Cindy's Horse Racing Website Index
Latest Articles

 Derby Future Pool 5
 Tampa Bay Derby
 Santa Anita Hcp Day
 Gotham Stakes Day
 Kentucky Derby Contenders

2015 Dubai World Cup Workouts


World Cup contender California Chrome was out early this morning.
Date: 03/24/2015

Tuesday morning in Dubai, entrants for the $10 million Dubai World Cup (G1) and its rich undercard were at Meydan Racecourse on the main track. After rain yesterday, the sky was overcast and the air a bit humid with a high of 81 degrees. The races will be run Saturday evening (Saturday morning in North America), with the World Cup going to post at 9:40pm local time (1:40pm ET). In North America the card will be broadcast live on TVG in the U.S. and HPI-TV in Canada.

Here are photos and comments for 39 horses that were out on Tuesday. Please click the smaller photos to see a larger version.


Epiphaneia (World Cup) - Representatives of trainer Katsuhiko Sumii said the Japanese contender had an easy canter on the Meydan dirt track and has adapted to the new surroundings. Assistant trainer Norihiko Kishimoto said, “He has been training well. He will gallop on the dirt course tomorrow morning.”

California Chrome (World Cup) - With exercise rider Dana Barnes in tow, Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates contender California Chrome breezed a half-mile (800m) early Tuesday morning in :50 over a fast Meydan main track. “He got the last eighth (200m) in 11 seconds,” said Alan Sherman, assistant and son of trainer Art Sherman. “We just wanted to stretch his legs. If he’s not fit by now, it’s too late.

Hokko Tarumae (World Cup) - Jockey Hideaki Miyuki watched his partner Hokko Tarumae, another Dubai World Cup Japanese contender, cantering on the Meydan dirt track. Miyuki said: “I have not ridden him since he has arrived, but as I touched and walked on the dirt course, it seemed to be more sticky than the Japanese dirt and needs more power. Hokko Tarumae is also a power-type of horse, so he should handle it. He looks fit and I am happy with it.”

Lea (World Cup) - Lea continued his preparation for Saturday’s race on Tuesday by galloping 2400m over the Meydan main oval. One year ago, following wins in both the Grade 3 Hal’s Hope and Grade 1 Donn Handicap, the Dubai World Cup was on the radar for Lea, but a virus quickly ended that thought process. “Last year he won the Donn, which is a great stepping stone race to the World Cup, but then he got sick on us and the goal changed to getting the horse healthy,” explained assistant trainer Riley Mott, the son of Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott. “We brought him back slowly and let the horse tell us when he was ready to get back at it. He's running well now and we think he's still improving.”

Long River (World Cup) - Salem bin Ghadayer saddles Long River. “It is exciting to have a runner in the Dubai World Cup and we are really looking forward to it,” said the trainer. “He has improved fitness-wise since Super Saturday and can hopefully run a nice race.”

Main Sequence (Sheema Classic) - Trainer Graham Motion arrived from America on Tuesday and will oversee the preparation of his Dubai World Cup night horses for the remainder of the week. “He’s been doing well and we’ve done most of his work at the training track,” said the conditioner, who won the 2013 Dubai World Cup with Animal Kingdom. “We’re going to bring him up to the main track on Wednesday morning to do some gate training.”

Harp Star (Sheema Classic) - Another Japanese ace for Saturday’s Dubai Sheema Classic completed one lap on the dirt track at an easy canter. Trainer Hiroyoshi Matsuda said: “I arrived at Meydan just after she finished working. The staff told me that everything went well. She will be galloping tomorrow.”

Dolniya (Sheema Classic) - Dolniya, trained by Alain de Royer Dupre, was accompanied by her stable companion Cladocera when she came onto the main track at Meydan on Tuesday morning. Galloping with several lengths between them, she cantered once more for about 600m, before quickening over 1200m. Antoine Creton, travelling head lad for the yard said: “Dolniya is very well and we are happy with her. Her trainer arrives on Thursday.”

