March 28, 2012

Dubai World Cup News: O'Brien team in good shape

Dubai RSS / / 27 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

The O'Brien family have plenty of chances on World Cup night in Dubai

The O'Brien family have plenty of chances on World Cup night in Dubai

"O'Brien has sent six high-profile runners for the richly-endowed Meydan meeting..."

So You Think and Aidan O'Brien's large contingent of Dubai runners have arrived safely in the Gulf ahead of Saturday's World Cup meeting...

O'Brien has sent six high-profile runners for the richly-endowed Meydan meeting, with Eclipse and Irish Champion Stakes winner So You Think (Timeform master rating of 131) topping the bill in the Dubai World Cup itself.

Three-year-olds Daddy Long Legs (116) and Wrote (118p) are entered in the UAE Derby while very smart older horses Await The Dawn (126) (Dubai Duty Free), St Nicholas Abbey (127) and Treasure Beach (120) (Dubai Sheema Classic) are also in action.

Pat Keating, O'Brien's travelling head lad, said: "The horses all travelled well, and arrived here in good order, no problems whatsoever.

"They have all had uninterrupted preparations in Ireland, the weather back home over the winter has been OK.

"We have a bigger team here this year than in the past, and I'd say they all come here with chances."

While Godolphin trainers Mahmood Al Zarooni and Saeed Bin Suroor both have runners in the Dubai World Cup, the only horse to be permanently trained in Britain is Planteur (123).

The Prix Ganay winner has been transferred from Elie Lellouche to Marco Botti in Newmarket for this season.

Botti's wife, Lucia, said: "He arrived on Monday and travelled over very well. I am happy with him and he will be out on the track on Thursday and Friday mornings."

Botti also gave a leg-stretch to ex-O'Brien runner Joshua Tree, who has raced three times at Meydan this year and steps up to two miles for the Dubai Gold Cup.

"He is well, came out of his last race fine and is fit and ready to go," she said.

"I think he should stay the distance as he was fifth in the St Leger as a three-year-old and I have definitely seen an improvement in him while he has been out here.

"His final piece of work was on the grass and we are now just keeping his routine going in the build-up to Saturday."

The yard's third runner is Jakkalberry (116) in the Sheema Classic.

Likely to be seen later in the week is John Quinn's UAE Derby contender Red Duke (112).

Last year's Superlative Stakes winner is still in the shake-up for the Qipco 2000 Guineas.

Quinn said "He arrived from Heathrow at 7.30 Monday night, and he travelled and ate and drank well.

"I'm impressed with what I've seen of Meydan so far. We'll have a look at the track tomorrow, and he'll probably go out on the all-weather on Thursday. Tom Queally will have a sit on him."
...........
Racehorses of 2011 is out now and contains essays on the top performers, over 300 photos, Timeform Top 100s and much more. Click HERE to secure your copy.

Peter Snowden's Helmet and Sepoy head a strong Australian challenge at the Dubai World Cup meeting and, according to Timeform ratings, both will be strong contenders in their respective races says handicapper Stephen Molyneux.......

Champion Stakes winner Cirrus des Aigles will come from stall eight as he attempts to win the Dubai Sheema Classic on March 31.......

Most British-trained runners fared poorly when the draw for the Dubai Duty Free was announced on Monday......


Amazon Sports Center

No comments:

Post a Comment