Wednesday’s Track Notes March 23, 2022

$12 million Dubai World Cup Sponsored By Emirates Airline

The Bob Baffert-trained Country Grammer was the first of the American contingency to hit the main track Wednesday, stopping at the gap to enter and back out of the starting gates before galloping a mile and a half.

“Jimmy Barnes is very happy the way he is coming into the race,” Baffert said via text. “[The World Cup] distance is better for him.”

Hall of Fame Trainer Todd Pletcher had a busy Tuesday night schooling his two runners, Life Is Good and Colonel Liam (who runs in the Dubai Turf).

“Both horses were very relaxed and while I don’t anticipate them having any issues it was good to see,” Pletcher said.

Both horses had routine mile-and-a-half gallops before stopping and visiting the starting gate.

$6 million Group 1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic 

William Buick believes that the best is in front of Yibir ahead of a four-year-old season that begins in the Sheema Classic on Saturday.

“He looks great,” Buick said. “Obviously, it’s his first run since America so he has to live up to that run but it does look a good race for him. We all know what he can do.

“He’s got plenty of experience now, he’s been to the States twice and he’s had more racing. I think he’s a horse that, even after the Breeders’ Cup Turf, we haven’t quite seen the best of yet which is quite exciting.”

$5 million Group 1 Dubai Turf Sponsored by DP World

Co-trainer Thady Gosden has provided a positive update on his stable’s two chances Lord North and Harrovian. Both six-year-olds carry the blue-and-white silks of His Royal Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed and arrive here on the back of one start so far this year.

He said: “They both went for a canter this morning and I’m happy with them. They seem to have taken to the travelling well and we’ll work them on the main track now on Thursday morning ahead of the race.”

Jane Chapple-Hyam is delighted with how Saffron Beach has settled in at Meydan on her first trip outside of the United Kingdom.

She said: “She travelled extremely well for her first outing out of the UK and I’m really pleased with how she has settled in over there – she’s eating and drinking plenty. Her work load was all done with us in Newmarket, so in terms of her track work we’ll just be doing steady canters between now and race day.”  

The popular Lord Glitters has been one of the stars of the winter for David O’Meara’s team, winning once and hitting the frame in his other two starts at Meydan.

Stable representative Matt Ennis said of the nine-year-old: “He’s good and he had a good breeze on Sunday and on Tuesday around the main track. He felt really good and all seems well with him, he seems fresh too. We’ll just tick him over now before Saturday and be nice and easy with him, with quiet canters on the training track.”

$1.5 million Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint Sponsored by Azizi Developments

William Buick freely admits that his decision to ride runaway Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint winner Man Of Promise instead of Charlie Appleby-trained stablemates Creative Force and Naval Crown was his toughest decision .

“It wasn’t an easy choice and these choices are a privilege to have, but they also take a bit of thinking through,” he said. “We all saw Man Of Promise on Super Saturday and he was very impressive. He’s done that twice this season now, he keeps backing it up and everyone is very happy with him at home. Creative Force is a Group 1 winner but I went with the horse that had the track experience and race fitness.

“I wouldn’t necessarily be saying that there is too much between them and I wouldn’t say that my decision is an indicator of who has the better chance. It wasn’t an easy choice.”

Suesa’s trainer Francois Rohaut was out on the track to cast his eye over the four-year-old filly on Wednesday morning. He said: “She is mature now, the same bodyweight as last year, she has travelled well. I liked her trackwork this morning, she is fresh. Everything is set for a good run, it is important her stall is high, she will be beside the favourite Man Of Promise and he looks the one to beat. But I expect Suesa will run a big race.”  

Jean-Jacques Poincelet, assistant to trainer Corine Barande Barbe, said of Air De Valse: “I am happy with her preparation. She comes her fresh but she is ready. She has drawn high also near the stands’ side and that looks to be the place to be.”

$1 million Group 2 UAE Derby Sponsored By Mubadala

Pinehurst, winner of the Saudi Derby in his last start continues to train forward for trainer Bob Baffert.

“He has done nothing wrong since coming to Dubai,” assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes said. “It looked like in Saudi it was a bit of a closers’ track so we were really pleased with his effort there and we look forward to running here on this track.” 

Christophe Lemaire took to the main track for his first ride aboard Reiwa Homare, a colt who has emerged from nowhere to join the large Japanese contingent targeting this race. 

“He doesn’t have a lot of experience, he’s only run three times and two of those were on the dirt,” he said. “He isn’t the best starter but he finishes off well. He has drawn gate one so I hope he isn’t too slowly away and then I can just follow the leaders around on the rail.”

$1 million Dubai Kahayla Classic Sponsored By Ithra Dubai

Trainer Didier Guillemin said of  last year’s winner Deryan: “He is very happy on this track. The surface was a bit deep for him last time in Riyadh but he still ran well to be fourth. He won this race last year and I feel he is in the same form again. He has drawn wide in 16, that is the only negative, so he will be ridden with patience.”  

Thomas Fourcy, trainer of Hadi De Carrere, said: “All going well with him. He has come from his win in Saudi well. Good gate in two also. We are content.”  

Jean de Mieulle, trainer of Lamet Shamel QA, said: “He has a good draw in four. Some of the favourites have wide gates so that might help us. If he runs to his best he can pick up a cheque. I would forgive his run last time in Qatar things did not go his way. ”