FRIDAY TRACK NOTES – REST OF THE CARD

Group 1 $5m Longines Dubai Sheema Classic

Channel Maker (USA) – Unmistakable with his high head carriage, Channel Maker galloped easily around the Meydan dirt track this morning at 7am.

He was ridden by assistant trainer Neil Poznansky, who commented on his progress: “He hasn’t missed a beat, if anything he’s better than he was in Saudi Arabia. He’s a lot of fun. He’s always bright and alert and is always looking at stuff. Every day is a new day with him. He keeps things interesting.”

Channel Maker will be ridden by Joel Rosario, who was aboard the gelding when he finished second in the Neom Turf Cup in Riyadh last month. Rosario has ridden Channel Maker a total of 10 times in his 38-race career. With Rosario in the irons, the pair have finished in the top four in every race, including a win in the Grade 1 Man O’War in 2019 and the Grade 2 Bowling Green in 2018.

Joel Rosario has ridden a total of 20 races on Dubai World Cup night. His record includes three wins, four second and two third-place results. He won the 2013 Dubai World Cup aboard Animal Kingdom (USA) and the 2017 and 2018 Dubai Golden Shaheen aboard Mind Your Biscuits (USA). Rosario has ridden in the Dubai Sheema Classic just one other time, when he finished 12th on Champ Pegasus in 2011.

Poznansky, a retired former champion apprentice jockey in the United States and Canada, is confident about the chances of Channel Maker. When asked how he plans to take on 2021 Saudi Cup Champion, Mishriff, he replied: “He’s going to have to take us on. We’re going to run our race.”

Chrono Genesis (JPN) – The stunning grey mare stretched her legs for one and a half laps over the dirt track at 5am. Trainer Takashi Saito’s representative Yasunaga Wada, the work rider, said: “She keeps her good form and feels good.”

Loves Only You (JPN) – Worked in the trotting ring in the quarantine stable area.

Mishriff (IRE) – Thady Gosden, who shares a training licence with his father John in Britain, watched on as last month’s Saudi Cup winner Mishriff completed his preparations for Saturday’s big turf event with his usual spin around Meydan’s turf course.

“We look forward to tomorrow now,” said Gosden. “As I said before 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 2400m tomorrow will be different but it’s a lovely galloping track at Meydan and the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic will give us a pointer of where to go for the rest of the season. He relaxes well in a race, even though he has a lot of natural speed.”

The 21-year-old rising star of the jockeys’ room, David Egan, will again be in the saddle after teaming up for last month’s Saudi Cup win. 

“He looks and feels well and hopefully he can do the business on Saturday,” said Egan. “He was full of beans when he came back to Newmarket from Saudi and was raring to go again so it made sense to come here. He’s been to France twice, Riyadh twice and now to Meydan so it’s a credit to Mr Gosden’s team that he’s travelled so well.

“Going for the (2400m) Longines Dubai Sheema Classic rather than the (2000m) Dubai World Cup is something (owner) Prince Faisal and Mr Gosden thought about a lot. Obviously in the back of their minds is what he will do for the rest of the year, whether he can run over 2400m or drop back in trip. Perhaps if Saturday goes well then the Arc could be an end-of-season target.

“I was only born in 1999 but ever since I was a young boy, watching the Dubai World Cup day was a huge thing. It’s just fantastic to be part of it.”

Mogul (GB) – Aidan O’Brien confirmed earlier in the week that Mogul wouldn’t need much work while in Dubai and the leading European hope enjoyed another easy morning under rider Roger Quinlan with Pat Keating overseeing things on behalf of O’Brien.

“He is a very solid horse who has a lot of experience of travelling and he seems to thrive from that really,” O’Brien said. “Mentality he has a great mind but we are not under any illusions about how competitive the race will be on Saturday with a lot of highly-rated horses in it.”

Simsir (IRE)  – Trainer Fawzi Nass said of his big-race runner: “He won our Bahrain International Trophy first time out for us which was brilliant but then ran a bit flat according to Adrie (de Vries, jockey). We tried him on dirt in the Saudi Cup which did not work out so he is back on turf which is in his favour.

“It is always a strong race though and he would look to have a bit to find on ratings but he is in good form and should run well.”

