MONDAY TRACK NOTES – REST OF THE CARD

Group 1 $5m Longines Dubai Sheema Classic

Berkshire Rocco (FR) – Fresh from running a fine race in the Amir Trophy at Doha last month, Berkshire Rocco has settled into his latest new surroundings according to Maddy O’Meara, who is overseeing his preparation this week for trainer Andrew Balding.

“Berkshire Rocco was joined on the training track by (Dubai Gold Cup runner) Spanish Mission and I was very happy with both of them. It was just a quiet canter this morning and I will speak to Andrew later to discuss their plan for tomorrow but they are both behaving very well and seem to be enjoying themselves here,” O’Meara said.

Chrono Genesis (JPN) – The recent Arima Kinen winner kept ticking over by cantering for one and a half laps on the dirt track on Monday morning under regular exercise rider Yasunaga Wada.

“She has settled well and moved nicely this morning. Yuichi Kitamura (jockey) is going to gallop her on turf tomorrow morning,” Wada said.

Trainer Takashi Saito’s representative, Yasuhiro Matsumoto, was supervising the 5-year-old mare and said: “She has been very relaxed and seems to be happy with the new surroundings here. As you know, a number of Japanese horses come to compete in Dubai every year, so even for her who has shipped outside of Japan for the first time, the travel has been quite easy.

“We are planning to have a global tour, such as France and America this autumn, so this is obviously a good opportunity to have a travelling experience for her.

“It will be a more competitive field than expected, which is against the Saudi Cup winner Mishriff, but I believe she has a same top level as Almond Eye and Gentildonna, so she must run well in the race.”

Loves Only You (JPN) – The 2019 Japanese Oaks winner worked one lap around the turf track under jockey Ryusei Sakai.

Trainer Yoshito Yahagi, who arrived in Dubai on Sunday and came to Meydan to watch her train, said: “Following last year’s travel experience to Dubai, she has settled in well.”

Mishriff (IRE) – The Saudi Cup and Group 1 Prix du Jockey Club winner looks set to be one of the stars of Saturday’s glittering card. After clearing quarantine, the Make Believe colt had a canter around the training track with stablemates Lord North and New Treasure. Thady Gosden, who holds a joint training licence with father John in Britain, was on hand to watch.

“Mishriff has done well, he’s happy and fresh. He’s obviously been to Saudi and back and taken the travelling well,” Gosden said. “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. It’s a pleasure for us to be out here, this is such a brilliant race meeting.”

Mogul (GB) – The Aidan O’Brien-trained 4-year-old will be a sole representative on the card for Ireland’s champion trainer and will follow O’Brien’s usual schedule for runners at this meeting by stepping out at Meydan for the first time on Tuesday.

“Mogul is in good form and we are very happy with him. He will leave Ballydoyle on Monday all being well,” O’Brien confirmed on Sunday night. 

Simsir (IRE)  – Has already justified his private acquisition by Bahraini Fawzi Nass, winning the big international race in his new trainer’s homeland, the Bahrain International Trophy, on his first start for new connections. Seemingly failed to handle the dirt most recently in the Saudi Cup.

Nass said: “Returning to turf is definitely in his favour and he is a Meydan winner, on grass, already but this looks a hot renewal so we would be hopeful rather than confident. That said, he is in great shape so should at least give a good account of himself.”

Group 1 $4m Dubai Turf Sponsored by DP World

Felix (GB) – A first experience on the Meydan track was in store for the Marco Botti-trained Felix on Monday morning, having cleared quarantine the day before.

The trainer’s wife Lucie oversees his preparation, whilst also fulfilling the role of exercise rider.

She said: “His rider Sean John couldn’t travel because of the quarantine in England and he’s got a family so he had to stay home. He was very sorry he couldn’t go. He’s lent the reins to me, for a week.

“He’s been going around steadily, allowing him to have a good look around without doing anything excessive. I will see how well he will be in himself later in the week.”

Depending on his progression, Felix might enjoy a little blowout come Wednesday or Thursday.

Glen Force (IRE) – Has joined Fawzi Nass having formerly been with Sir Mark Prescott, as was Nass’ 2012 Golden Shaheen winner Krypton Factor. Has been in great form in Bahrain and arrives on the back of three consecutive victories.

Nass said: “He has proved a decent purchase and has done well in Bahrain. He is fit and well but is taking on some top international performers on Saturday so it will be interesting to see how he goes.”

