Secretariat's World met veteran UAE trainer Erwan Charpy to talk about his Chilean Furia Cruzada. The daughter of Newfoundland, won the Gr.2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 in her UAE bow in 2017 before finishing third in Gr. 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 and 13th in the Dubai World Cup (G1) after a tough trip. Charpy is delighted to have her back in Dubai after a hard season in Europe. She is slowly coming back into form and will be ready to defend her title in the Gr.2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2. 

“She’s coming along very good,” Charpy said. “She actually came in a little worse (light after traveling) than last year, but is a little ahead of schedule this year with how quickly she’s getting back into shape. She’s progressing well and at the moment we are sticking to the same plan of running in (Al Maktoum Challenge) R2. She’s proven here and we look forward to it. I’m quite happy with how she’s doing and so is (jockey) Antonio (Fresu).”

He had taken the Cape Verdi into consideration, as a good race to settle the feisty mare for the Dubai season. But eventually, it was decided that she would defend her title in the Gr.2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 instead

Charpy believes that she is a fantastic filly but she is highly strung. So his tactic this year is to keep it simple and not to 'over plan' around her.

The Frenchman, who has spent over two decades in the UAE, had his first runner in the US$10 million Dubai World Cup 2017. Charpy was ‘not that happy’ to be drawn from gate 8, at the time. Later the “puzzling” rain on the day and Furia Cruzada’s famous collision with Arrogate at the start resulted in a disappointing outcome. Recalling the day, “It was a difficult time.” He says. “She is almost ready to run”. Going forward, he plans to give the Amazon princess some leeway to set the course to her back to success in the Dubai World Cup Carnival 2018.

According to him, his greatest racing moment, was the night his charge won the Gr. 2 Maktoum Challenge R2. “When she won, nobody was paying her any attention. She took everyone by surprise” says Charpy. The South American community was very ecstatic at the win. They showered him with congratulatory messages for a long time, thereafter.

“She is a very nice looking horse. She is an extravagant mover and very tough” says Charpy of his charge. Her jockey Antonio Fresu considers her to be his girlfriend. Fresu is looking forward to defend their title in the upcoming Al Maktoum Challenge R2.

As a parting shot, when asked who he expects to see in the Dubai World Cup 2018 field of runners this year, he said, “I honestly do not have a clue. Dubai World Cup deserves to have the nicest horses from every part of the world.”

SW wishes Furia Cruzada the all best for the Al Maktoum Challenge R2.