One And Only (Sheema Classic) - The four-year-old Heart’s Cry colt worked easily on the Meydan dirt course under the supervision of the trainer Kojiro Hashiguchi, who flew into Dubai this morning. Hashiguchi said: “He looks well and worked nicely this morning. He is very flexible and is a gutsy horse like his (sire). He looks to be in really good condition.”

Mshawish (Dubai Turf) - The American raider Mshawish, who represents Qatar’s Al Shaqab Racing, took to the Meydan dirt course shortly after sunrise on Tuesday morning under the watchful eye of assistant trainer Ginny Depasquale as well as Bradley Weisbord, US advisor for the ownership group. Both were happy with the exercise. The son of Medaglia d’Oro has won his last three starts in the US, stepping up in class with each victory.

Solow (Dubai Turf) - French trainer Freddy Head had arrived on Tuesday morning to oversee Solow’s morning track work. As usual, the grey came onto the main track a Meydan with his fellow French trained Dolniya and Cladocera. He cantered over 1400m, but went a bit slower than Monday morning, and Freddy Head said: “He seems well. He was nice and relaxed and we are hoping for a good run on Saturday.”

Cladocera (Dubai Turf) - The Alain de Royer Dupre-trained Cladocera did not change her training routine at Meydan on Tuesday morning, when she cantered over 1200m following a warm-up jog in front of the stands. Her travelling head lad Antoine Creton said: “The preparation in view of the races on Saturday is following its course and we were happy with the way things went this morning. She seems well.”

Earnshaw (Dubai Turf)

Sloane Avenue (Godolphin Mile) - The first of the British-trained contingent to emerge at Meydan on Tuesday morning after clearing quarantine, the lightly-raced four-year-old covered a circuit of the dirt track under trainer Jeremy Noseda’s experienced travelling groom David Bradley, who reported: “He started at the 1400m marker and went back to the same point in a very easy canter.” Bradley, Employee of the Year in the 2013 Godolphin Stud and Stable Awards, added: He felt very comfortable, very much at home. The only disappointment is his draw, 15 of 16.”

Bradester (Godolphin Mile) - Multiple American graded stakes winner Bradester galloped 2400m under Julie Stormfelt, who reported that the five-year-old “is doing great.” Trainer Eddie Kenneally is due to travel to Dubai to saddle Bradester but Stormfelt said she did not know when he would arrive. Bradester has not raced in about six months, as his last start was on September 27, 2014, when he finished seventh in the Grade 2 Kelso Handicap at Belmont Park. In his prior start, earlier that month, he won the Grade 3 Ack Ack Handicap at Churchill Downs in a mostly front-running performance, indicating that he has the speed that may make him well suited for Meydan’s new dirt track.

Tamarkuz (Godolphin Mile) - Paul Hanagan rides Tamarkuz for Musabah Al Muhairi. “He has been in great form and seemingly improving,” said Hanagan. “We are drawn in (barrier) one and can hopefully utilise that in this stronger race.”

Frankyfourfingers (Godolphin Mile)

Dark Emerald (Godolphin Mile) - Dark Emerald travelled well within himself in a lap of the main dirt track and seems to have coped well with his solid campaign during the lead-up carnival.

Prayer for Relief (Godolphin Mile)

Nolohay (Godolphin Mile) -

Footbridge (Godolphin Mile)

Quadrivum (Godolphin Mile) - Graham Motion’s four-year-old Henrythenavigator gelding comes in off a sixth-place finish in the Grade 3 Fair Grounds Handicap in New Orleans, but that performance doesn’t bother the trainer. “When I first got him he won two dirt races right away,” said Motion, who trained 2013 Dubai World Cup winner Animal Kingdom. “After that, we sent him to California where he faces Hopportunity and then to the Fair Grounds. He didn’t like the turf so we’ll stick with him in dirt. I expect he’ll run well here.”

Rich Tapestry (Golden Shaheen) - Trainer Michael Chang said: “He was a bit under the weather when he first arrived but he has improved a lot. He was on the main dirt track this morning and he’s in good shape.”

