Champion female sprinter INDIAN BLESSING (Indian Charlie) jogged to the Nad al Sheba
starting
gate Wednesday morning and was loaded twice before being allowed to break and
stretch her legs in a light gallop.
“She is doing very well. She stood in the gate well and we opened it up and sent
her on
her way,” reported assistant trainer Jimmy Barnes, who expressed confidence
about the
speedy four-year-old filly’s chances in Saturday’s Dubai Golden
Shaheen (UAE-G1) even though she will be racing against males for the first time in her career.
“This track definitely suits her,” Barnes said. “She has her ‘A’ game and she’s
ready to go.”
Although Barnes noted that highweight MARCHAND D’OR (Marchand de Sable) and
Godolphin’s
DIABOLICAL (Artax) must be respected in the race, he said he would have to give Indian
Blessing
an edge in the race due to her proven speed. Since the Dubai Golden
Shaheen
earned Group 1 status in 2001, American runners have won every edition of the
race but
one.
“She always runs her race,” Barnes added of the ultra-consistent Indian
Blessing. “She’s one you can count on every time.”
Trainer Bob Baffert, who saddled Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) winners Silver Charm and
Captain
Steve, will not make the trip to Dubai this year, but he has frequently been in
touch via
phone with Barnes and Indian Blessing’s exercise rider, Janell Gruss, to stay
informed
about her condition.
“He keeps telling me to relax and have a good time,” Barnes said.
Trainer Brian Koriner was slightly more optimistic
Wednesday than
he was Tuesday about his Golden Shaheen hopeful, BLACK SEVENTEEN (Is It True), who has been behaving
lethargically
the last two days.
On Tuesday, Koriner canceled a scheduled work because the five-year-old was
displaying
signs of sluggishness. On Wednesday, Black Seventeen was simply hand-walked in
the
quarantine area. Koriner said he hopes to bring Black Seventeen to the track on
Thursday
to gallop.
“He seems happier today,” Koriner said. “He doesn’t have a fever and he is
eating, but he has been acting lethargic, at least for him.”
Black Seventeen traveled from California to Dubai last week.
In 2004, Aquilar journeyed to Dubai with Our New Recruit, who found
glory in the
desert with his victory in the Dubai Golden Shaheen. This year, Aquilar, a
foreman to
trainer John Sadler, is back with another starter, Machismo, for the $2 million
sprint.
Cesar
Aquilar, a foreman to trainer John Sadler, said he is pleased with the
manner in
which MACHISMO (Trippi) has settled into his new surroundings.
“I’m happy with him; he likes this place,” Aquilar remarked after Machismo, with
exercise rider Dana Barnes aboard, galloped and was paddock-schooled Wednesday
morning. “I hope we get some luck.”
Japan’s Golden Shaheen challenger, BAMBOO ERE (Afleet) had a satisfactory
breeze going 1200 meters on the main track under jockey Yutaka Take.
“It was my first time on him this morning,”
Take commented. “My impression was
he’s a
very easy ride, and answered me very quickly. He ran very powerfully this
morning. He
handled the long journey to Dubai very well, and he’s been in good shape since
he arrived.
“The race is a straightforward course, so I hope he can jump well from the gate.
In the
past no Japanese horse has been placed in this race, but Bamboo Ere has improved
since last year. I have big hopes for him on Saturday. I think he has great
speed.”
The Sir Michael Stoute-trained SPANISH MOON (El Prado [Ire]) had his big race jockey Ryan Moore
aboard as he stretched his legs on the Nad al Sheba turf Wednesday, and followed his
routine
canter with a visit to the starting gate ahead of the Dubai Sheema Classic
(UAE-G1).
“Spanish Moon
just
had a quiet canter and then went through the gate under the starter’s
supervision, and was fine today,” said
Prince Khalid Abdulla’s racing manager, Teddy Grimthorpe. “He can be a little quirky and likes to do things his own way. We’ve always
thought a lot
of this horse, but he’s had his problems, particularly at three, but he had a
pretty solid
year last season.
