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

2019 Dubai World Cup Workouts


Monday morning at Meydan with Gunnevera (front) and Yoshida
Date: 03/26/2019

On Monday and Tuesday morning in Dubai, entrants for the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) and its rich undercard were at Meydan Racecourse on the main track. Conditions were typical for late March in the Emirates both days, with overcast skies and temperatures in the high 70's during training hours before climbing to the low 90's during the day. 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 full card will be broadcast live on TVG in the U.S. and HPI-TV in Canada. In addition, NBC Sports Network's show will start at 12:30pm.

Here are photos and comments for 33 horses that were out Monday and Tuesday morning. Please click the smaller photos to see a larger version.


Audible (Dubai World Cup) hit the Meydan dirt track after 7:00 a.m. and put in a steady gallop Tuesday under exercise rider Amelia Green. "The one thing we felt like after evaluating the Harlan's Holiday and the Pegasus, talking to the riders, both Javier (Castellano) and Flavien (Prat), they felt like he tolerated the sloppy conditions, but didn't really enjoy them," trainer Todd Pletcher said of Audible's last two starts. "So I think that compromised his finish a little bit in both races. The track on Pegasus day definitely was a track where you wanted to be inside if you could. From his post, he was never really able to work himself inside. I thought, despite that, he tried hard and ran a credible race."

Dolkong (Dubai World Cup) kept his preparation ticking over by cantering on the dirt track on Tuesday morning under regular work rider Lizzie Stubbington. Trainer Simon Foster said: "We just keep varying things with him a little each day. He looks great and having three weeks to prepare since his last race on Super Saturday will stand him well for Saturday. He had just nine days to back up before his last start and still ran third in a Group 1, so we're hoping for the best. He keeps responding to everything he has faced here to date."

Gunnevera (Dubai World Cup) galloped on Tuesday. Alex Sano, assistant to father and trainer Antonio said, "The horse went half a lap the opposite way jogging and then did a lap and a half of slow gallop. He did it very, very well and the exercise rider was happy. He was strong the whole way. With a good post position and if the training keeps going well, I think the horse has a very strong chance."

KT Brave (Dubai World Cup) was out first thing on the dirt track Tuesday morning where he cantered two laps with exercise rider Yosuke Fusano. "He is eating up well and had really settled into his surroundings. He is in good shape and felt really good out there this morning," Fusano said. "I'll breeze him tomorrow morning."

Pavel (Dubai World Cup) galloped on Monday. Trainer Doug O'Neill said, "He has shown numerous times and last year with a very credible run in Dubai that he runs really well when he is on the road. Travelling is not a problem for him and the US$12 million purse doesn't hurt anyone either. It is just a great opportunity. There are a couple of tough ones in there, but I think it is a pretty evenly matched race that is pretty much wide open. He doesn't act like a horse that needs blinkers, but we put blinkers on in the morning and he is just as willing. So we thought it would be kind of a little shake-up if you will, and maybe have him a little bit more forward placed without Joel having to do a whole lot early. And Joel and Pavel can save all the energy for the last quarter of a mile."

Seeking the Soul (Dubai World Cup) with trainer Dallas Stewart who just arrived from New Orleans on Tuesday morning. "He looks great," Stewart said. "He shipped in well. He looks like a prize fighter. I just can't figure out what happened in the Woodward. I thought about it. But, he bounced out of it well. He was second in the Breeders' Cup and second in the Pegasus, so he has the credentials to be here. I think he has a heck of the shot."

Yoshida (Dubai World Cup) took to the Meydan dirt track just after 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday under exercise rider Penny Gardiner for a maintenance breeze. Trainer Bill Mott said, "He went an easy three-eighths (600m) and it looked like he got over the ground very well. We're just trying to keep him happy until race day. Most of the serious breezing has been done. When you travel this far, it's important to keep the horse happy. We're really pleased with how the horse is doing right now."

