INTERNATIONAL FEATURE
MARCH 29, 2014
A Tale of Two Chestnuts
by Liesl King
“Fame is a fickle food upon a shifting plate,” wrote American poet Emily
Dickinson, and Friday’s Dubai trackwork session was a timely reminder of just
how fleeting fame can be.
For on the track were two bright chestnuts, both with blazes, their coats a
burnished copper in the early morning sun. Both were World Cup contenders, yet
one caused a media storm upon his arrival, while the second was hardly noticed
at all.
You see, the second chestnut is decked out in the red livery of the Dubai
Racing Club, complete with western saddle. Nowadays, his name and his exploits
on this very track are long forgotten. After all, as lead horse, he is merely
there to escort fractious and unruly youngsters safely around the Meydan track.
Yet, once upon a time, he was the center of attention. A contender in the
richest race of all, for the chestnut with gentle eyes and the wide blaze,
begging for polos, is none other than Lucky Find, a runner in the 2008 Dubai
World Cup (UAE-G1).
For Lucky Find, fame was fleeting, yet he was on hand to cast his wise old
eyes over the new kid on the block, as the other chestnut, Epsom Derby (Eng-G1)
winner Ruler of the World (Galileo), arrived in style, leading the Aidan O’Brien
string onto the Tapeta track.
A more aptly named horse would surely be hard to find. The chestnut, who a
year ago had not even set foot on a racecourse, strode onto the track as if he
owned it, supremely confident and certainly not in need of Lucky Find’s
services. As famous as he is beautiful, Ruler of the World seemed unaware of the
media frenzy that his arrival had caused. For here was the horse they had all
been waiting for.
With Joseph O’Brien in the saddle, he led the string clockwise around the
track at a walk and trot, before turning round and gracing his waiting fans with
a steady canter, ears pricked. The younger O’Brien confirmed that the laidback
colt had traveled like a professional, eaten like a horse and generally was just
taking things in his stride. He seemed at ease on the Tapeta and Joseph appeared
confident that the artificial surface should not be a problem, but admitted that
it was impossible to be certain until the colt actually races on it. His task is
certainly made easier by the “uncomplicated” colt, who won the Derby on only his
third start.
Ruler of the World, the ruling favorite, jumps from barrier 12 and, while the
draw could have been more favorable, it is the same barrier from which Animal
Kingdom won the World Cup in 2013. Of the rest of O’Brien’s string, Ernest
Hemingway (Galileo) and Giovanni Boldini (War Front) impressed most. Ernest
Hemingway seemed to float over the surface with a lovely elastic stride and
should give a good account of himself in the Dubai Gold Cup (UAE-G2).
Giovanni Boldini, runner up in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf last year, was
a ball of energy, bouncing around and looking the picture of rude health,
without the merest hint of sweat. Here was a horse that knew what he was here
for and just wanted to get on with the job. Despite only being allowed a steady
hack, he stretched out beautifully alongside stable companion Festive Cheer (Montjeu).
Aidan O’Brien may only ship in at the last minute, without the benefit of a
prep run, but he seldom fails to go home without one of the trophies, and you
ignore his runners at your peril.
Also out during the rush hour when the track resembles a busy train station
was German entrant Empoli (Halling), trained by Peter Schiergen. The colt has
had a troubled stay in Dubai and was scratched twice at the gate for refusing to
load. In his only start in the Dubai Millennium S., he finished a creditable
second behind Tasaday (Nayef) and hence lines up in the Dubai Sheema Classic
(UAE-G1) on Saturday.
Schiergen is completely baffled by the loading problems, as the colt has been
a model of consistency at home. Empoli’s work Friday morning was impressive and
he caught the eye as he did an easy half pace around the track. Schiergen has
done several schooling sessions with his charge in the gates and hopefully
Empoli agrees to join his fellow runners in the starting stalls come raceday.
Last but certainly not least to catch the eye was the Roger Varian-trained
Ambivalent (Authorized). The filly came out full of fire and her workrider had
his hands full as she insisted on cantering down the chute to the track proper.
Varian explained that she is a quirky sort with loads of excitable energy. Yet
he was quick to point out that her antics are best ignored, as she is one of
those rare horses that can be quite fractious and still perform.
Finally, trackwork at Meydan came to an end for the last time. The runners
returned to their stables and Lucky Find, having already eaten half a roll of
polos, begged for one last one, before sauntering off, as the sun rose over
Meydan.