DUBAI SHEEMA CLASSIC

Wednesday, 26 March, 2014

Ambivalent (IRE) – Despite  the  adverse  conditions  the Roger Varian-trained Ambivalent (IRE) looked  very  sharp in her canter  over  a lap of  the all -weather  track.  It  seemed there was a  moment’s  anxiety  when she  was pulled  up  about  200m  short  of  the  usual  finishing  area  but her  handler  Joanne Banks  said  that was  the   plan  because  she  can be  a bit flighty  and could  have  been  distracted  by  the umbrellas  and  other   makeshift  paraphernalia  onlookers  were using to shelter  from the rain.

“I am very happy  with  the  way  she  is eating  and  drinking  and  she  couldn’t    be  in  better shape,” Banks  said.

Cirrus Des Aigles (FR) – Trainer Corrine Barande-Barbe was on hand for the first time this week as her ever-ready 8yo prepares to again win the Dubai Sheema Classic presented by Longines following his 2012 victory.

“I have only just arrived but the horse seemed to enjoy himself this morning and he is looking very well,” said Barbe. “He has a very good action and all the lights are green for Saturday. He had a prep run for the weekend at Chantilly and he did need it. Christophe Soumillon rode him that day and said he thought the horse ran better than he did when also beaten in his prep race two years ago before coming on to win here. I think he still has the same ability and enthusiasm as ever – just like me!”

Denim And Ruby (JPN) -- Denim And Ruby stayed at the quarantine stable area and did not come out on track this morning. 

Dominant (IRE) -- Trainer John Moore said: “He’s still an improving horse as he has more mileage into his legs. I didn’t think he had enough mileage in him in December but he proved me wrong and won the Vase so he’s a better horse now.

“His trial at home last Tuesday was impressive, he’s very fit and well and I’d say he travelled the best of my three so there are no excuses. I just hope he can draw a good gate to make Joao Moreira’s job a bit easier. Joao will ride him on the turf tomorrow morning.”

Dubday (GB) – This season’s leading money-spinner in Qatar, who is unbeaten in three major races since his purchase last October, continued his light training under the supervision of trainer Jassim Al Ghazali away from the main track.

Dunaden (FR) -- Dunaden (FR) made his appearance on the all-weather track shortly after the worst of the rain had passed. As usual he was ridden by Matthieu Brasme who said: “Dunaden did what he does every morning. We jogged round once and then did a steady canter for another round. He is very well and he might go a bit faster tomorrow.”

He added: “They are waking up a bit more now that there are more and more people at the track in the morning, which is not a bad thing. They know they are running soon.”

Empoli (GER) -- Empoli (GER) was reported to be in good form after his return to the all-weather track at Meydan. Watched by Gisela Schiergen, wife of trainer Peter Schiergen, he seemed very relaxed and she confirmed: “Empoli just did a steady canter and all is well. Peter is going to come tomorrow and everything is running smoothly.”

Festive Cheer (FR), Magician (IRE) – The Ballydoyle stablemates, who will be attempting to emulate last year’s winner St Nicholas Abbey for trainer Aidan O’Brien, remained in the international quarantine area after their arrival from Ireland on Tuesday evening. They will clear quarantine on Friday.

Gentildonna (JPN) --  Trainer Sei Ishizaka commented, “I am happy with her final fast work.  She got familiarised to the surroundings at Meydan as it is her second time here.  She is in a very good mood and I can say her condition is better than last year when she placed second in this race.  She has a good fighting spirit ahead of the race.  She is a type of mare whose condition is progressed in the second race up, so having a prep race coming into the Dubai Sheema Classic this year was obviously good for her.  At the moment, winning the Dubai Sheema Classic is her biggest target.  Actually the plan in the following spring campaign has not confirmed yet, but as for the autumn season, we should target the three straight wins in the Japan Cup.”

Mount Athos (IRE) – The 7yo was out in the worst of the morning rain. Limbering up over one circuit of the all-weather track, Mount Athos cantered round a second time before he was unleashed down the home straight under exercise rider Lucie Botti. He was full of zest as he galloped out beyond the wire.

“He only needed to go 400m because he is very fit,” said Botti, wife of Mount Athos’s trainer, Marco Botti. “I was more than happy with him.”