 4.

“Discovery Island is doing really well and he won impressively on Super Saturday,” said the reigning UAE Champion Trainer. “We just need him to get a good break. James Doyle knows him well and keeps the ride.”

The performance here of Isolate (Mark Valeski) could bring the Golden Shaheen into some focus, as the 5-year-old was second to Tuz (Oxbow) in the G3 Al Shindagha Sprint Feb. 3 and behind Sound Money (Flatter) in the G3 Mahab al Shimaal on Super Saturday. He tries a mile for just the second time in his career. Leading US rider Tyler Gafflione gets a leg up from perennial leading trainer Doug Watson.

Subjectivist Going for Gold Again

Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) last came to Meydan when sandwiching his G2 Dubai Gold Cup win between Group 1 strikes in the Prix Royal-Oak and Ascot Gold Cup. But that was two years ago and, following Royal Ascot, he wasn't seen on the track again for 618 days, when pulling hard and finishing down the field in the G3 Red Sea Turf H. in Riyadh on Feb. 25. He is clearly the best in the field on ratings, and if returning to anywhere near the level of form of his 2021 season he would be hard to beat.

Siskany (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), Ardakan (GB) (Reliable Man {GB}) and Al Nayyir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) took the top three spots in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy and offer solid recent form, while Global Storm (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) posted a highly impressive victory on his Super Saturday comeback in the G2 Dubai City of Gold.

While the Marco Botti-trained Ardakan has been in Dubai all winter under the care of the trainer's wife Lucie, a recent arrival in Dubai from their Newmarket stable is Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), a young stayer with an interesting profile, who was third in the G1 St Leger and narrowly beaten over that same trip when last seen in listed company at Ascot. He looks tailor-made to step up again in distance.

Giavellotto's conqueror at Ascot, Al Habeeb (Ire) (Al Rifai {Ire}), is another to keep an eye on in the Cup races this season.

Also of note is Enemy (Fr) (Muhaarar {GB}), for expert dual-purpose trainer Ian Williams. He was a good second in Riyadh after winning a 12-furlong race at Meydan in early January.

The post Will Eight Be Enough For Japan In Dubai World Cup? appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Grand Glory Supplemented To The Prince Of Wales’s S.

Group 1 winner Grand Glory (GB) (Olympic Glory {Ire}) was supplemented to the G1 Prince Of Wales's S. for £70,000 on Wednesday. A winner of the G1 Prix Jean Romanet for owners Albert Frassetto, John D'Amato and Mike Pietrangelo last August, the bay was knocked down for €2.5 million at the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale. She is riding a two-race winning streak in her new colours of Haras de Hus after victories in the Listed Prix Zarkava and the G3 Prix Allez France in April and May, respectively. She faces seven others in the contest, including Sir Michael Stoute's Bay Bridge (GB) (New Bay {GB}), the winner of the G3 Brigadier Gerard S., as well as G1 Sheema Classic hero Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) for Japan and multiple Group 1 winner Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) for John and Thady Gosden.

The post Grand Glory Supplemented To The Prince Of Wales’s S. appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

International Cast Eye Royal Meeting

Entries from nine countries appear on course for the eight Group 1 races at Royal Ascot, headlined by the world's three highest-rated sprinters: Nature Strip (Aus) (Nicconi {Aus}) (Australia, 124), Golden Pal (Uncle Mo) (USA, 121) and Home Affairs (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) (Australia, 120). The Australian pair–who may face Golden Pal in the G1 King's Stand S. or contest the G1 Platinum Jubilee S.–are joined by fellow Australian invader Artorius (Aus) (Flying Artie {Aus}) (Anthony & Sam Freedman), set to run on the final day of the meeting.

Last year's G1 Everest winner Nature Strip has annexed eight Group 1 victories, including the G1 T J Smith S. at Randwick Apr. 2. Home Affairs took the G1 Lightning S. at Flemington in February. The race has been a key stepping-stone for Australia's five Royal Ascot winners–Choisir, Takeover Target, Miss Andretti, Scenic Blast and Black Caviar all winning the five-furlong King's Stand.

“We have nominated both Nature Strip and Home Affairs for the King's Stand S. and the Platinum Jubilee S. This is to keep our options open as anything can happen with horses but we should have an exciting Royal Meeting, that is for sure,” said Chris Waller's assistant trainer and racing manager Charlie Duckworth. “Nature Strip has just come back into the stable after a short break following a busy racing preparation, while Home Affairs is back in work and going well. The plan is for both horses to do the majority of their work on home soil prior to travelling to England.”

