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Dubai World Cup Notes: Jesus’ Team, Mystic Guide Take It Easy After Paddock Schooling

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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Dubai World Cup Notes: Jesus’ Team Blows Out Under Lights

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 – Uruguay's 2019 horse of the year stayed inside quarantine on Tuesday morning but is expected back on the Meydan dirt track alongside his UAE Derby-bound stablemate, El Patriota, at 5am on Wednesday.

Capezzano and Hypothetical – The two Salem Bin Ghadayer-trained Dubai World Cup charges stayed inside their trainer's base at Fazza Stables in Nad Al Sheba on Tuesday morning. Both horses completed their final bits of fast work on Saturday and are just ticking over until the big race.

Capezzano, the 2020 Group 3 Firebreak Stakes and 2019 Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 winner, started the year by finishing out of the money in the 1600m first round of the Al Maktoum Challenge and followed up with a fourth in Round 2 over 1900m.

Speaking about Capezzano, a 7-year-old son of Bernadini, Bin Ghadayer said: “The horse wasn't quite right in January. He was wrong in his coat and just wasn't himself which he showed in a couple of races where he didn't perform as expected.

“But now he's back in good health and really impressed us in his last pieces of work on Saturday over four furlongs (800m). We could have run him in the [Godolphin] Mile but with him being so well in himself and showing that the old Capezzano is back, we decided to take the chance in the big race.”

Chuwa Wizard – Japan's flagship for the race was given a gallop under his regular jockey Keita Tosaki in the first lot on the dirt track. He is the 2020 Japan Racing Association's champion dirt horse after winning the Grade 1 Champions Cup, the key race on the surface in his home country. His consistency is certainly his top selling point and before running ninth in the Saudi Cup, last month, he had never missed the board in 18 starts at home – being unplaced only once.

“He has trained well so far. The trainer told me to start a slow gallop at the beginning and then in the rest of the work I should decide the way he ran,” said his jockey Keita Tosaki. “I asked my horse to run comfortably and drive a bit more strongly towards the end of the stretch. He is more enthusiastic about his job compared to last time in Saudi, and I really understand how he is doing well and how good his condition is. He appears ready to race.

“Obviously it was not like he wasn't in good form when he ran last time, but he is definitely sharpening up mentally this time. Stretching out the distance back to 2000m with two turns in the race gives me a lot of expectations.”

Gifts Of Gold – Continues his preparation at his home base of Al Quoz. “He's as good as he can be and we're looking forward to Saturday night,” said trainer Saeed Bin Suroor.

Great Scot – Had some light exercise this morning within the quarantine facility and will train on the main dirt track tomorrow morning.

Trainer Abdullah Mishriff said: “Similar to the other Prince Faisal-owned horse, we moved our breezing day for Great Scot as we wanted to work him at home before shipping. He's come out of the breeze very well and all is going to plan. We're hoping for a good draw tomorrow.”

Jesus' Team – It was an important morning for Jesus' Team, as he was allowed to stretch his legs in the final 600m of the Meydan straight. Venezuelan trainer Jose Francisco D'Angelo couldn't have been more pleased as he watched his charge stride along.

D'Angelo said: “He trained perfectly today. I spoke with the rider and asked him to let him run along in the last 2 to 3 furlongs (400 to 600m). He did this spectacularly in '26, like I wanted. I liked what I saw today, we are ready.”

Jesus' Team hadn't breezed since his 1400m move at Palm Meadows nine days ago.

“He needed this, this gallop. He breezed like it was nothing,” D'Angelo continued. “This is my first experience in a big race outside of the USA. He represents a big promise to the owner, to my country, to [the] USA, to perform well in this race.”

Magny Cours – The 6-year-old Magny Cours spent a second morning on the training track in Dubai after leaving quarantine on Monday.

Richard Lambert, the travelling head lad who looks after the André Fabre-trained son of Medaglia d'Oro, said: “Just like yesterday he came onto the training track, where he did a little canter. We won't be doing much between now and the Dubai World Cup. Magny Cours has adapted really well and seems to really like it here.”

Military Law – This 6yo gelded son of Dubawi has grown to love conditions in the UAE and shown an affinity for Meydan's dirt track over the past two seasons despite having to deal with some truly heavyweight names.

