They say it is impossible to expect snow in Dubai, ever, but Saeed bin Suroor is out to prove naysayers wrong by winning his ninth World Cup with the same horse consecutively.
As always, the Dubai World Cup (2019) has attracted a (likely) field of top stayers in the twenty-third running of the Ten Furlong event. Defending champion Thunder Snow heads the field with his conditioner out to win the event consecutively twice in a row with the same horse.
The son of Helmet appears to have his head in the game and at his best form. The 5YO is likely to perform well on a track he knows well.
Winstar’s top-rated Audible had a career-worst performance in the Pegasus World Cup against the best competition he ever faced in his career. Since then, we had had some of his strongest works. Many believe that the Into Mischief colt should have been raced in the Carter Handicap (which is almost a week after the Dubai World Cup) instead of heading to Dubai. This race could be a make or break situation for the sterling colt.
The multi Group winning Heart’s Cry colt, Yoshida’s work out (5f, Mar 10th, in 1:02.40 (b) finishing 1/5) was one of his best but he did not do well in strong Group One company and one wonders whether yet again, he will be outclassed in this spectacular coterie.
Gunnevera did not enjoy his last run in the same race, however, this year he has returned a stronger horse with much better form and conditioning. He must step up in order to stand a winning chance again the favorite Helmet colt. (Last workout 6f, Mar 17th, in 1:13.20 (b) finishing 1/1.)
Salem bin Ghadayer trained-colt Capezzano turned up a winner in the last Al Maktoum Challenge R3 defeating both Thunder Snow (although his Godolphin trainer had said his pupil was only 85% prepared for the task), Korean raider Dolkong, who has grown from strength to strength at Meydan as well as Gronkowski and New Trails. The Bernardini colt is a wild card. He is going to give the favourites a run for their money. But can he win the Dubai World Cup?
North America is preparing for the dash of a lifetime. In the last big work before the Dubai World Cup run, the son of Dubawi as he went out to the 1800m dirt oval with a gallop partner, cantered a lap and then breezed a brisk 1400m (seven furlongs) in 1:27 flat with impressive fractionals (finished his final three 200m (furlong) splits in 11.9, 11.8 and 11.6 seconds.)
Trainer Satish Seemar was pleased. “Each furlong was stronger than the one before”
“We missed the break last year and had no chance, but this horse—when he runs, he really runs, and it doesn’t matter which horse is going against him.
“If he gets that right run without any glitches, I think we have no problem.
“We’d like to be a lower draw with him. Anything up to maybe six or seven” said the top conditioner of his pupil.
Multi-Group placed KT Brave makes his international debut with the Dubai World Cup. He may have a tough fight on his hands, with the quality of this field.
According to trainer Doug O’Neill, multi-Group winning Pavel likes an excursion. His second visit to Dubai should better than his first. However, he hasn’t lived up to his potential after his spectacular Gr.1 Stephen Foster Handicap win. In his Mar 1st work, he showed his potential finishing 2/23 in 1:13.00 (h).
Charles Fipke owned colt Seeking The Soul was second in the Pegasus World Cup and has shown great form recently. Should land in the trifecta with ease. (His last work 5f, Marc 15th, in 1:00.40 (b) finishing 1/10)
Gronkowski or The Gronk as he’s better known, shot to fame, more for his name than his actions. The Phoneix Thoroughbred’s colt shows great potential last March when runner-up to Justify in the last leg of the American Triple Crown. However, he runs after that historic event have been less than at-par. The Lonhro colt prefers a slower pace race. He was sixth in the Gr.1 Jockey Club Gold Cup where Thunder Snow was runner-up and yet again, recently in the Al Maktoum Challenge R3, he was fifth while Thunder Snow was runner up to Capezzano. The 4YO may be outclassed in this field.
Medaglia d'Oro sired-New Trails was marginally better to Gronkowski, in that he was fourth in the recent running of the Gr.1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3. He seems to be coming into his own and ready to step up to the challenge of besting his betters. However only time will tell whether he can manage the step-up in his current form.
Axelrod showed incredible late burst to win the Gr.3 Smarty Jones. Although his last performance at Meydan was disappointing, to say the least, this Phoenix Thoroughbred-owned colt has a lot to prove on Dubai World Cup night.
And finally, Simon Foster trained-Dolkong is a firm favourite with the author. He has gone from strength-to-strength during his time in Dubai. The lightly raced colt was first in Curlin Handicap and Third behind Capezzano and Thunder Snow in the Al Maktoum Challenge R3. He has thrown down the gauntlet to Thunder Snow.
Winner 2018: Thunder Snow
Click here to Runner list 2019
Race Info:
Distance: 2,000 metres (about 10 furlongs), Surface: Dirt, Track: Left-handed, Qualification: Northern Hemisphere 4yo+ & Southern Hemisphere 3yo+, Weight: SH 3yo: 54.5kg.,NH & SH 4yo+: 57kg, Purse: US$12 million (2019 race)
Credit: Pallavi Shevade pallavi.shevade@secretariatsworld.com