2011 Dubai World Cup Workouts

Latest Articles
Sovereign Awards
Derby & Auction Prices
Santa Anita Derby Day
Wood Memorial Day
Kentucky Derby Contenders

Mr. Gruff (Al Quoz Sprint) heads into the tunnel under the track on Wednesday morning.
2011 Dubai World Cup Workouts

Date: 03/23/2011

The $10 million Dubai World Cup (G1) is the world's richest horse race, and will be contested on Saturday night, March 26, at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. On Tuesday morning, a number of World Cup Day entrants were out on the Tapeta all-weather main track at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai. Dense fog shrouded the facility in the early hours but this soon gave way to bright sun and temperatures in the low 80's. Wednesday morning at Meydan much clearer and even more horses came out on the track.

2011 Dubai World Cup Entries and Post Position Draw
Dubai World Cup Horses Slide Show (8 of the horses entered in the World Cup)
Thursday Dubai World Cup Workout Photos (17 horses)

Here are photos and comments for 28 horses that galloped Tuesday or Wednesday. Please click the smaller photos to see a larger version.

Buena Vista (World Cup) cantered two laps on the main track on Tuesday. Exercise rider Tsuyoshi Matsuda said, "She had a piece of work this morning. She will be galloping tomorrow. She is in a good form." Trainer Hiroyoshi Matsuda commented, "She was very relaxed in her stable here. I am happy with her galloping today. She is superfit. Her good run can be expected on Saturday. Thanks to all of the support from Dubai Racing Club, everything has been well done so far. She will put in a slow canter tomorrow morning."

Fly Down (World Cup) galloped on the main track under exercise rider Tiffany Green on Tuesday. Tim Poole, assistant to trainer Nick Zito said, "It was an easy gallop. All our preparation was done prior to his shipping over. There's really nothing for him to do except gallop. Let his catch his legs and keep his fitness level up. We'll bring him to the gate Thursday or Friday. I'll be speaking to the boss later today. My guess is he'll probably want us to go a day early instead of waiting until the last minute to get a little breathing room."

Gio Ponti (World Cup) schooled in the paddock, jogged 7 furlongs and then galloped 1 1/4 miles under assistant trainer Christophe Lorieul on Tuesday then had his final serious work on Wednesday. Lorieul said, "We took a couple of turns with the pony and he was very good in the paddock. He was happy today, he didn't sweat as much. He has traveled better this year and has kept his condition. Last year he lost a lot more weight (on the trip to Dubai). Every day now he seems to be getting better and better. The horse is doing great."

Gitano Hernando (World Cup) went out on the main track Tuesday. Lucia Botti, assistant and wife of trainer Marco, said, "He did an ordinary canter on the All-Weather and is in very good form. He seems very well and is where we want him coming into the race. He has definitely improved with each of his runs here and that was always the plan. He has one more piece of work to do before the World Cup and he will possibly do that on Thursday. Johnny Murtagh rode him last time he raced and will again partner him this weekend."

Transcend (World Cup) galloped and ran steadily on Wednesday. Trainer Takayuki Yasuda commented, "He was galloping on this past Sunday as well, so I wanted to give him a steady gallop only for the [200m]. As far as I saw him this morning, he looked great. He eats up very well, and he came from the cold-weather country to Dubai with the warm climate, which was good for his condition. The surface of All-Weather is the first experience for me, and I thought it would not be slippery more than expected, and horse seemed to get hold the surface. He usually sets the pace or just off the pace, so inside draw will be preferable."

Twice Over (World Cup) galloped Wednesday morning under big-race jockey Tom Queally. Trainer Henry Cecil is yet to arrive in Dubai but his wife Jane was at Meydan this morning to watch him. The six year old looked particularly well in himself, and Cecil's wife commented: "He worked yesterday so has just had a little canter and will do another couple of pieces of work tomorrow."

Victoire Pisa (World Cup) breezed 6 furlongs in company with stablemate Rulership. Trainer Katsuhiko Sumii said, "Since Victoire Pisa got in Dubai, he already had three steady gallopings at Meydan, so he has become more muscular physically. All of the members from Japan feel that we must work together for the victory and give all of the victims of Earthquake triggered Tsunami hope. The two horses will just walk around the stable area tomorrow." The Japanese contingent wore blue clothing with their flag, the word "Hope" and the date "3.11.2011" in remembrance of the recent earthquake in Japan.

As De Trebol did his final piece of work on Wednesday morning in view of his bid in the Godolphin Mile. Ridden as usual by Diana, he cantered over 1300m and his trainer confirmed: "He is really well. He went a bit faster over the last 400m and that will have been his final piece of work before Saturday. From now on he will just go a steady canter in the morning."

Beauty Flash (Duty Free) went out on the main track Tuesday. Trainer Tony Cruz said, "Very happy with him. Just a canter this morning and everything went well. He is a very professional type of horse so we don't have to worry too much about him. He adapts very easily to a new environment. We bought another horse with him as he gets a bit lazy in his work and can get fat if he doesn't have anything to work with."

Better be the One (Al Quoz Sprint) went out for some light work on Tuesday. Trainer Michael Freedman said, "He had a good look around this morning. He's settled in well. He will canter around the turf tomorrow morning. Danny (Beasley, jockey) can give him a good look down the straight. He has been up the straight a few times at Flemington when he was in Australia before but this grandstand does add a new dimension. He is a blinkered horse but we won't put them on 'til race day. I don't think he will need a lot of work this week."

