Southern Legend is in a top form approaching the Gr.1 Dubai Turf on the Dubai World Cup undercard. Owned by Boniface Ho Ka Kui, the six-year-old won the 1400m Class 1 handicap on International day last year and progressed to a spectacular win in the Gr.1 Kranji Mile in Singapore followed by third-place finishes to Beauty Generation in both the Gr.1 Hong Kong Mile (December 2018) and Gr.1 Stewards' Cup (January 2019).Ten Furlongs catches up with Southern Legend’s legendary Hong Kong-based trainer, Caspar Fownes. He chats to us about his upcoming visit to Dubai:
Q: When is Southern Legend flying down to Dubai? Are you joining him immediately?
A: He departs from Hong Kong on February 28, 2019, at 3: 30 p.m. and I will fly down 4 to 5 days later.
Q: Are there any major training changes, taking into consideration the fact that he will be racing on dirt for the first time? Have you finalised Dubai race dates?
A: He is running in Hong Kong on February 17, 2019, in The Gold Cup over 2000m Plans have changed for Dubai races he will not be racing on dirt as the owner does not want to run him on Dirt. He will stay on the grass. So at this stage, when I come down, if I am happy with him we race him on March 9, 2019, or else we go straight to the 1800m on Dubai World Cup NightOriginally I wanted to run him 3 times in Dubai but once the owner didn't want to run him on dirt, so I changed plans and am running him in The Gold Cup instead.
Q: What kind of a horse is he to train?
A: He is a tough horse. He loves his racing and is currently in very good form.
Q: Are there any contenders you are concerned about in Dubai?
A: The Japanese horse Almond Eye looks very hard to beat.
Q: Although you are flying in well in time for Southern Legend to acclimatise, think the weather in Dubai can be a cause for worry?
A: The weather in Dubai always perfect that time of year and horses thrive while they are there
Q: Which was your favourite race with Southern Legend? And who is your favourite horse in the world?
A: His win in Singapore (Gr.1 Kranji Mile - Video) was my favourite and my favourite horse is Frankel
Published In Tenfurlongs Journey To The Dubai World Cup Vol - IV
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