Stormy Liberal, the Kentucky bred product of Rockingham Ranch, who was claimed at a modest US$40,000 by owner Gary Hartunian blazed from the off the rail on the final turn to win the Gr.1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint. With similar track conditions he should be able to ‘storm’ Meydan as well taking the US$1 Million Al Quoz sprint with ease.
Although he did not do as well in his first trip abroad to race in the Gr.1 Hong Kong Sprint his exercise rider Amber Chapman, who reported that the son of Stormy Atlantic has been “super happy” since arriving at Meydan.
His stable mate Conquest Tsunami is the real challenger here. He has been first in last two starts and expected to fall in the final three in the A 6-year-old by Stormy Atlantic, Conquest Tsunami improved his record to 2-for-2 since escaping the wildfires that hit Miller’s barns in December at the San Luis Rey Downs training center.
Godolphin’s speedster is another top contender for the holds the track record over 1200 metres at Ascot following a win there last October. Trainer Charlie Appleby said. “He is in good form.” Although higher in ratings can he beat the international raiders? Blue Point’s form suggests he will be a serious threat in the Al Quoz. The colt sired by Shamardal acts on good and fast ground which should be the case this weekend.
Music Magnate is Bjorn Baker’s second attempt at the Dubai World Cup card. He was disappointed in his charge last year, but has humbly taken all the blame. Now he hopes to repeat Buffering’s success with the son of Written Tycoon. “He worked on the grass and we went from the 1200. We just went easy the first half and I clicked him up the second half and I was very happy with him,” said Jean Van Overmeire, Australia's leading apprentice jockey.
Music Magnate goes up against fellow Australian, Aus$40,000 purchase Illustrious Lad who gives up a lucrative spring in his homeland to compete in Dubai. Earlier this season, the likeable four-year-old sprinter travelled kindly for jockey Oisin Murphy and crossed the line with a length and three-quarters in hand over Dutch Masterpiece.
Given his lackluster performance while acclamatising to Dubai, its hoped that he is now completely adapted to the track and the racing conditions.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum owned- Ertijaal is likely to be the second wall to defend against the international raiders after Blue Point. The Ali Rashid Al-Rayhi trained colt from the Danzig line is not only familiar with the track but also the race itself. This will be his third attempt and as they say, he could be third time lucky!
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