Group 1 $4m Dubai Turf Sponsored by DP World 

Felix (GB) – The first horse to set foot on the grass this morning was the Marco Botti-trained Felix, going easy all the way around. Wife Lucie Botti guided the gelding during his final workout, as customary throughout the week. 

She said: “I’m delighted with him. We did an easy canter in the straight, to let him enjoy himself. We just wanted to stretch his legs. It’s been an up and down journey the last how many months. 

“Tomorrow is very exciting. I’m so grateful to everybody who made it happen. It’s been extremely hard work from everyone. It’s a pleasure to be here.”  

Glen Force (IRE) – Trainer Fawzi Nass said of his contender: “This is obviously a big step up in class but he has been thriving in Bahrain and his recent work has been very good. We think he deserves a crack in this company and are expecting a big run but it is always one of the strongest races on the card and this year looks no exception.”

Land of Legends (IRE) – Trainer Saeed Bin Suroor said: “He ran well in Saudi in the Turf Sprint, he always tries his best. He’s training well and breezed last Thursday, he’s fit and well.”

Lord Glitters (FR) – The grey may be the oldest starter in the event but he certainly brings some of the best recent form into the race. The David O’Meara-trained 8-year-old dual Group 1 winner has impressed on the track every morning this week ahead of his latest assignment. 

O’Meara has been unable to travel but speaking from his Yorkshire base he said this morning: “Lord Glitters is all good. He had his last piece of exercise this morning on the training turf track and he’ll just jog around in the morning prior to the race. He has drawn in 4 which I think is fine. Lord North is out in 10 and Al Suhail is in 6 and they look to be the other two best horses in the race so I think that should be fine so we are all good and looking forward to it.”

Lord North (IRE) – Last season’s Group 1 Prince Of Wales’s Stakes winner had his final prep before Saturday’s race by doing a circuit of Meydan’s turf track just after 7am.

“He seems to love his racing and has a very good mind,” said Thady Gosden, who shares a training licence with his father John in Britain. “He came out last year for three days when the meeting was cancelled due to Covid but he’s been in similar form so we thought we’d bring him out. Hopefully he can run well.”

Regal Reality (GB) – The 6-year-old is a non-runner after having a temperature on Thursday. 

Vin De Garde (JPN) – Jockey Mickael Barzalona gave the 5-year-old a canter on the dirt track at 5am. He said: “The horse did an easy canter. The horse is well and happy. It looks like he got a green light, so we’ll just keep our fingers crossed that it is a good race for him and he is able to give his best. The draw is alright. I saw his races and he looks as if he likes to race in midfield or mid-to-back, so it’s going to be a perfect draw, no issue.”

Group 1 $1.5m Dubai Golden Shaheen Sponsored by Gulf News

Copano Kicking (USA) – The 6-year-old gelding, who seeks his second consecutive win in the Gulf, has had his routine work in the trotting ring.

“In consideration of his temperament, he has been trained in the trotting ring over the week which has worked all well. He is well fit and looks happy,” said his work rider Yoshiki Shibata.

Justin (JPN) – Worked in the trotting ring.

Matera Sky (USA) – The Japanese veteran star sprinter had a final piece of work on the dirt track at 5am. Trainer Hideyuki Mori, a regular visitor to Dubai, said: “He is fresh and in good form. Everything went well, he is fit and ready.”

Red Le Zele (JPN) – The 5-year-old hacked on the dirt track under his regular work rider Keisuke Fujimaki who said: “He is well settled in and relaxed but feels full of energy being ready for the race. I am confident of how good his condition is.”

Wildman Jack (USA) – The Doug O’Neill-trained trio of Wildman Jack, Parsimony (Godolphin Mile) and Ambivalent (UAE Derby) all did very little at the quarantine stable’s jogging track on Friday. 

Wildman Jack drew ideally in six of 14 under Fernando Jara in a race filled with early speed.

“We’re happy with him and with the post we got,” said Leandro Mora, assistant trainer. “I’m also very pleased with how all three are coming into the race. We will just pray for good luck with the starting gate and see how we run.

“They’ll all go without a handler in the gate, which worked out for us last year during the Carnival. I have two frontrunners with Wildman Jack and Parsimony, but they don’t have to be in front. Ambivalent has natural speed, so I see him up there, too.”