Champ Pegasus (Sheema Classic) was on the main track at Meydan Wednesday morning for a 1600m gallop over the All-Weather. His trainer Richard Mandella had considered jogging or lightly galloping Champ Pegasus on his first day back to the track, following a 1000m work on Monday, but the son of Fusaichi Pegasus needed more. "He looked fresh this morning," Mandella said. "He wanted to do a little more than I had planned."

Dangerous Midge (Sheema Classic) went out on Wednesday morning for trainer Brian Meehan. Meehan is looking for a second win on Dubai World Cup night and is confident about the chances of Dangerous Midge after the Breeders' Cup Turf winner appeared on the track under big-race jockey Martin Dwyer.

Derbaas represents Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum in the Duty Free. Richard Hills gets the call for trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

Dim Sum (Golden Shaheen) was out on Wednesday morning. His jockey Darren Beadman added: "He felt good. Didn't ask him to do much but he was comfortable on the surface. My leg feels okay too. I had a mishap in the stalls in Hong Kong on Sunday and had to go to hospital and missed my ride in the Derby but I went to a Chinese doctor who was able to treat it and manipulate it and though it still feels a little tender this morning I'll be fine to ride on Saturday."

Euroears (Golden Shaheen) worked 3/8 in 35.26 under exercise rider Janell Gruss on Tuesday, and then schooled in the starting gate. Trainer Bob Baffert said, "He just cruised around there. He looked good. I just wanted to give him a little spin out there. He's one dimensional; he goes to the lead and stays there." Gruss added, "He finished awesome and I had to get a good hold of him to pull him up."

Happy Dubai (Al Quoz Sprint) went out on the main track Tuesday. Trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe said, "He is in really good form, absolutely bouncing. We know conditions suit and however he gest on he has had a great season. We are very proud to have a horse win three times at the 2011 Carnival. Inshallah (God willing) he can make it four!"

Invincible Ash (Al Quoz Sprint) went out under rider Tadgh O'Shea on the All-Weather course Wednesday morning. Although the jockey does not ride her at the weekend, he was able to give positive feedback to connections about the six year old, who raced four times at the Dubai International Racing Carnival. "She needs to up her game on Saturday night but I think she will run a big race," O'Shea said. "Mick will be here before the big race and she is a very straightforward filly who has no quirks and she just does her thing."

I Want Revenge (Godolphin Mile) jogged 1600m and schooled in the starting gate under exercise rider Michelle Nevin on Wednesday. Chip Dutrow, assistant to trainer Richard said, "We're on the track no later than quarter to six. We always go with I Want Revenge first. When we get back we go with the next one right away."

JJ the Jet Plane (Al Quoz Sprint) blew out down the main track stretch Tuesday through the morning fog. Trainer Michael Houdalakis said, He'll do the same on Thursday. He needed his first run here, and I'd have been disappointed if he hadn't won next time. He's very well, and my only concern is the distance, maybe 1000 m is a little on the short side for him these days."

Laser Bullet (UAE Derby) had a steady gallop on the All-Weather surface, clocked last 400m in 20.8 seconds. Trainer Kiyoshi Hagiwara commented, "Totally speaking, he is in a very good condition. I think this climate makes him improve the condition. He is still three years old, but he has traveled well. I wanted to check how he reacted when he was pushed hard in today's galloping, but he answered sharply. I am happy with that, but I think he can be one more step-up until the steady action on Saturday."

Make Music for Me (Mile) worked an easy half mile under exercise rider Andy Durnin up. Trainer Alexis Barba said, "He looked good. He is thriving here in Dubai. He was doing well at home too, but he is staying on course."

Mufarrh goes in the Godolphin Mile for trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe. He will break from the rail and will have jockey Richard Hills aboard.

Presvis (Duty Free) was out on Wednesday morning. His trainer Luca Cumani said, "He just had another canter around and all went fine."

Quick Enough (Al Quoz Sprint) breezed 600m (about three furlongs) under Humberto Gomez on the All-Weather track. Assistant trainer Leandro Mora said, "He reminds me of Big Jag," Mora said, referring to the 2000 Dubai Golden Shaheen winner he worked with while an assistant to trainer Tim Pinfield. "I call him Big Jag Jr. and I like him very, very much. I have a great feeling about him in the race and I even got a few chills watching him this morning and thinking about it."

Rajsaman (Duty Free), trained by Freddy Head, went for a canter on the main track this morning. He gave his stable mate Marinous a lead and his trainer said: "They are not going to do any more serious work before the race and I'm happy the way he looks. I think both of my horses have improved since I last saw them."

Bankable (Duty Free) was out on Wednesday morning. Trainer Herman Brown said, "This horse has so much ability but his legs are certainly not the best. He is fragile and we have really looked after him, thus running him in sprints on the All-Weather. He did show his real worth last time and that was a great effort. Saturday is fast approaching and I am just looking forward to saddling him and getting to the race. He was a bit unlucky last year and we are hoping for a bit of luck in running this time."

Rocket Man (Golden Shaheen) was out on Wednesday morning. Trainer Patrick Shaw said, "He just did two easy canters this morning. He traveled well, is eating well, all is well. He's put on weight. I'm very happy."

Sunny King (Golden Shaheen) was out with stablemate Dim Sum on Wednesday morning. Trainer John Moore said, "They just went gently round the All-Weather surface. Dim Sum was ridden by Darren Beadman and my trackwork rider was on Sunny King and they both took it pretty easily. Both are well. Dim Sum nicked his knee on the flight over but that is healing up well. Sunny King is in great form, eating up and doing everything right and he is really at home on the surface here having been such a good horse on the Polytrack in England before we got him."