Second in the Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 over 1900m behind Benbatl and the 2000m Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 after his victory in The Entisar, Military Law brought his form forward into the new season and made his seasonal bow in the Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge R1, which he won by a length and a quarter from Thegreatcollection in January.

He was then dispatched to Riyadh and took on a host of top dirt runners from around the world in the Saudi Cup, where he placed a distant sixth behind eventual winner Mishriff over a 1900m trip.

Trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri said conditions at Riyadh did not suit Military Law, who needed time to recover after the race, but seems back to his pre-Saudi self now after reacclimatising at Meydan. Military Law hit the Meydan dirt track for an easy canter on Tuesday and will do his last piece of work Thursday with Al Mheiri admitting he will demand a bit more then.

“He came back in good shape from Saudi but the race and all the travelling took a bit out of him. The surface was deeper on the day and he came back a little bit tired but he's bounced back to normal. He was rested on Monday, cantered today and will get a bit of a breeze Thursday morning,” Al Mheiri said.

Al Mheiri's assistant Maria Ritchie, who has also been overseeing his conditioning, added: “He had his final gallop on Saturday and Musabbeh and Antonio, who has been riding him every day, are both happy with his work. He's put in good times and worked very well and we are happy with his times.”

Mystic Guide – Godolphin's Mike Stidham-trained Mystic Guide had an easy day at Meydan, jogging one circuit of the dirt track clockwise with a pony, sticking to the perimeter. Stidham and assistant Hilary Pridham arrived the previous evening from New Orleans and were on hand.

“Everything has been fantastic and the horse was very happy and relaxed in his jog,” Stidham said. “We'll school (in the saddling enclosure and parade ring) this evening. He seems to be taking everything really well.”

Having breezed Sunday and walked Monday, Mystic Guide will likely have an easy canter on Wednesday before the late-morning post position draw.

Stidham said that he would prefer “somewhere in the middle” as far as post position. Mystic Guide is the veteran conditioner's first runner outside of America or Canada. Jockey Luis Saez has the assignment on Saturday in what will be his first Dubai World Cup night ride. His agent, former trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, won the 2007 Dubai World Cup with Invasor and is a former UAE champion trainer.

Salute The Soldier – The in-form performer is having a quiet week at the Fawzi Nass stable. The trainer reported: “He has completed all his major work and will just tick over between now and Saturday, including a scheduled visit to Meydan. It is just great to be representing Bahrain in such a prestigious race, especially to be going there with a horse who has, we hope, a genuine chance. The draw is going to be crucial in that race.”

Sleepy Eyes Todd – Frequent traveller Sleepy Eyes Todd walked in the quarantine barn today, after putting in his final breeze over 1600m the day before. Trainer Miguel Angel Silva reported the grey to have pulled up well and he will appear on the dirt track again tomorrow.

Thegreatcollection – Trainer Doug Watson said: “We are delighted with him; he did his final piece of work yesterday, went very well and looks great. We then trotted him out in the afternoon and he was fine so we cannot get to Saturday quick enough and are really looking forward to it!”

Title Ready – Charles Fipke's homebred Title Ready exited his 800m Monday breeze in top order for trainer Dallas Stewart, who arrived on Monday evening. The Grade 3 winner will be ridden by Ryan Moore on Saturday.

“He's come out of his work really good,” Stewart said. “We're happy. No problems at all.” Stewart also reported that he would prefer a post that is “a little outside”.

Moore is winless in the Dubai World Cup so far but has finished third twice with Planteur (2012, 2013).

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Dubai World Cup Horses Out in Force

Less than a week remains before the $26.5-million Dubai World Cup card, split between eight Thoroughbred races and one for Purebred Arabians. Horses were out in force over the Meydan track on Monday morning, with several turning in final works prior to the big night.

Most of the $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup hopefuls completed maintenance works on Monday, but one of the American contenders-Jesus' Team (Tapiture), runner-up in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S. on Jan. 23–galloped 1 1/2 circuits.

“We went to the track with him very early, because I want him to know the lights when we're going to run,” said trainer Jose Francisco D'Angelo, who was the champion trainer in Venezuela in 2018. “It will be his first time running under the lights. Jesus did it perfectly. The horse is 100%. He loves Dubai, the weather, the water and the environment. I think he's ready with that last work at Palm Meadows over seven furlongs under his belt.”