Zenden (USA) – Zenden swapped his usual 7am exercise for an earlier start at 5am on Friday. Trainer Carlos David said: “We came out here just to stretch his legs a little bit and to let him look at the lights. He hasn’t been out here this early in the morning yet, so this is good for him.”

The chestnut colt galloped 1000m under his rider, and uncle of trainer Carlos David, Jason Gracia. 

When asked how Zenden handled the Meydan lights, David replied: “He didn’t mind them at all. He didn’t even look at them.”

David then radioed his rider, Gracia, to confirm how the horse reacted. Gracia replied: “Everything was normal. He’s a pro.”

Zenden will be ridden by local jockey Antonio Fresu, who has started in six races on Dubai World Cup night.

Group 1 $1m Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored by Azizi

Extravagant Kid (USA) – DARRS Inc’s recently crowned millionaire Extravagant Kid went for an easy canter around the main dirt track at 5am under Charlie Lynch, who has also been piloting Mystic Guide this week.

The Brendan Walsh trainee seeks his 15th career victory on Saturday and has been clashing with some of the top turf sprinters in America for multiple seasons. His runs in Grade 1 company have resulted in a second and a fourth, with the latter in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

“He always shows up,” Walsh said. “On turf and dirt, he never really runs a bad race. I always thought Dubai might suit him. I think the straight six (furlongs) will suit him. In the Breeders’ Cup, he finished a very good fourth after drawing 14 of 14 and losing a lot of ground around the turn. He has a really high cruising speed and shouldn’t be too far out of it.”

Equilateral (GB) – Paid his regular visit to the training track under work-rider Nicola Dowell. The 6-year-old has wintered at Meydan, winning two 1000m events this season.

“Equilateral loves it at Meydan. He’ll still be there a furlong (200m) out, the question mark is whether he’ll get the 1200m trip,” said trainer Charlie Hills, speaking from his British stable. 

Khaadem (IRE) – Had his final pre-race workout on the turf training track ahead of Saturday’s race where he will represent the late His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

“We think he’s a very talented horse as he showed when he was fourth in two Group 1s last season,” said trainer Charlie Hills from his British base. “He lost weight after the July Cup and then the ground went against us later in the season.

“He went to Shadwell Stud for a break and thrived over the winter, he’s come back a lot heavier. This has been the plan since the end of last season, we knew he’d get his ground here, and hopefully he should have a good year.”

Man of Promise (USA) – Trainer Charlie Appleby said:  “He was impressive on his first start in Dubai but was disappointing on his last start – we’re drawing a line through it and taking it as just a blot on his copybook, it happens. If he produces the natural pace he shows at home, he should be competitive.”

Speak In Colours (IRE) – Joseph O’Brien enjoyed success on Dubai World Cup night as a jockey when he partnered St Nicholas Abbey to win the 2013 renewal of the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic.

The Irish trainer has made an impressive start to his training career with Group 1 success already recorded in Ireland, England, America and Australia.

“Speak In Colours has been a very good horse for us and has posted some good performances,” O’Brien said. “He will jump from gate 5 which I don’t think is the worst draw position to have and David Egan will ride him.

“David obviously won the big race in Saudi Arabia recently and David rode a winner for me in Bath last year so I know the horse won’t be lacking from the saddle anyway. M J Doran has done a lot of travelling with our horses in recent years and he is in Dubai with Speak In Colours and has been pleased with him all week. He did two canters again today and just increased the speed slightly on yesterday.”

True Valour (IRE) – As part of his final workout True Valour returned to the turf track once again, enjoying the footing as he went a steady lap with Eclipse Award winner Neil Poznansky on board. Graham Motion’s assistant Cat McGee, who has been looking after the strong-looking son of Kodiac, watched from the rail. 

McGee said: “He really enjoyed just going off the right way, keeping it simple. We brought him on the turf yesterday, Neil said he’s just so much more comfortable out there. We told him to just give him an easy gallop today.

“He’s doing great. All you can ask of them is to settle in. He hasn’t put a step wrong. He licks his feed tub clean. He looks like he’s just well prepared for tomorrow.”  