Almond Eye (Dubai Turf) stretched her legs over the turf course first thing Tuesday morning. "We just wanted her to get acquainted with the track before we breeze her Wednesday," trainer Sakae Kunieda said. "She has relaxed into her Dubai surroundings very well. The grass here is a bit long, but I think she will like it."

Century Dream (Dubai Turf) galloped once around for trainer Simon Crisford. Crisford said, "Century Dream had a fantastic run in the Queen Elizabeth and we decided not to send him to Hong Kong or the Breeders' Cup to focus on a 5-year-old campaign."

Lord Glitters (Dubai Turf) galloped once around the turf course under Colin Bolger, assistant to trainer David O'Meara. "He got over on Thursday and I'm really pleased with how he travelled. He can be quite highly strung, but he has taken the journey over really well," Bolger said. "We've been on the turf for the last two days and he might have a breeze on the grass on Thursday with Danny (Tudhope), who rides the horse on Saturday, in the saddle."

Without Parole (Dubai Turf) galloped once around under exercise rider Marizio Varju. Tony Procter, assistant to trainer John Gosden said, "He's eating and drinking well, which are the best signs. He's done all his serious work at home, including a racecourse gallop at Chelmsford, which is what we always do when we come to Dubai. Run them off the plane is the usual schedule."

Nine Below Zero (Golden Shaheen) finished second in the Maham Al Shimaal (G3), the main local prep for the Golden Shaheen for trainer Fawzi Abdulla Nass.

Roy H (Golden Shaheen) galloped once around under lights on Tuesday. Trainer Peter Miller said, "This is an unbelievable race in the making. I respect all the horses in the race. They're all good horses. It's a tough race, but I've got the two-time Breeders' Cup champion and a two-time Eclipse Award champion. If he runs his race, they're all running for second money. But again, it's if he runs his race. He didn't run his race last year. He's got to run his race. Otherwise, it's anyone's game."

Tato Key (Golden Shaheen) galloped once around under exercise rider Timmy Tateen. "Tato Key is in good nick," trainer David Marnane said. "Yesterday was the first day there was a good crew of people here with all the cameras and a lot more horses around whereas Tato Key had been used to going around here with four horses and the track to himself. He just got a little bit excited but he was much more himself today. That was a nice relaxed canter and I'm very happy with him."

Al Hayette (UAE Derby) is winless since the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial back in January. She coems here off a 4th place finish in the Al Baskakiya.

Jahbath (UAE Derby) galloped on the dirt track. "He just had a quiet canter on the dirt and will do so again tomorrow," trainer William Haggas said. "He will have a stretch on Thursday morning with (jockey) Jim Crowley on top."

Manguzi (UAE Derby) had an easy canter on the dirt track. "We think he's at least doing as well as when he won the Al Bastakiya Trial," trainer Ali Rashid Al Rayhi said. "Unfortunately he has a bad draw and it could be difficult if he doesn't jump well as the rest of the field will be racing to the first turn, but he is in good form and we hope for the best."

Brave Smash (Al Quoz Sprint) galloped down the turf straight. "It was a good piece of work, we just wanted him to have a look around to familiarise himself with the environment," said Maddie Raymond, Brave Smash's travelling groom. "It was decided that we wanted a jockey to ride him in this morning's gallop and Anthony has spent a lot of time in the same barn as us with Brave Smash. He's a good jockey and he gave him a solid tune-up this morning. He's really well, he's eating up and just taking it all in his stride. I think he really relishes being in a new environment, it just switches him on and he really enjoys it." Hugh Bowman, best known as the regular rider of Winx, gets the call on Saturday.

Illustrious Lad (Al Quoz Sprint) galloped once around. Jockeu Anthony Darmanin said, "He ran really well (when 5th last year). He had to adapt to the conditions and on raceday he just worked himself up a little too much. This time he should know his surroundings and what's going on. He should definitely benefit from that this time and I think he'll run just as good this year."

Mazzini (Al Quoz Sprint) won 2 handicaps at Meydan before finishing 3rd in the Nad al Sheba Turf Sprint (G3), the main local prep for the Al Quoz Sprint.

