THE DUBAI WORLD CUP

Tuesday, 25 March, 2014

Akeed Mofeed (GB) -- Trainer Richard Gibson said: “I’ve just arrived in Dubai and I’m very happy to see him in such good order. He looks great. He was a bit fresh going cantering around the all-weather track as it was his first time, but I’d say that’s a good sign. His weight loss on the trip was standard and he’s where I’d want him to be. Douglas Whyte will ride him on the main track on Thursday, just a gentle blow doing something like 28 and 26 seconds for his final 800m.”
Belshazzar (JPN) -- “The travel went well, as Hokko Tarumae and Denim and Ruby (Dubai Sheema Classic) also traveled with us, which was good for him.  He did not get travel-sick, either.  He likes the new surroundings,” said assistant trainer Takumi Matsuda.
Trainer Kunihide Matsuda said, “I was concerned about how much the grip on the all-weather had affected him, but the surface should suit him.  After the travel to Dubai, he was likely to lose some weight but he regained his weight and is in a good form.  He will gallop on the all-weather tomorrow.”
Hillstar (GB) – The Royal Ascot winner, who will bid to give Sir Michael Stoute his second win in the race after Singspiel in 1997, appeared on the all-weather track for the first time after clearing quarantine. Ridden by regular work rider Katie Reed, he completed a steady 1,000m solo canter.
Travelling head lad James Savage said: “Like our other runner Dank (Dubai Duty Free), he travelled well from England and both horses have settled in nicely. The work they did on Tuesday was simply to loosen them up.”
Hokko Tarumae (JPN) – On Tuesday morning, he cantered 2000m on the all-weather and was schooled in the starting gate.
Jockey Hideaki Miyuki said, “I had a good feeling from him.  He keeps his good condition and it is all down to the stable staff who has been doing very well with him.  The starting gate is likely to be smaller than that of Japan, so it was a good preparation for Saturday.”
Military Attack (IRE) -- “We kept him to the quarantine area again this morning and he was out in the ring there with my other two runners. The travel from Hong Kong went okay but I’d prefer to give them another day to rehydrate them after the trip before going out onto the main track,” said trainer John Moore.
“Military Attack is a very fit horse. You’ll see him in great shape on the track on Wednesday.”
Mukhadram (GB) -- Released from quarantine after traveling to Dubai from England, Mukhadram (GB) toured the Meydan track complex for the first time on Tuesday morning.
Although he will make his career debut on an all-weather track when he competes in the Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates, the 5yo was sent to the turf course by trainer William Haggas to stretch his legs. “He put in an easy canter and he was happy,” reported assistant trainer Elizabeth Budden.
Red Cadeaux (GB) -- Tuesday saw the 2013 Dubai World Cup runner-up canter on the all-weather track, ahead of a more serious workout on Wednesday morning.
Trainer Ed Dunlop’s travelling head man Robin Trevor-Jones said: “All is going to plan and I’m happy with him. It needs to be discussed with the trainer but the plan is for him to have a blow on Wednesday morning, probably over 2000m.”
Ron the Greek (USA) -- Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates contender Ron the Greek (USA), who cantered lightly on Tuesday, will visit the Meydan all-weather surface for the first time on Wednesday at 4 a.m.
“We’re just going to stretch his legs the next few days,” trainer Nicholas Bachalard said. “He won’t do too much.”
The 7yo son of Full Mandate arrived from his Saudi Arabian base on Sunday without incident.
“It was uneventful,” Bachalard said. “He’s done everything right. He’s a pro and is used to shipping.”
Ruler Of The World (IRE) – Only the second Derby winner to run in the Dubai World Cup, after High-Rise in 1999, he left the Ballydoyle stable of Aidan O’Brien on Monday evening with five stablemates and was due to arrive at Meydan late on Tuesday afternoon. The team will clear quarantine on Friday.
Sanshaawes (SAF) – Jockey Christophe Soumillon said: “He needed his first run of the year and has done nothing but improve since. That was a big effort on Super Saturday because we were drawn wide and never really able to get in.
“Hopefully we will be drawn nearer the rail this time.”
Side Glance (UK) – Andrew Balding’s 2013 Dubai World Cup fourth finished seventh in the Al Maktoum Challenge R3 Sponsored by Emirates earlier this month on his return to Dubai. The Australian G1 winner exercised on the training track on Tuesday morning under Balding’s travelling head girl, Leanne Masterton.
“He has just been doing easy work on the training track and will be out on the main track tomorrow,” said Masterton. “He is in great shape and we are really pleased with him and his preparation. He ran well in the World Cup last year and fingers crossed that he can get placed again.”
Surfer (USA) – Jockey Richard Mullen said: “We were delighted when we heard he was to take his chance in this race and not the Godolphin Mile. He ran really well on Super Saturday from a bad draw and again proved he can be competitive in this company.
“Fingers crossed we get a good draw this time.”