Another horse representing the U.S. is Pegasus fourth and Saudi Cup fifth Sleepy Eyes Todd (Paddy O'Prado), who completed a two-minute lick during the second training slot.

“He did a two-minute mile and finished the last half a mile very strongly,” said trainer Miguel Angel Silva. “He went beautifully. I really liked it. Today was the last day of working. From now on, we just wait for the big race.”

A third American horse that breezed on Monday was GIII Louisiana S. victor Title Ready (More Than Ready) for trainer Dallas Stewart. The Charles Fipke colourbearer worked 800 metres in company with G2 UAE Derby aspirant Ambivalent (Constitution) from the Doug O'Neill barn.

“We just wanted something easy in :49 or :50 seconds and that's what we got,” assistant trainer Marcelino Jacuinde said. “Pedro Velez was on him, who was here the last two times in Dubai and he rode him last week before we came here.

“I thought he went just the way we wanted. He was nice and easy. We'll walk him tomorrow and come back to the track the next couple days.”

Ambivalent pleased assistant trainer Leandro Mora ahead of a start in the $750,000 G2 UAE Derby. A son of Constitution for Reddam Racing, the Grade II-placed winner breezed 800 metres with Grade III winner Title Ready.

“He comes from a really hot stallion and he has been unlucky in quite a few races,” Mora said. “He's doing very well and we'll try to get the points to be in the Kentucky Derby in the USA. I think the 1900m distance is an advantage for him and will help him.”

Ambivalent will have plenty of competition in the Derby, with 2021 Saudi Derby hero Pink Kamehameha (Jpn) (Leontes {Jpn}) set to line up among others. Hideyuki Mori's work rider Masaki Takano was bullish on his horse, who cantered 1 1/2 laps on the dirt track on Monday morning.

“Everything about him let us know he is a very healthy horse and keeps good form,” said Takano.

Gosdens' Trio in Good Form

John and Thady Gosden's Saudi Cup and G1 Prix du Jockey Club hero Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}), who is lining up for the $5-million G1 Dubai Sheema Classic on grass, is in good order ahead of Saturday's appearance. Out of quarantine, the younger Gosden was on hand to watch the 4-year-old colt canter around the training track with stablemates Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) (G1 Dubai Turf) who won the G1 Prince of Wales's S. last year and Saudi Derby second New Treasure (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) (G2 UAE Derby).

“Mishriff has done well, he's happy and fresh,” said Thady Gosden. “He's obviously been to Saudi and back and taken the travelling well. He's a straightforward horse and, given he went from the cold at home to Saudi and then came back to the cold, he has taken it all very well.

“He's very versatile and obviously a mile and a half (2400m) will be different but it's a lovely galloping track at Meydan and Saturday will give us a pointer for the rest of the season.”

Of Lord North Gosden added, “He was fresh going around the track this morning, taking everything in, and seems to have travelled well. He came out last year when the meeting was cancelled due to Covid but he's been in similar form at home so we thought we'd bring him out.”

“He [New treasure] travelled over well and we'll take him out on the dirt track during the week,” added Gosden. “He ran well on his first start for us in Saudi Arabia and has earned his place in the UAE Derby.”

Sprinters Eye Desert Riches

Edward Bethell's Moss Gill (Ire) (No Nay Never), who is preparing for the $1.5-million G1 Al Quoz Sprint, cantered on the training track on Monday morning.

“I'm very happy with the way he's travelled,” said Bethell of his 2020 G1 Nunthorpe S. third. “We were all quite concerned because he's never been further than Lingfield in his life, so to come to Dubai was quite a challenge. He's taken it all in his stride. He's eating well now and he was very happy on the track this morning.

“He just did a very steady canter and he doesn't need an awful lot of work. He takes very little training just as long as he's fresh and happy and well. That's the main thing.”

Graham Motion trainee True Valour (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) is another Al Quoz contender and worked three furlongs over the turf on Monday morning. Assistant trainer Cat McGee was on hand to observe the work. The 7-year-old was second last out in the GII Joe Hernandez S.

