ANIMAL KINGDOM
Winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby (G1), he ran a remarkable race when coming back from a nine-month layoff at last year’s Breeders’ Cup in California. He contested the Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at Santa Anita, where he met eventual Horse of The Year Wise Dan, the European miler Excelebration plus some California-based milers. Wise Dan was definitely a heavy favourite, but Animal Kingdom’s run also earned rave reviews.
After being blocked early in the straight, he flew past horses at the finish to get up for second. Animal Kingdom was given his prep run in the Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (G1) in February, but was a losing favourite that day. His trainer, Englishman Graham Motion, called it “awkward circumstances” after his horse was second to Point of Entry. Still, Animal Kingdom ran a decent race, on a day when he almost certainly was not trained to a peak.
That peak is meant to occur at Meydan on the last Saturday in March. Proven on turf, dirt and over a synthetic surface, Animal Kingdom is ideally suited for 2,000 metres. He is sired by the Brazilian-bred Leroidesanimaux, who won eight races on the trot and became a mile champion on turf in North America, and the German-bred mare Dalicia, a daughter of the great Acatenango. This truly international pedigree would be most appropriate for a Dubai World Cup winner.
ROYAL DELTA
A winner of the last two editions of the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (G1), Royal Delta ran in Dubai World Cup last year too. Representing trainer Bill Mott, who handled the outstanding champion Cigar — winner of the inaugural running of the World Cup — she got a lot of pre-race attention. She failed to show her true colours in the race, however, and trailed in ninth of 13 runners, beaten almost nine lengths behind Monterosso. She is much better than that appearance would suggest.
Royal Delta had excellent form in the book 12 months ago, and it is even better now. She enjoyed another super season in the US, and rounded her campaign off with a runaway win in the Beldame Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park, where she outclassed Godolphin’s Grade 1 winner It’s Tricky, and a dominating title clincher in the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (G1) at Santa Anita, where she passed the winning post 1½ lengths ahead of My Miss Aurelia (juvenile fillies’ champion in 2011). Royal Delta’s Ladies Classic win was a tactical success by rider Mike Smith.
She met the best field she had ever faced, and might also be vulnerable to the dreaded factor called ‘lack of pace’. Royal Delta is not short of speed but it is her stamina that is her main asset. The race did not have any typical front-runners, and a slow pace seemed likely. Such a scenario would work against Royal Delta. So Smith made an early move. Already before the first turn, he sent Royal Delta to the lead.
She relaxed nicely in front, while at the same time setting solid fractions. Turning for home, Smith asked her for a bit more and she responded, stretching out and upping the speed a notch. My Miss Aurelia, one of four other Grade 1 winners in hot pursuit, ran her heart out for a second without ever looking a serious threat.
Royal Delta was voted Champion Older Filly at the Eclipse Awards, and she was crowned Champion three-year-old filly in 2011. She returned to racing action with a facile five-length win in the Sabin Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park in February and seems primed for a big run on World Cup night.
HUNTER'S LIGHT
He booked his ticket to the World Cup when justifying favouritism in the Al Maktoum Challenge III (G1) on Super Saturday. Not only did the gutsy son of Dubawi beat a dozen other World Cup hopefuls, he took his third win on the bounce and he became Godolphin’s 200th Group One winner. Hunter’s Light had landed the second round of the challenge series on his reappearance a month earlier, and he just keeps on improving.
He travelled well just behind the early leaders, was given a beautiful trip guided by jockey Silvestre de Sousa, and ran out a solid 2¾-length winner over Kassiano, who was staying on really well after having experienced not so good a journey around Meydan’s main track. Kassiano, sporting the yellow silks of Shaikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, for the first time, must also be in with a chance in the World Cup. He has shot up the ranks in no time at all this winter and is nearly as good as Hunter’s Light. Prince Bishop, who took third in front of Surfer, is not such a serious contender for the $10 million dollar contest, but he is a very useful performer and a good yardstick. The third round of the Al Maktoum Challenge was undoubtedly the strongest local prep for the World Cup, and Hunter’s Light will be a popular choice here. Last year, he was a good, albeit far from top class performer in Europe, winning valuable races in Italy and Turkey.
He seems to be yet another Godolphin trainee who has his best season as a five-year-old. The boys in blue have had several of those types of animals over the years, such as Daylami, Fantastic Light and Swain. Proven over the course and distance, coming off his career best effort, and holding home court advantage, Hunter’s Light has a good chance.
AFRICAN STORY
He would have been a clear favourite for the Godolphin Mile, which he won last year, but has been re-routed to the World Cup, where he takes a step up both in class and distance. He was visually impressive on Super Saturday and should not be written off — even in this tough company. He returned to action on March 9 and met a very competitive field in the Burj Nahaar (G3). Mikael Barzalona had African Story in mid-division early on. Once into the home straight, African Story quickened sharply and found his way forward by the inside rail. He was soon gone and won comfortably by 2¼ lengths from Capital Attraction. Moonwalk In Paris, who had won the Firebreak Stakes (G3) on his previous start, finished third.
This was African Story’s first run since early May last year, when he ran a good sixth to Xtension in the Champions Mile (G1) on turf in Hong Kong. He is better on the Tapeta track. Still, he was beaten less than three lengths at Sha Tin, where he finished close to top turf performers like Lucky Nine and Ambitious Dragon. His UAE campaign last year was that of a fast improving miler.
He began with a handicap win over Barbecue Eddie in a handicap, and on World Cup night he powered home for a four-length win in the Godolphin Mile (G2), beating Viscount Nelson with ease. Four lengths was also the winning margin when African Story landed last year’s Burj Nahaar (beating Snaafy). So far we know him as a typical miler, but will he stay 2,000 metres? There’s only one way to find out — try him! This enthusiastic gelding would be completing an unusual double if successful in the World Cup.
DULLAHAN
A four-year-old from Dale Romans’ good team, Dullahan was one of the best runners over artificial tracks in North America last year, when he was successful in the Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar in California — beating the favourite Game On Dude by half a length — and also placed third in the Kentucky Derby (G1) on dirt, 1¾ lengths behind I’ll Have Another. Back in April last year, Dullahan landed the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) at Keeneland in Kentucky, like the Pacific Classic, a race run over a Polytrack surface.
Dullahan is a horse who thrives in strongly-run races, as he likes to come with a late run from the back. The faster they go early on, the better it is for this son of Even the Score and he needs 1¼ miles to been seen at his very best. Dullahan made his UAE debut in the Burj Nahar (G3) on Super Saturday, but finished unplaced behind African Story.
The 1,600 metres trip of that race was too short for Dullahan, who could well bounce back in the World Cup. His trainer won the World Cup with Roses in May in 2005.