Lord Glitters (FR) – Lord Glitters is emerging as something of a Meydan specialist and the grey 8-year-old looked fantastic in the Dubai sunshine this morning under regular groom Matt Ennis. 

“We’ve been delighted with Lord Glitters in Dubai, he’s had a really good winter down there,” trainer David O’Meara said on Monday morning. “It is obviously a place he thrives in and I just think the track and the trip really suit him and it helps bring out the best in him. He just did a routine canter on the training track this morning and he’ll be back on the grass tomorrow.”

Lord North (IRE) – After clearing quarantine, he had a canter around the training track with stablemates Mishriff and New Treasure. 

“He was fresh going around the track this morning, taking everything in, and seems to have travelled well,” said Thady Gosden, who holds a joint training licence with father John in Britain. 

“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. Hopefully he can run well.”

Regal Reality (GB) – Had a 1000m spin around the turf course just after 7am. Will race for the first time in the colours of Peter Done on Saturday having been sold by owner-breeders Cheveley Park Stud. Ryan Moore is set to ride. 

Vin De Garde (JPN) – The Hideaki Fujiwara trainee did two laps of slow canter on the dirt track under his work rider Kazuo Fujiwara.

“He shipped in very well but was quite tense on the first day here. He has settled into the surroundings and gets more relaxed every day. Today he schooled in the gate to familiarise himself and I was pleased with how he was doing it right,” Kazuo Fujiwara said.

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

Al Tariq (FR) – Owes connections nothing having already won the 1000m Listed Jebel Ali Stakes and, 13 days later, Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint over the Golden Shaheen course and distance, delighting Doug Watson in the process.

Watson said: “He has earned his place in this company and has been in great form all year. Given a good draw we would hope he goes there with a genuine chance.”

Canvassed (IRE) – Sore shins reportedly curtailed his debut UAE campaign but has been a revelation this time round for Doug Watson. Flew home to snatch the course and distance Group 3 Mahab Al Shimaal on Super Saturday.

Watson said: “That was a great performance on Super Saturday when he had a terrible draw. He worked very well on Sunday but, as with all our runners, we are just hoping for a good draw.”

Copano Kicking (USA)– Was just hand walked around the quarantine stable area.

Work rider Yoshiki Shibata said: “I am very happy with how good and fresh he has been.”

Premier Star (USA) – Made his local debut when fourth behind stablemate Canvassed in the Mahab Al Shimaal on Super Saturday.

Trainer Doug Watson said: “He is a lovely, new horse and pleased us on Super Saturday. He arrived with good form in the book and we were keen to let him take his chance in this as he is a horse we like.”

Good Effort (IRE) – Prolific on all-weather surfaces in Europe, he lived up to his name when an excellent second, caught in the final strides, in Super Saturday’s Group 3 Mahab Al Shimaal over course and distance of this race.

Trainer Ismail Mohammed said: “He did well to lead from a wide draw last time so a lower gate would be preferable. He certainly showed he can run a big race on dirt and has been in good form since.”

Justin (JPN) – The 5-year-old son of Japanese Triple Crown winning Orfevre worked at the training track this morning.

Trainer Yoshito Yahagi said: “He has shipped in from Saudi Arabia and has been at Meydan for a while, so he has been settled into the surroundings. I think he is more relaxed and has been in the same good form as he is at home.”

Matera Sky (USA) – Did one and a half laps of easy canter on the dirt track. His regular work rider Masaki Takano said: “He is getting fitter and sharpening up towards the raceday. He moved nicely and he is in good form.”

Red Le Zele (JPN) – Hacked just over one and half laps of the dirt track and had a gate schooling session with a stalls handler standing beside him. He will have a similar routine on Tuesday.

Zenden (USA) – Trainer Carlos David will be looking for his first top-level victory as a trainer on Saturday with Zenden. After 20 years of working under trainers including Bill Mott and Steve Asmussen, David began training on his own in the end of 2017.

“I think everyone wants to win a Group 1 in their career, especially after such a short period of time since I started training on my own. It’s unbelievable. It would bring tears to my eyes,” he said. 

On Saturday, David will saddle his contender in the very same race where his former mentor, Asmussen, has two entries.

David said: “From the beginning, from when I was a hot walker, to a groom, to a rider, to an assistant trainer, that was the goal all along: to be able to run alongside these Hall of Fame trainers. It’s a dream come true.”

Zenden put in a strong but slow gallop over the dirt track at 8am, testing the physical strength of his rider with every stride.