Sands of Mali (Al Quoz Sprint) went out on the main track just after 5:00 a.m. Tuesday and was ridden by apprentice jockey Sean Davis. "He got in on Friday night and this is his first morning out," Davis said. "He'd been trotting around the quarantine barn over the weekend. He's travelled over really well, he's the same weight now as before he travelled over, which is a good sign. I'll see what the boss (trainer Richard Fahey) wants to do but perhaps we'll go onto the grass track one day."

Stormy Liberal (Al Quoz Sprint) galloped on Monday. Trainer Peter Miller said, "I think we've learned some things and hopefully the third time is the charm. Stormy was a little unlucky last year and had some traffic issues and some problems. He's an amazing horse and we couldn't ask for more from him. We claimed him for US $40,000. That's a dream situation that just doesn't happen. He's just a special horse. I think he's got more to give. He fires every time. He's got a tremendous heart and he's going to give his all like he does every time. Whether it's enough is the question,"

The Right Man (Al Quoz Sprint) came onto the dirt track at Meydan on his own and jogged before moving on in a steady canter in front of the stands Tuesday. He looked a lot more relaxed as he returned to the quarantine barn.

Wishful Thinker (Al Quoz Sprint) galloped on Tuesday. Trainer Richard Gibson said, "It's exciting to have a horse at this age who is still on the up. He came from being a middle-of-the-road handicapper in Australia and he's become a Group performer in Hong Kong, which is a credit. I've always wanted to run the horse 1200 metres straight, I think that's his best trip, so we're looking forward to the challenge of running against what looks a very good sprinter in Blue Point."

Logrado (Godolphin Mile) finished 7th in the Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (G1), which is the main local prep for the World Cup.

Musawaat (Godolphin Mile) finished 3rd in the Burj Nahaar (G3) the main local prep for the Godolphin Mile.

Call the Wind (Dubai Gold Cup) cantered on the dirt track at Meydan on Tuesday morning. He was ridden by Sebastian Lagrange, who said: "We did just a steady canter over about 600m and then he worked over 1400m. The horse is great. I am very happy with him."

Gold Mount (Dubai Gold Cup) galloped once around under exercise rider Tomas Vraj in company with Wishful Thinker. "So far, so good," trainer Richard Gibson reported from his Sha Tin base. "I land on Wednesday and just plan for an easy work week. On Thursday, I'll give them both an easy gallop. Gold Mount has already had a full campaign in Hong Kong so he doesn't need much work. I think the 3200m is perfect now." Vraj added, "This horse is fit and he's ready for Saturday. It is great to be here in Dubai."

Marinaresco (Dubai Gold Cup) is winless since the Durban July Stakes (G1) in 2017. he finished 6th in the Dubai City of Gold (G2), the main local prep for the Sheema Classic so is stretching out to 2 miles here.

Prince of Arran (Dubai Gold Cup) had a spin around the main track at 7.15 a.m. ridden by Natasha Eaton, the horse's regular travelling companion. "He's feeling really great and thrives on this travelling. I'm really happy with him," Eaton said. "We did a bit more of a canter today than yesterday."

Al Shamoos (Kahayla Classic) has really settled in well at Meydan and appeared very relaxed on the dirt track on Tuesday morning. The first of the French raiders to show, she did a light canter. Rider Nuno Duarte said: "We did a steady canter, maybe a tiny bit faster than yesterday. She feels really good, she is a nice mare."

Barnamaj (Kahayla Classic) galloped on the main track. Trainer Ali Rashid Al Rayhi said, "Barnamaj had an injury which he's coming back from, so he will breeze on Thursday and then we will see."

Fazza Al Khalediah (Kahayla Classic) won the Qatar Arabian World Cup (G1) on the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe undercard at Longchamp in October, then finished second in the Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan al Nahyan Jewel Crown (G1) at Abu Dhabi.

Break time for the pony buddies Blondie (left) and Sparky.

The entire gigantic Meydan grandstand.

Dubai World Cup Links:

Back to Horse-Races.Net main page

Search Horse-Races.Net:


©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