“He went in :38, between the cones which are set on the outside rail. He seemed to enjoy the turf. He did it within himself and he was feeling good after. I was hoping to take him on the turf again for a gallop maybe Thursday. But he will be going around the dirt track the other days.”

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Dubai World Cup Notes: Favored Mystic Guide Exits Final Blowout ‘In Great Shape’

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 – Uruguay's hope cantered a lap on the dirt track this morning.

Trainer Antonio Cintra, who has been based at Meydan Racecourse with his five-strong Dubai World Cup Carnival team since December, said: “The two horses, Ajuste Fiscal and El Patriota (who runs in the UAE Derby) will continue like this until race day. They both did their last piece of fast work on Tuesday last week and we are very happy with them. Today we went from the 1200m pole (six-furlong), stopped at the 800m (half-mile) pole and just walked back.”

Ajuste Fiscal, Uruguay's 2019 Horse of the Year, is Cintra's first Dubai World Cup runner although the Brazilian handler has previously had runners in the UAE Derby and won the 2006 Al Shindagha Sprint on Super Saturday with Heart Alone.

“He is the first Uruguayan-bred horse to compete in the Dubai World Cup and we had been planning this campaign for him since March 2019,” he said.

Capezzano – The course and distance winner was fourth behind Salute The Soldier in the Al Maktoum Challenge R2 last month. The 2020 Group 3 Firebreak Stakes winner is trained by Salem Bin Ghadayer.

Chuwa Wizard – Chuwa Wizard hit the Meydan dirt track after 5am and cantered lightly to warm-up for tomorrow's final gallop under his regular work rider Kota Kato.

“He is very fresh this morning and is in good condition. Jockey Keita Tosaki will ride tomorrow to breeze,” Kato said.

Gifts Of Gold – Coming off a winning run on grass in the Red Sea Turf Handicap at the Saudi Cup last month, Gifts Of Gold breezed at Godolphin's Al Quoz base last Thursday.

Trainer Saeed Bin Suroor, who has won a record nine Dubai World Cups, said: “We are very happy with him, he will canter for the rest of the week and we are just hoping for a good draw now.”

Great Scot – Placed third in the Saudi Cup last month, the Saudi Arabian representative breezed 1000m (five furlongs) on Friday morning at home.

Trainer Abdullah Mishriff reported: “He shipped in from Riyadh yesterday morning, travelled fine and is settling into the quarantine center. We breezed him over five furlongs on Friday morning and we are all very happy with him. Frankie Dettori has said he will have a sit on the horse this week ahead of racing on Saturday.”

Great Scot was hand walked today inside Dubai World Cup Quarantine and will be out on the main track on Tuesday morning.

Hypothetical – The former John Gosden trainee made an impressive debut in Dubai for current handler, Salem Bin Ghadayer, when a three-and-a-half length winner over a mile in January this year. He continued to progress over the season and comes to the Dubai World Cup via a one-and-three-quarter length second behind Salute The Soldier on Super Saturday.

“He's in top form and breezed last Saturday,” said Bin Ghadayer who is based at Fazza Stables. “The Jebel Ali track just didn't suit him (when fourth in the Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile) but he's doing well back over the 2000m (1 1/4 miles) and proved that on his last run. We are expecting a big run from him.”

Jesus' Team – Shortly after 5am on Monday, 4-year-old Pegasus World Cup Invitational runner-up Jesus' Team took a turn and a half around the Meydan dirt track with his customary draw reins and blinkers applied. Trainer Jose Francisco D'Angelo watched from the rail.

“We went to the track with him very early, because I want him to know the lights when we're going to run,” he said. “It will be his first time running under the lights. Jesus did it perfectly. The horse is 100%. He loves Dubai, the weather, the water and the environment. I think he's ready with that last work at Palm Meadows over seven furlongs under his belt.”

Venezuela's 2018 leading trainer, D'Angelo moved his tack to the USA in 2019, saddling his first local runner at Gulfstream Park during the summer of that year. In the spring of 2020, Jesus' Team joined his stable and the pair have clocked up extensive miles ever since. Naturally, they never ventured as far as the UAE.

D'Angelo continued: “With Jesus, I've learned a lot about travelling all over the United States, especially in the truck. Travelling on an airplane is very different, but he arrived well. I liked the experience.”