“He’s very tough. I don’t do bullet works with him. That’s why you won’t see anything on his work tab and tomorrow we’re just going to stretch his legs. He’s going to back up to past the 200m marker, then he’s going to turn around and breeze from the 1600m marker to the wire. That would be a mile work. More like a two-minute lick. And he’ll pick it up the last 300m of the breeze,” David said.

Group 1 $1m Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored by Azizi

Acklam Express (IRE) – Nigel Tinkler’s charge debuted in Dubai with a blistering late charge that saw him finish a strong second in the Group 2 Meydan Sprint behind Equilateral despite having to weave clear of traffic.

It was a run that showed he could go even further and on his step up in trip by an 200m, he again placed, taking third behind Final Song in the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint, which is the dress rehearsal for Saturday’s race.

Acklam Express was worked on Sunday by jockey Rowan Scott, who rode him in both aforementioned races, and was made to limber up on Monday morning on the training track in preparation for some more work scheduled for Tuesday morning.

Tinkler has left Scott to tend to affairs in Dubai but speaking from the UK, he said: “Acklam Express didn’t work today, he only cantered around the track and we are very happy. We are very happy that he likes the place and he doesn’t want to come home. Rowan rides him every day and has ridden him in every race and he is very happy with the way he’s performing and training.

Speaking of his step up in trip for the first time for Super Saturday’s 1200m Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint, Tinkler added: “A lot of people thought he didn’t run well on that first step up in trip, but the jockey (Scott) thought he ran very well and we are looking forward to running him on Saturday.”

Equilateral (GB) – Has been in Dubai since January, winning both his starts at the Dubai World Cup Carnival, most recently in the Group 2 Meydan Sprint on February 18.

“He just went around the training track with Nicola Dowell, who has been out with him all the time,” said trainer Charlie Hills, from his British base. “I suppose the test for him will be the extra furlong (200m) on Saturday but the horse is loving it in Dubai.”

Khaadem (IRE) – Came out of quarantine to exercise around the training track.

“Nicola Dowell tells me he has travelled over really well and we’ll give him a try on the turf through the week,” said trainer Charlie Hills.

Motafaawit (IRE) – Won a 1000m turf handicap before finishing second in Super Saturday’s Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint over this 1200m.

Trainer Doug Watson said: “He seems to love that Meydan straight track and has powered home in each of his last two starts. They are bound to go quick which will give him something to aim at but, obviously, this is a much stronger race. He seems in great shape though.”

Moss Gill (IRE) – Edward Bethell’s star sprinter undertook his first run at Meydan with former trainer James Bethell watching closely as he cantered along at a steady pace on the training track.

James, 68, relinquished his role as trainer at Thorngill Stables at Middleham on January 1, making way for son Edward, who took over his licence.

James was happy with the way the 5-year-old No Nay Never gelding had shipped to Dubai and his first piece of work.

“I’m very happy with the way he’s travelled. 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. It was his first time on the training track and he was very happy,” James Bethell reported.

“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.”

Moss Gill finished a battling third behind Charles Hills’ speed bullet Battaash in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York last August over a 1000m trip and steps up an extra 200m when running in the Al Quoz Sprint on Saturday. James Bethell feels he will handle the extra trip well.

He added: “He ran perhaps one of his best races in the Nunthorpe when he was third to Battaash, but we’re going up to six (furlongs) because we ran him at Lingfield before he came out here and he was second and the five there was a bit too sharp for him down that hill so we are hoping six will suit him.

“He ran well over six furlongs as a 3-year-old, he just got beaten in a big handicap at Newmarket from the wrong draw so I don’t see there is any problem. One thing he does love is a flat track. York has been one of his best performances.”

Speak In Colours (IRE) – Multiple Group 1 winning trainer Joseph O’Brien has once again entrusted groom M J Doran with preparing Speak In Colours while in Dubai. Doran, a former accomplished amateur jockey in Ireland, played an integral part of O’Brien’s 2017 and 2020 Melbourne Cup successes and gave a positive bulletin on Speak In Colours on Monday.

“Today was his first day on the track and he just had one steady canter around the dirt track at Meydan,” reported Doran. “He has been in very good form since he stepped off the plane here in Dubai. I’ll speak to Joseph later today but I expect he will do two canters tomorrow and we will increase the speed as the week goes on.”

True Valour (IRE) – Dubai World Cup-winning trainer Graham Motion is looking for glory with veteran runner True Valour, who tested the turf track on Monday. Assistant trainer Cat McGee is in charge of the 7-year-old’s preparation and it was a positive experience for the Grade 2 Joe Hernandez Stakes runner-up.