Standing in the way of the Australian runners in the King's Stand is Golden Pal, sparkling winner of last fall's GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. The four-year-old kicked off this season with a win in the G2 Shakertown S. at Keeneland Apr. 9.

“Golden Pal is doing great, he really is,” said trainer Wesley Ward. “It was a powerful performance from him in the Shakertown–but it was a comeback and I really think his next run is going to be something special. He is a once in a lifetime horse–certainly the best I have ever had–and I think he will stamp that with his performance at Ascot if he runs like I am expecting him to.

“Physically, he is an awesome specimen now and mentally he is really coming into his own. I am just so excited to get him back over there.”

Also slated to contest the Royal meeting for Ward, Platinum Jubilee S. contender Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) will bid to join a select group of horses to have won three different Royal Ascot races in successive years. The 4-year-old captured the G2 Queen Mary S. in 2020 and last year was second past the post in the G1 Commonwealth Cup before the placings were reversed due to interference.

“Barbara Banke [owner] and her team are so excited to get Campanelle back over there,” added Ward. “She had a strong performance on her comeback win at Keeneland the other day. If you watch that race against some of the fastest fillies in the country, what she did was pretty impressive.”

Representing Japan in the G1 Prince of Wales's S., G1 Dubai Sheema Classic winner, Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) may accompanied from Japan by fellow Group 1-winning contender Grenadier Guards (Frankel {GB}), who will target the Platinum Jubilee.

Hideaki Fujiwara, trainer of Shahryar, said: “I discussed with the owner [Sunday Racing Co Ltd] about future plans after Shahryar won the Dubai Sheema Classic and we agreed that the next target for Shahryar must be the races with the highest profile in the world. I believe the Prince of Wales's S. is the ideal spot for the horse.”

There are 16 entries representing the USA at today's Group 1 entry stage. Among them is a host of runners trained by Graham Motion (Spendarella (Fr) (Common Grounds {GB}), G1 Coronation S. and Sy Dog (Slumber {GB}) (G1 St James's Palace S.) in addition to Brad Cox (Caravel (Mizzen Mast) (G1 King's Stand S.) or G1 Commonwealth Cup). Christophe Clement, who is responsible for last year's GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Pizza Bianca (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), is targeting the Coronation S. The 3-year-old filly is owned by celebrity chef, Bobby Flay.

Clement said, “All options are open for Pizza Bianca after her second at Aqueduct last weekend. I am yet to have a discussion with the owner and suspect we will make a decision in the next two or three weeks. There is another stakes race in four weeks at Pimlico that she could go for and then from there you can go to Ascot. The filly will tell us what she wants to do but at the moment all options are wide open.”

Clement may also be represented by Slipstream (More Than Ready) and stakes winner Derrynane (Quality Road).

“Slipstream is very much on course for the Commonwealth Cup,” he confirmed. “He won [the Listed Palisades S.] impressively at Keeneland in April and I don't think I will run him back before Ascot. This horse has a very good mind and goes on any ground. He is very mature as well having been a good 2-year-old last year. I think he is a good horse.”

“I have also nominated a very fast filly called Derrynane. She is top-class but needs the ground on the firmer side. Similarly with Pizza Bianca, there is a stakes race for her [in the US] in late May and we may go there before deciding about the Commonwealth Cup.”

 

The post International Cast Eye Royal Meeting appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Shahryar Fends Off Yibir To Take Sheema Classic

Of the eight races for Thoroughbreds on the $30.5-million Dubai World Cup night, five of them went to horses owned, bred, and trained in Japan. Granted, $5-million G1 Dubai Turf winner Panthalassa (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) had to share his victory with His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed Racing's now-dual Turf hero Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), but that is cold comfort to other countries, who struggled to get near the winner's circle.

The night started out in much the same fashion as the Saudi Cup card in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 26 where Japan went four-for-six, with a Japanese victory, as Bathrat Leon (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) won the $1-million G2 Godolphin Mile, the second race on the card. Japan's G3 Longines Red Sea Turf H. victor Stay Foolish (Jpn) (Stay Gold {Jpn}) used his Saudi prep as a springboard to G2 Dubai Gold Cup honours, and it was only in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint that the Japanese contingent drew a top-three blank, as A Case Of You (Ire) (Hot Streak {Ire}) surged away to win by 1 1/4 lengths, putting Ireland on the board.