Group 2 $750,000 Godolphin Mile Sponsored by Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City – District One

Ambassadorial (USA) – An early canter around Meydan’s dirt track was the final prep for Saturday’s race for the globetrotting 7-year-old.

Trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam is hoping that jockey David Egan will be able to deploy some early tactical speed to overcome what could be a disadvantageous draw in stall 1.

“It was 26 degrees at 5am so we got out early to try and beat the heat,” said Chapple-Hyam from her British base. “David Egan rode him yesterday and was pleased with how he moved and felt. Ollie Turner was on board this morning and is really happy with him, he said he nearly fell off! 

“He’s drawn in stall 1, which is not the greatest, but he’s a horse that is usually quick out of the gates and the plan is jump out and go forward. He’s wearing an eye-shield and is used to the kickback at Meydan so I hope we’ll get a run for our money.”

Dieu Du Vin(JPN)- The Graded stakes-placed 4-year-old colt by Declaration of War jogged to warm up for 600m and cantered easily for 1600m over the dirt track.

A representative for trainer Yukihiro Kato said: “He is enjoying work. There are no worries about his form. I am very much looking forward to his run tomorrow.”

Dubai Mirage (IRE) – Trainer Saeed Bin Suroor said of his charge: “He needed the race last time, he came out of it well, he’s in good form and the mile will suit him; we’ll give him a chance and see how it goes.”

Urban Icon (GB) – Trainer Saud Al Kahtani spoke of his horse’s chances tomorrow night. “It’s a good race, there are some good local horses, Satish Seemar’s runners and the Japanese,” he said. “Ours is a good horse but we just don’t know yet if he will like the dirt as much as the turf. He is training very well so we’ll know tomorrow for sure if he takes to it. His first time out for us was in the Turf Sprint on Saudi Cup day and he finished a close third behind Space Blues, one of the best sprinters in Europe.”

On his choice of booking Oisin Murphy, he continued: “He’s one of the best, he knows this track very well and he has very good hands, he’s champion jockey and he has a lucky gate tomorrow too.”

Group 2 $750,000 UAE Derby Sponsored by Emirates NBD

France Go De Ina (USA) – The son of Will Take Charge worked in the trotting ring ahead of the big race.

“He is going into the race a fit horse. I am confident of how good his form is at the moment. I look forward to his chances in the race,” said the assistant to Hideyuki Mori, Masaki Takano.

Lugamo (USA) – Covered an easy 2625m on Friday at 5am.

“He had a very easy morning. A couple of days ago is where he put the most effort on the track here at Meydan. Today was just a routine exercise,” said assistant trainer, Alessandro Sano.

Lugamo will have a new rider on Saturday. Sano explained: “We’re using Oisin Murphy. I got the chance to meet him a couple of times. He’s a very humble kid. He’s very ambitious, which is one of the reasons I like him. He wants to win the race as much as we do. For a guy like him, he really doesn’t need instructions, but the ideal trip would be to get out to the lead and get as close to the rail as possible.”

Jockey Oisin Murphy has ridden 16 runners total during Dubai World Cup events. His lone victory came aboard Benbatl in the 2018 Dubai Turf and he placed second three times including the 2019 Dubai World Cup on Gronkowski. He has ridden in the UAE Derby just one other time, when he finished 14th on Golden Jaguar in 2019.

If Lugamo were to win, he would give the team their second Group 2 winner and second potential starter in the Kentucky Derby.

“We’re literally counting down the hours until the race,” said Sano.

New Treasure (IRE)  – The Saudi Derby third headed to Meydan’s dirt track with stable companions Mishriff and Lord North just after 7am.

“We hope he goes well and he goes into the race in good form. He seems to handle the dirt at Meydan,” said Thady Gosden, who holds a joint training licence with his father John in Britain.

“But the Saudi race was not as strong as the UAE Derby by any stretch of the imagination.”

Pink Kamehameha (JPN) – Dominant in the Saudi Derby last month, he put in a light canter over the dirt track at 5am and pleased his trainer Hideyuki Mori who said: “He is fresh and in good form. He goes fit and ready.”

Takeru Pegasus(JPN)- The 3-year-old grey colt by Dunkirk, a son of Unbridled’s Song, jogged for 600m and cantered easily for 1600m on the dirt track. 

