Dubai World Cup Night: Sepoy & Helmet arrive safely

Dubai / Timeform / 10 March 2012 / Leave a Comment

Sepoy: Has touched down safely in Dubai along with Helmet

"They are pretty much there fitness-wise and we couldn't be happier with them."

Top Australian performers Sepoy and Helmet, intended runners on World Cup night on March 31, have reportedly arrived safely in Dubai...

Paul Snowden, son of trainer Peter Snowden, accompanied Sepoy and Helmet on the flight from Sydney to Dubai via Hong Kong.

He reported on http://www.godolphin.com "Sepoy and Helmet both travelled excellently. They were very alert and fresh in their attitude and have been eating very well.

"They are looking good and have settled in very, very well at the Dubai World Cup Quarantine Centre."

Paul Snowden added: "They will be ridden on Monday but there is no rush as there is plenty of time until March 31.

"They are pretty much there fitness-wise and we couldn't be happier with them."

Sepoy, who is on the comeback trail after a disappointing reappearance, will be aimed at the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen over six furlongs on Tapeta, while Helmet, who was also beaten on his recent comeback, is due to contest the Group 2 UAE Derby over nine and a half furlongs on Tapeta.

Kerrin McEvoy has been booked to ride both horses who will race for Peter Snowden on Dubai World Cup night before joining a Godolphin trainer.

Timeform Dubai Handicapper Stephen Molyneux gives you his best bets on Meydan's Super Saturday card......

Timeform provide a runner-by-runner guide to what looks an excellent renewal of the Group 1 Jebel Hatta at Meydan......

Having successfully tipped Wealthy at a Betfair SP of [7.6] at Meydan on Saturday, Timeform's Dubai Handicapper Stephen Molyneux brings you three for Friday's card at Jebel Ali......

Amazon Sports Center

Oakleigh Plate: Peter Snowden says Sepoy has big task

News / Timeform / 21 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Sepoy is Dubai-bound

"...no three-year-old has carried more to victory than the 57kg shouldered by Fastnet Rock in 2005."

Peter Snowden has had his worst fears realised as his star sprinter Sepoy has been allotted top weight of 58kg for the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate, run over 1100m at Caulfield on Saturday...

If Sepoy, who has only been beaten once in 11 outings, can win under such a burden he will set a weight-carrying record in the $400,000 event as, since the race was first run in 1884, no three-year-old has carried more to victory than the 57kg shouldered by Fastnet Rock in 2005.

In fact, no horse has successfully carried more than 57kg since champion mare Dual Choice won under 59.5kg four decades ago.

That said, Snowden has stated that his primary concern is not with how much weight Sepoy has to carry but with how he is handicapped in relation to his rivals, most notably how the horse must concede 1kg to Schweppes Rubiton Stakes-winning six-year-old Eagle Falls.

Snowden went on to express how, despite his unease, he was keen to start Sepoy in the Oakleigh Plate in order to give the Sheikh Mohammed-owned chestnut a solid prep before leaving for Dubai next month, where he looks likely to hold leading claims in the six-furlong Group 1 Golden Shaheen at Meydan on March 31.

Sepoy is currently trading at [2.74] for Saturday's Oakleigh Plate, a race won by the aforementioned Eagle Falls last year carrying the same weight.

Joining them in the field are likely to be Bel Sprinter (54kg) and triple top-level winner Yosei (53.5kg).

...........
Timeform ratings were in fine form at the weekend. Click HERE to see the top rated roll call, or click HERE to get race cards & ratings for today's meetings.

Red-hot trainer Colin Tizzard is to leave the decision whether or not to run Cannington Brook in Saturday's Racing Plus Chase at Kempton to the last minute......

There were five Grade 2s in Ireland this weekend and they threw up a couple of surprise results......

Teddy Grimthorpe would be "very surprised" were Frankel and Black Caviar to meet at Royal Ascot......

Amazon Sports Center