Back on dirt, Crown Pride (Jpn) (Reach the Crown {Jpn}) punched his ticket for the GI Kentucky Derby with a 2 3/4-length score in the G2 UAE Derby. Red Le Zele (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}), second in the 2021 G1 Golden Shaheen, once again completed the exacta in this year's version, as Speightstown ironhorse Switzerland belied his years for a cozy triumph. After Panthalassa's tie with Lord North, Authority (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), who had also taken a Group 3 in Riyadh on Saudi Cup day, charged around the course in front for much of the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, but as he gave way, countryman Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) took over to lift the evening's biggest turf prize, fending off GI Breeders' Cup Turf winner Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) by a neck. Although the G1 Dubai World Cup went to Country Grammer (Tonalist), Japan still picked up some prizemoney, as the 2021 runner-up Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) reported home third to cap a red-letter day for the island nation.

The Japanese have been aggressively upgrading their country's bloodstock from the highest tier of international racing and breeding prospects for several decades. They have now been well-rewarded on the world stage.

'Shah'king up the World Order

Already a winner of the G1 Japanese Derby, Shahryar (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was one of five horses to represent his country in the $5-million G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic on Saturday. Just 2:26.88 seconds after the gates flew, he became the fourth Japanese winner of the 2410-metre turf showpiece and fifth individual scorer on the night for Japan, which has enjoyed some stellar performances around the world in the past few months. Stay Gold (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) landed the 2001 edition, and fellow top sire Heart's Cry (Jpn) (Sunday Silence) stamped his name on the trophy in 2006. The final former winner was international wondermare Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who accomplished that feat in 2014.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) was only a neck back in second, a half-length to the good of the pacesetting Authority (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}), who denied Group 1 winner Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) by a short head.

Once the gates flew, Authority steamed up to take command, with Shahryar in that foe's slipstream and Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) sitting third. Pyledriver was also tucked in an ideal position hugging the fence a few lengths off of the leaders. For The Top (Arg) (Equal Stripes {Arg}) perched just off the inside behind the leader and Yibir raced dead last.

Freewheeling and in a relaxed rhythm on the front end, Authority entered the backstretch with the field well strung out behind him. For The Top kept Authority honest in the vanguard as the pack neared the final bend, and Burgas (Tur) (King David) launched a middle move, three deep.

A gap opened inside the final 500 metres, and pilot Cristian Demuro quickly gave Shahryar his cue. Poised to pounce with less than a quarter mile to travel, Shahryar let down strongly and began to eat into Authority's lead. Yibir, meanwhile, was winding up out in the centre of the course and what had appeared an impossible task, to get the boys in blue a winner on the night, suddenly seemed highly likely. Right as Shahryar grabbed the baton from Authority at the furlong grounds, the Godolphin runner unleashed a furious rally.

The Classic hero finally subdued a stubborn Authority and had enough left in the tank to just hold off an indomitable Yibir. It was very tight for third, with Pyledriver giving a good account of himself, but just losing out to the pacesetter.

Winning trainer Hideaki Fujiwara, who had saddled Vin De Garde (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) to a third-place finish in the G1 Dubai Turf one race earlier on the card, said, “This horse was a winner of the Tokyo Yushun, the Japanese Derby, and that is as good a race as we have in Japan. I was confident that he wasn't going to lose.

“It's very normal for him to get on his toes before he races so I wasn't too concerned and I had full faith in Cristian [Demuro] to handle the horse and take care of him during the race.”

Europe's greatest weight-for-age race, the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, at the beginning of October, is now the aim for the Sheema Classic scorer.

Added Fujiwara, “It would be a dream for me to take this horse to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. It is the race we want to win and it would mean so much to be able to take him there. That is our ambition and our aim.

“It has been a great night for Japan and a great night for our stable with a first and a third. I am so proud of our horses.”

Said Demuro, “Before the race, I knew I wanted to be behind Authority as I knew he would lead. We were able to get a nice position just behind him on the rail and when I pulled my horse out in the straight I knew he was going to win.

“For a moment he was a little lost in front, but we felt Yibir coming and I always believed we were going to get there.

