Dubai World Cup: Monterosso chases history

Dubai: Monterosso will bid to make history at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday by becoming the first horse to win the Group 1 Dubai World Cup twice.

Twelve months ago, one of the many poignant stories of the $10 million (Dh36.7 million) contest, which was first run in 1996, was the spectacular victory of the 20/1 outsider ridden in quixotic fashion by a 20-year-old French jockey called Mickael Barzalona.

This year Barzalona reunites with the Godolphin star in an audacious bid to reprise that epic win. But can history be repeated?

Only 1998 winner Silver Charm has attempted the feat, but he could only place sixth the following year after his famous victory under Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens. Now, in a twist of fate, Stevens has returned from a seven-year retirement to ride in the Dubai World Cup as he takes the reins aboard long American hope Dullahan.

However, the horses that Barzalona will be keeping an eye on in the 2,000m contest on the all-weather track will be ante-post favourite and two-time Meydan scorer Hunter’s Light and stable companion Capponi, the runner-up last year.

Hunter’s Light, trained by long-serving Godolphin handler Saeed Bin Surour, secured the Dubai-owned stables’ 200th Group 1 winner when capturing Round 3 of the Al Maktoum Challenge, the main prep for the Dubai World Cup, on Super Saturday, March 9. In the process, he led home a one-two-three finish for Bin Surour, who has won the big race five times but not since Electrocutionist in 2006.

The all-conquering Emirati handler, 45, also saddles Kassiano, a rapidly improving handicapper who has been on a roll at Meydan this season, and 2012 Godolphin Mile (G1) winner African Story, who is attempting the World Cup distance for the first time.

Together the Godolphin quintet take on the might of the world, with a three-strong raiding party from America posing the biggest threat — Royal Delta, Animal Kingdom and Dullahan.

However, Bin Surour was quietly confident of his chances given the current form of his contenders.

“Hunter’s Light is unbeaten in his last three races,” he said. “He is a horse who is improving and a tough performer. He will be there at the end because he has a big heart. A mile-and-a-quarter is the best trip for him and he has pleased me in the run-up to this race — his biggest test. More than anything he really likes this track [Tapeta].

“African Story won the Godolphin Mile last year and I think his best trip will be a mile-and-a-quarter, which is why he is running in the Dubai World Cup this year. Everything has gone smoothly with his preparation. He is in good form and condition and it is all systems go. He can run a good race.

“Kassiano has won seven races and done really well this year, showing great improvement as he has gone on,” the handler added. “Last time, he finished second in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 and we must give him a chance in the big race. He is in good form and hopefully still improving.

“I think my three runners in the Dubai World Cup all have a good chance.”

Barzalona admits that Monterosso will have to improve on his last run, where he was ninth in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3, saying: “It was very exciting to win the Dubai World Cup on Monterosso last year — like a dream... I was 20 years old and it was something very special.

“I think he has improved a lot since his first race, when he was not ready, and I believe he can run well again.

“I feel the pressure every time before a big race and a big meeting, but Monterosso helped me a lot last year when he won the Dubai World Cup and since then I have been a little more relaxed.”

Al Zarouni added: “It is always difficult to keep horses at their very peak. Monterosso has come on for his first run and is in good form and doing okay, but there is the wear and tear factor. His training programme has not been totally smooth. Last year he finished fourth on his prep run and then won the big race, improving by seven or eight lengths. This year, he finished 10th and has to improve by around 20 lengths to win! But I think he will run a better race than last time.”

Bill Mott, who also chases history with Royal Delta, who is bidding to become the first female horse to win the Dubai World Cup, said: “She’s got many things going for her. The one thing we don’t know is whether she is good enough. She’s won races on a synthetic track, she’s won under the lights and she doesn’t need any medication to speak of. She’s jumped through a lot of the hoops that you have to clear to win here. So we’re very hopeful.”

Animal Kingdon, winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby, looks to be a big contender together with Dullahan.

GN Selections

1. Hunter’s Light

2. Royal Delta

3. Kassiano