“He has adopted all I have asked him for since he landed in Dubai, and everything has gone as planned. Hopefully he runs his race tomorrow,” said the assistant to Yukihiro Kato, Hideaki Asari.

Group 1 $750,000 Dubai Kahayla Classic Sponsored by Mubadala

AF Alwajel (UAE) – The Ernst Oertel-trained AF Alwajel is going into the Dubai Kahayla Classic in good form, as his handler confirmed: “It’s going brilliant. He did his final work last week, nothing serious, but he was great. He’s been doing a lot of extra distance to put some stamina into him and hopefully he turns up on the day. He is in good form and I’m very happy. He has a great draw and all things are looking good.”

Deryan (FR) – Didier Guillemin was enjoying the heat in Dubai when he watched Deryan come out onto the dirt track at Meydan on Friday where he followed his usual routine of going for a slow canter once round the track. 

“As I said, I didn’t want to work him here,” his trainer explained. “He doesn’t need to. He is ridden every day by my daughter Clemence, who absolutely adores him and she is very happy with him. He is even eating better here than he did in Riyadh. He is in very good shape.”

Hayyan (FR) – The Frederic Sanchez-trained Hayyan came out onto the dirt track on Friday morning where he did a steady canter once round the track. “He looks fit and well,” his trainer was happy to report. “He seems to be handling the heat in the morning but tomorrow we are running in the afternoon and they have announced 37°C, so we shall see.”

Mashhur Al Khalediah (KSA) – Came onto the dirt track on Friday morning where he did a slow canter and his trainer Philip Collington said: “Seeing that he cantered yesterday, he just did a really easy canter, to just keep him nice and fresh. He felt good when he did a canter yesterday and today he just did an easy canter.

“Tomorrow morning we might do the same or otherwise he will just hand walk in the quarantine area. He seems to be handling the heat great. His rider and groom said he isn’t really having a sweat. He is a cool customer and he has done a Saudi summer before, so he is used to it.”

RB Money To Burn (USA) – The only filly in this year’s renewal is ready for the big task as her trainer Eric Lemartinel confirmed on Friday morning: “She worked last Sunday and since has just been ticking over nicely. She cantered yesterday and this morning she just jogged. She’ll do another light jog tomorrow morning before leaving for the races. All is good.”

Group 2 $750,000 Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored by Al Tayer Motors

Red Verdon (USA) – Regular rider Bernie Hutchinson was back on board Red Verdon this morning as they had an easier morning following a nice canter yesterday with big race jockey David Egan getting familiar with his mount.

“Red Verdon has been on the main track every morning and his preparation has gone well. He will have to improve again from his run in Saudi Arabia,” trainer Ed Dunlop said. “Spanish Mission is in here again and he finished in front of us but he came home from Saudi Arabia in good form and he has settled in nicely in Dubai. He still has a turn of foot even at his age and runs over shorter distances so we are looking forward to Saturday and hoping he can run well.”

Royal Marine (IRE) and Volcanic Sky (GB) – Trainer Saeed Bin Suroor said of his pair: “You’ve never seen a horse like him [Royal Marine], he’s something special… but in the mornings, on the racetrack he is completely different to what he shows us at home.

“It is very rare to see, he’s up there with the top-class horses that come to Godolphin. What’s very important for him is that he can settle, travel nice and relaxed in the race – this is the key for him.

“Volcanic Sky won well last time out and it depends how fast they go and the race works out for him but he’s in good form.”

Subjectivist (GB) – Trainer Mark Johnston has been impressed with what he has seen from his representative since he arrived on Wednesday as the 4-year-old hopes to continue his progression.

“I could not be happier with how he looks,” Johnston said at Meydan this morning. “I don’t want to get carried away based on that alone but it is reassuring and happy to see. I’ve been happy with his work here, it could not have been easier. Joe Fanning has ridden him a few times at home and he is full of confidence and says he feels well. We have all of our ducks in a row and all we can do now is hope that it pans out.”

Walderbe (GER) – Following his work session on Thursday, the German-trained Walderbe returned to the dirt track on Friday morning where he did a light canter. His trainer Ralf Rohne confirmed: “He took his work yesterday really well and this morning he only did a slow canter. Everything is going well. He looks good and now it’s just a question of waiting for tomorrow.”