“This is his biggest task to date, but his preparation has gone to plan, and he
seems to run
well fresh, he won first time out at two, and last year, so hopefully he’ll run
his race.”
Richard Gibson was again at trackside as DOCTOR DINO (Fr) (Muhtathir [GB]) had another routine
canter on the
main track under his regular work rider Eric Gandon.
“He won’t do any fast work between now and Saturday, the work was done back
home,
and he’ll just be kept ticking over,” Gibson reported.
J. Paul Reddam’s 2006 Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) winner RED ROCKS (Ire) (Galileo
[Ire]) delighted his
connections
on Wednesday with a gallop once around Nad al Sheba. With his unmistakable white
blaze, the nearly black horse made a strong impression on rail bystanders.
“He looks better every day,” said Trish McLaughlin, an assistant to trainer
Kiaran
McLaughlin who has been overseeing Red Rocks’ preparations for the Sheema for trainer Mark Hennig, who is due to arrive in Dubai on Friday.
“He looks great,” added Jaime McCalmont, racing manager for Reddam. “I’ve got no
complaints.”
Trainer Richard Hannon was trackside on Wednesday morning as his highly
regarded Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1) hope PACO BOY (Desert Style) stretched
his
legs on the turf track under his big race jockey Richard Hughes.
“He’s very well, and I think he’ll be alright at the distance,” Hannon said.
“Ryan (Moore) has
won on
him and knows this track and thinks he’ll be OK on it. I think he stays a mile,
but
whether he’ll get those final extra yards I don’t know for sure, but we’ll find
out on Saturday. There’s a $5 million purse, so you’ve got to have a go.”
Another English challenger, the Brian Meehan-trained CHARLIE FARNSBARNS (Cape
Cross [Ire]) was also
out on the
track Wednesday morning.
“I am very happy with the horse, he’s been trained for the race, and everything
has gone
well so far,” said Meehan, who was there for the first time this week. “I just want him to settle in and keep himself happy over the next
few days.
It’s a tough race, but he’s got ability.”
A day after working about 800 meters in advance of the Dubai Duty Free, IEAH Stables and
partners’ KIP DEVILLE (Kipling) enjoyed a leisurely Wednesday, just walking in the quarantine barn area.
“He’s fine today; he had a nice day off,” assistant trainer Michelle Nevin
said.
The David Hayes-trained NICONERO (Danzero) had a variation in his training routine
Wednesday morning,
with a visit to the new Tapeta training track at Meydan.
“It’s a great surface and we thought the change in scenery would keep him
bright,”
explained stable assistant Lizzie Jelfs, who also looked after the horse during
his 2006
visit to Hong Kong.
“It’s a good walk down there…about 30 minutes and then we just had him cruise
around
the track. He enjoyed it and that’s important because he can be a bit difficult
on the track
but fortunately he’s been relatively settled this week.
“He’s matured with age. He’s traveled well and eaten well which is a good sign. And it’s great that
he’s had a
mate in the barn. No matter how quiet they are, they need company to really
settle down. It’s tough race but he’s in to win it.”
Meanwhile his companion TUESDAY JOY (Carnegie [Ire]) undertook her usual work schedule.
“Just
shooting the breeze with two laps on the grass. Gai (Waterhouse) had given her a
great
foundation before she arrived,” explained stable foreman David Meijer said.
“She has settled in a treat now. She’s fantastic. She lost eight or nine kilos
on the flight
but they say that’s better than average and she’s eaten well since arriving.
“I think she’s in career best form. Effortless is the word with her. She does
everything you
ask of her so effortlessly and she’s a lot more adaptable, a lot more versatile
than early in
her career. She can take up a position if she has to. She stalked them on the
speed when
she won the Chipping Norton (Aus-G1) at home. She’s in good shape.”
HYPERBARIC (Sky Classic) galloped over the main turf Wednesday morning in
preparation for the Duty Free.
Julio Canani, Hyperbaric’s trainer, said the six-year-old, who is aiming for his
fifth
consecutive win in the 1,777 meter turf race, was “doing well.”