“It is amazing to win a race like this. Amazing also to win on a Japanese horse. They are showing they are the best in the world.”

William Muir, trainer of Pyledriver, said, “He's run a great race, travelled powerfully but probably didn't get all the luck in running, but I can't complain. I'm delighted for the horse and the owners and I'm looking forward to the season ahead back home.”

“It was a super run and he didn't get the splits at the crucial moments, but I'm very happy with him,” said pilot Frankie Dettori of the 2021 G1 Coronation Cup hero.

Lightly raced, Shahryar was a debut winner in October of his 2-year-old year, and returned at three to take third in the G3 Kyodo News Hai (Tokinominoru Kinen) on Valentine's Day in 2021. The G3 Mainichi Hai went his way going 1800 metres on firm turf that March, and he bested eventual Japanese Horse of the Year Efforia (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) by a nose in the 2400-metre G1 Japanese Derby on May 30. Given a break, he returned to be fourth to Stella Veloce (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}) in the G2 Kobe Shimbun Hai at Chukyo on Sept. 26, and his final start prior to his Dubaian heroics was a third to Japanese Triple Crown Winner Contrail (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the Nov. 28 G1 Japan Cup.

Pedigree Notes

The legendary Deep Impact's influence is still front and centre in Japanese bloodlines, and the winner is one of 54 Group 1 winners from the late Shadai kingpin. Shahryar is the second winner of the race after his paternal half-sibling Gentildonna (Jpn), who scored in 2014. Loves Only You (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was third in 2021, and Last Impact (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) also filled that spot in the 2016 edition. Through Saturday, the son of GI Kentucky Derby hero Sunday Silence is responsible for 184 black-type winners, with 147 of them in group company.

Broodmare sire Essence of Dubai, best known as the winner of the GII Super Derby, GII Norfolk S. and the 2002 versions of the G2 UAE Derby and G3 UAE 2000 Guineas, has three black-type winners to his credit, as well as the graded-placed Unbridled Daddy (Scat Daddy).

Shahryar, one of five winners for his dam, is a full-brother to dual Group 1 winner and fellow Classic winner Al Ain (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who won the Japanese 2000 Guineas in 2017. The duo are out of the 2010 Eclipse Champion Female Sprinter Dubai Majesty (Essence of Dubai), who struck in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Sprint that same year. She was knocked down for a cool $1.1 million to Katsumi Yoshida at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale and sent to Japan. The dam's latest foal is a yearling colt by Duramente (Jpn), and she was covered by Real Steel (Jpn) last spring.

Saturday, Meydan, Dubai
LONGINES DUBAI SHEEMA CLASSIC-G1, $6,000,000, Meydan, 3-26, 3yo/up, 12f 11yT, 2:26.88, gd.
1–SHAHRYAR (JPN), 125, c, 4, by Deep Impact (Jpn)
                1st Dam: Dubai Majesty (Ch. Female Sprinter-US, GISW-US,
                                $1,509,243), by Essence of Dubai
                2nd Dam: Great Majesty, by Great Above
                3rd Dam: Mistic Majesty, by His Majesty
O-Sunday Racing Co Ltd; B-Northern Farm (JPN); T-Hideaki
Fujiwara; J-Cristian Demuro. $3,480,000. Lifetime Record:
GISW-Jpn, 7-4-0-2, $6,802,660. *Full to Al Ain (Jpn) (Deep
Impact {Jpn}), MG1SW-Jpn, $4,749,430. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick Rating: A+++.
*Triple Plus*.
2–Yibir (GB), 125, g, 4, Dubawi (Ire)–Rumh (Ger), by Monsun
(Ger). O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. $1,200,000.
3–Authority (Jpn), 126, h, 5, Orfevre (Jpn)–Rosalind (Jpn), by
Symboli Kris S. O-Silk Racing Co Ltd; B-Northern Farm (JPN);
T-Tetsuya Kimura. $600,000.
Margins: NK, HF, SHD.
Also Ran: Pyledriver (GB), Uberleben (Jpn), Alenquer (Fr), Hukum (Ire), Glory Vase (Jpn), Stella Veloce (Jpn), Dubai Honour (Ire), Dubai Future (GB), Without a Fight (Ire), Kaspar (Ger), Burgas (Tur), For the Top (Arg). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

The post Shahryar Fends Off Yibir To Take Sheema Classic appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Source of original post

Verified by MonsterInsights