McGee said: “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.”

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

Ambassadorial (USA) – Cleared quarantine and was taken up to the dirt track for a canter under Ollie Turner.

Trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam, supervising from her Newmarket base, is delighted with how the globetrotting 7-year-old has come out of his flight from Britain.

“He actually put 1lb on travelling so clearly likes aeroplanes,” the trainer said. “He is in the same box as he was last year when racing at the Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan so seems very happy. Ollie took him out onto the track just to give him a look this morning. David Egan will ride him on Saturday and hopefully he can have a spin on the horse sometime this week.”  

Avant Garde (USA) – Trainer Gustavo Delgado is currently in Florida keeping a watchful eye on the string at home, trusting son Gustavo Delgado Jr. to oversee the preparation for Avant Garde’s bid.

The 4-year-old grey had an easy morning cantering around the Meydan oval.  

Delgado Jr said: “He shipped in well. He’s in a good mood, showing all the good signs. He seems to like the track. Tomorrow he’s going to do a bit more than what you saw today, kind of like an open gallop. That is pretty much what he needs.” 

Delgado has been to Dubai before but adding a horse to the mix provided a new experience. One he is keen to repeat. “I like the place, the environment, the ambience. I wish I could come next year and the year after. We are going to try,” he continued.

Dieu Du Vin (JPN)– Jogged for 600m before being given a light canter for 1800m on the dirt track.

“He has been familiarised with the new circumstances around him. He is in good condition and has been the same as how he is at home. Everything is under control. Tomorrow he and his stable companion Takeru Pegasus will gallop abreast on the dirt track,” said the work rider for Yukihiro Kato.

Golden Goal (IRE) – Was fourth to stablemate Midnight Sands in the Burj Nahaar having, earlier in the season, lowered the Meydan 1400m dirt track record.

Trainer Doug Watson said: “He earned his place in the field when breaking that 1400m track record and has run well twice since over this 1600m. Neither of those races really worked out for him so hopefully he draws well and can get some cover in Saturday’s race.”

Midnight Sands (USA) – The 5-year-old has run at Meydan on seven occasions, winning the six most recent of them, highlighted by an impressive Super Saturday victory in the Group 3 Burj Nahaar, the recognised Godolphin Mile prep.

Trainer Dough Watson said: “He just loves it at Meydan on that dirt surface! That was an excellent return on Super Saturday as he had been through quarantine but he arrived in great shape and has thrived since.

“He was not particularly well drawn on that occasion either so it was a very good, exciting performance. Let’s just hope he is drawn well, in which case we go there with a big chance.”

Parsimony (USA) – Reddam Racing’s Curlin Stakes (Listed) winner of 2020, Parsimony had a blowout down the lane on Monday morning with Doug O’Neill’s assistant trainer Leandro Mora watching. He was the first horse on the track during the 5am special training session and breezed solo.

The grey will have William Buick aboard on Saturday.

“He looks really good and seems to be happy to the house that he adopted,” Mora said. “Hopefully he will win, but we know he will give us a good race.”

Last year, the son of Dominus spent the winter at Meydan as part of a small and successful O’Neill string for the Dubai World Cup Carnival. 

Urban Icon (GB) – Breezed 1000m on Friday morning in Saudi Arabia and is said to have gone very well by connections. The horse shipped in from Riyadh on Sunday morning along with fellow Saudi Arabian runners, Great Scot and the two Purebred Arabians, Mutawakel Al Khalediah and Mubasher Al Khalediah.

Urban Icon travelled well, was hand walked inside the quarantine facility and will be out on the track on Tuesday. Oisin Murphy rides will have a sit on him this week ahead of racing on Saturday.

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

Ambivalent (USA) – Well-bred Constitution colt Ambivalent will carry the famed Reddam Racing purple and white on Saturday. Trained by Doug O’Neill and assistant Leandro Mora, the good-looking individual has a lone victory from seven starts, when winning a 1200m turf maiden in a swift time at Santa Anita on February 21. Prior to that, he had placed three times, including in stakes company and was Grade 2-placed last summer.

On Monday morning, the sophomore worked in tandem with Dallas Stewart-trained Dubai World Cup contender Title Ready with a 800m breeze in reportedly about 49 seconds.

“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. I don’t see him as a good sprinter, even though he won last time sprinting.”

Fire Group (USA) – The Musabbeh Al Mheiri trainee is winless in five starts but put in his best work on Super Saturday in the Listed Al Bastakiya where he was fourth behind Salem bin Ghadayer’s Panadol in the 1900m affair on Meydan’s dirt track.