Magny Cours – The André Fabre-trained Magny Cours arrived in Dubai last Friday after travelling from France via Belgium and the UK. However, despite the long travel, the 6-year-old was in fine form, as confirmed Richard Lambert, the travelling head lad of the French handler.

“He travelled really well and took the trip in his stride,” he said.

Mystic Guide – Godolphin's Mike Stidham-trained Mystic Guide had an easy day on Monday morning, one day after blowing out 600m (three furlongs) down the Meydan stretch. Ridden by jockey William Buick in said gallop, he will instead be piloted by Luis Saez in the big race on Saturday.

Assistant trainer Ben Trask has been in charge of the early Dubai prep of the emblazoned chestnut, a son of multiple Grade 1 winners Ghostzapper and Music Note.

“He just walked and grazed here today,” Trask said. “He came out of the work in great shape.”

Trask, a native of Southington, Ohio, who heads the Tampa Bay Downs (Florida) and Monmouth Park (New Jersey) strings of Stidham, is enjoying his first trip to Dubai and taking the pressure of Mystic Guide's favoritism in stride.

“It's been great to be here,” he said. “I have no complaints.”

Salute The Soldier – Saturday's challenger represents the epitome of international racing having been foaled in Germany, initially campaigned in Britain before transferring to Bahraini Fawzi Nass to be teamed up with Dutch jockey Adrie de Vries.

The 6-year-old Sepoy gelding arrives at the big race having won the traditional Super Saturday dress rehearsal, the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3, having also landed the 1900m Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 on his previous outing. Had the 2020 Dubai World Cup meeting gone ahead, Nass' charge would have been among the main contenders for the Godolphin Mile, now he goes to the big race itself with a live chance.

Nass said: “We are looking forward to it and his season has gone as we had hoped, probably better! He showed last year he handled the Meydan dirt so that was not an issue but we needed to test his stamina.

“The Godolphin Mile was always an option but he has earned his place in the big race and proved he stays. His work has been good and we are very pleased with him so just hope for a reasonable draw.”

Sleepy Eyes Todd – The horse of a lifetime for trainer Miguel Angel Silva, Sleepy Eyes Todd returned to the international quarantine barn in peak order after putting in his final breeze during the second training slot.

Silva said: “He did a two-minute mile and finished the last half a mile very strongly. He went beautifully. I really liked it. Today was the last day of working. From now on, we just wait for the big race.”

A frequent traveler, Sleepy Eyes Todd has already visited a variety of racecourses during his career and rider bookings have also changed with every track.

“He likes to travel,” Silva said. “Alexis Moreno is coming here on Wednesday, he will ride the horse for us on Saturday. (In) nearly every single race, Sleepy Eyes Todd has had a different jockey. We want somebody who knows the horse and how he likes to be ridden. Moreno just won the big race a couple of days ago in Saudi. He's a great jockey.”

Thegreatcollection – Doug Watson's runner has improved throughout the season to earn his place in the big race, winning the Listed Dubai Creek Mile and finishing runner-up in the first two rounds of the Al Maktoum Challenge, then fourth on Super Saturday in the third round over Saturday's 2000m (1 1/4 miles) course and distance.

Watson said: “He has been in great form all season and remains so. He has earned his spot on Saturday and hopefully draws well. They should go quick which will help him and, hopefully, he will be staying on in the straight.”

Title Ready – Charles Fipke's homebred Title Ready continued his preparation with his final pre-race breeze on Monday morning. The Dallas Stewart-trained son of More Than Ready worked 800m (four furlongs) in company with the Doug O'Neill-trained 3-year-old Ambivalent, who goes in the UAE Derby. Assistant trainer Marcelino Jacuinde was on hand.

“We just wanted something easy in 49 or 50 seconds and that's what we got,” Jacuinde said. “We just wanted to get some air and get a feel for the track with him. Pedro Velez was on him, who was here the last two times in Dubai and he rode him last week before we came here.

“I thought he went just the way we wanted,” he continued. “He was nice and easy. We'll walk him tomorrow and come back to the track the next couple days.”

Jacuinde came to Dubai with Stewart's two previous Dubai World Cup runners, Forever Unbridled (fifth, 2018) and Seeking the Soul (eighth, 2019).

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