Big Macher (Golden Shaheen) - Arriving at the Meydan dirt track well before dawn on Tuesday, Tom Mansor and Tachycardia Stables’ Big Macher jogged about 1400m and then galloped 1800m. “I feel like he’s happy right now,” said trainer Richard Baltas. “He’s eating good and he’s weight is good, and he’s settled in well.” Baltas does not plan to send Big Macher out for any speed work in Dubai prior to his first international start since the five-year-old gelding turned in a lightning fast breeze before he left his base at Santa Anita Park in California.

Salutos Amigos (Golden Shaheen) - Salutos Amigos galloped 2400m on Tuesday in preparation for Saturday’s race, and trainer David Jacobson, who will be saddling his first Dubai World Cup night runner, is happy with his decision to make the trip. “I think I have a nice horse,” Jacobson said. “We considered the Carter (April 4 at Aqueduct) but there’s a lot of money and prestige on the line here. It's that simple.”

Muarrab (Golden Shaheen) - Paul Hanagan rides Muarrab for Musabah Al Muhairi. “The horse has enjoyed a good season and seems in great nick,” said Hanagan. “The draw is going to be of great significant in his race.”

Shaishee (Golden Shaheen) - Dane O’Neill partners Shaishee. “He won well on Super Saturday to earn his place in this field,” said O’Neill. “He stays 1400m so will be suited by the likely strong gallop.”

Super Jockey (Golden Shaheen) - Bev Millard, wife of trainer Tony Millard, said: “I gave him an easy canter on the dirt track early at 5 a.m. He seemed to enjoy himself and liked the surface. He’s a very fit horse. “He did a nice piece of fast work in Hong Kong on Saturday before he flew here to take the freshness out of him and that has seemed to work well. I’m very happy with how he is.”

El Padrino (Golden Shaheen) arrived in Dubai on Tuesday.

Dear Domus (UAE Derby) - Yutaka Takahashi reported that the colt did routine work on the Meydan dirt track. The trainer said, “Jockey (Kosei Miura) will give him a gallop tomorrow morning. He is drawn number 10, and as my horse can dash well and take the lead, there is no concern about the barrier.”

Tap That (UAE Derby) - The Tapit-sired Tap That had a piece of easy work on the Meydan dirt track. Assistant trainer Yuya Shiotsu said: “He got used to the new surroundings and has settled well. He seems in really good form. He was getting familiarised with the starting gate and he had no problem at all.”

Golden Barows (UAE Derby) - Noriyuki Hori’s representative cantered for 1000m and jogged for 400m before he cantered again for 1400m on the Meydan dirt track. Assistant trainer Kazutomo Mori said: “He was tense yesterday but has been relaxed and worked nicely today. He has a good mood. He sometimes started off the gate a bit slower recently, so he is going to have a school at the starting gate.”

Rio Tigre (Dubai Gold Cup)

Brass Ring (Dubai Gold Cup) - Wayne Smith will be riding Brass Ring for Ismail Mohammed. “He will have needed his first start for us on Super Saturday,” said Smith. “He has been going well since and the step up in trip should suit him.”

Amber Sky and Peniaphobia (Al Quoz Sprint) - Trainer Ricky Yiu: “He’s experienced with the travel having won this race last year and the boys in my team said he took it well again. He will be out on the main track on Tuesday hopefully.”

Farmah (Al Quoz Sprint) - The François Rohaut-trained Farmah came onto the main track at Meydan on Monday morning. He was ridden by Doric Binot, who said: “We did a slow canter and then just quickened progressively. He worked on Saturday under Paul Hanagan, who was very pleased with that piece of work. All is going well.”

Caspar Netscher (Al Quoz Sprint) - One of three intended runners from David Simcock's British stable on Dubai World Cup night, the six-year-old entire completed one circuit of the main dirt track. He is scheduled to round off his preparation with some sharper exercise on Tuesday.

Lancelot de Lac (Al Quoz Sprint) - The five-year-old son of Shamardal, who ran consistently at the Dubai World Cup Carnival for trainer Dean Ivory, came out on the main track.

Dubai World Cup Links:

Back to Horse-Races.Net main page


©1994-2024,  Cindy Pierson Dulay   Privacy Policy   About Us   Search   Site Map   Add a Link   Advertisee   Suggest to a friend   RSS Feed   Follow on Twitter