Al Mheiri’s assistant Maria Ritchie reported Fire Group had done his final piece of work last Saturday.

“He has done very well and came through nicely from his last race,” Ritchie said. “He galloped very well on Saturday and he’ll do no more work until the race. Szczepan Mazur normally rides him during work, but Antonio Fresu has been riding him lately and to get a better feel of him and he seems to be very happy with the way he’s been training and performing.”

France Go De Ina (USA) – Was just hand-walked around the quarantine stable.

Mnasek (USA) – Already a Classic winner having landed the Group 3 UAE Oaks over this 1900m. Her trainer, Doug Watson, won that race with Polar River and Rayya, both subsequently runner-up in this, in 2016 and 2018 respectively.

Watson said: “As with all our runners she is pleasing us at home but, again, the draw is going to be very important. She has a lovely low weight as a filly and we know the conditions suit her. We are very much looking forward to running her.”

Mouheeb (USA) – Has tasted defeat just once in three starts, behind the reopposing Rebel’s Romance in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial before landing the 1600m Group 3 UAE 2000 Guineas for Nicholas Bachalard and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Bachalard said: “We had a long talk after the UAE 2000 Guineas with the Saudi Derby a possibility but he had two hard races at Meydan so we decided to freshen him up. Obviously the trip is an unknown but we think he will stay. If we did not we may have gone to Saudi and stayed at 1600m.

“He is in good form at home and we think we go there with a decent chance but it will obviously be the strongest race he has contested. The draw is going to be interesting.”

Pink Kamehameha (JPN) – Winner of the 2021 Saudi Derby, he was given an easy canter for one and a half laps on the dirt track this morning.

“Everything about him let us know he is a very healthy horse and keeps good form,” said Masaki Takano, the work rider for Hideyuki Mori.

Takeru Pegasus (JPN) -Jogged for 600m before cantering for 1800m on the dirt track.

“He is a very temperamental horse, but he has been very relaxed and seems to adapt to the surroundings here. Everything has gone well so far. He will gallop accompanied by his stablemate Dieu Du Vin on the dirt track tomorrow,” said work rider Hideaki Asari.

New Treasure (Ire) – after clearing quarantine, had a canter around the Tapeta training track with stablemates Mishriff and Lord North.

“He travelled over well and we’ll take him out on the dirt track during the week,” said Thady Gosden, who holds a joint training licence with his father John in Britain.

“He ran well on his first start for us in Saudi Arabia and has earned his place in the UAE Derby,

Speight’spercomete (USA) – Remains a maiden after four starts, but a progressive one and has always been held in high regard by Doug Watson and his team.

Watson said: “He has improved all season and with each race. He stays the trip well and is in good form at home. Hopefully he draws well.”

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

Mutawakel Al Khalediah (KSA) and Mubasher Al Khalediah (KSA)- The Obaiya Arabian Classic winner and runner-up respectively shipped in from Riyadh on Tuesday morning. Both are bright and in good form. The pair just hand walked today and will be out on the training track tomorrow morning.

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

Away He Goes (IRE) – Has been far from disgraced in three Dubai World Cup Carnival outings this year.

Trainer Ismail Mohammed said: “Obviously this is a tough race but he deserves to take his chance, is in good form and should run a good race.”

Mekong (GB) – It was a first morning out on the training track for the Jamie Osborne-trained stayer. Head lad, Jimmy McCarthy said: “He cantered one circuit. He’s fresh and well, keen in himself. He breezed last Tuesday over 1200m at home before shipping on Friday. He travelled very well and has settled in well. We will just tick him over for the rest of the week.”

Spanish Mission (USA) – Doncaster Cup winner Spanish Moon is back in Dubai having raced in the Nad Al Sheba Trophy at the track last year. He enjoyed a light morning on the training track.

“Spanish Mission joined Berkshire Rocco for a quiet canter this morning on the training track,” said trainer Andrew Balding’s representative Maddy O’Meara. “He seems happy and well and I will speak with Andrew later to discuss their plan for tomorrow.” 

-END-

Acklam Express (IRE) (Nigel Tinkler) Al Quoz Sprint (Credit Dubai Racing Club & Mathea Kelley)220321 – DOWNLOAD HERE

Lord North (IRE) (John Gosden) DUBAI TURF (Credit DRC & Erika Rasmussen) 220321- DOWNLOAD HERE