Sport | Horse Racing
Curlin gets to work at Nad Al Sheba
Dubai World Cup favourite Curlin looked in great shape yesterday morning when taking his first look at the Nad Al Sheba dirt track where he will run in the $6million race come March 29.
- Staff Report
- Published: 01:15 February 21, 2008
- American Horse of the Year and Dubai World Cup favourite Curlin had an impressive workout at the Nad Al Sheba dirt track, where he will take on the high-quality field for the $6million race on March 29. Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen, was pleased with the display.
- Image Credit: Supplied Picture
Dubai: Dubai World Cup favourite Curlin looked in great shape yesterday morning when taking his first look at the Nad Al Sheba dirt track where he will run in the $6million race come March 29.
Curlin cantered gently around the course as he started his preparation ahead of a prep run in a handicap race on February 28, over the same 2000 metres of the Dubai World Cup.
Watched closely by Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen, the American Horse of the Year looked well under work rider Carmen Rosas.
He had a good look around at his new surroundings, but moved well and would appear ready for an outing.
"Curlin made the trip in good shape. He's doing fantastic and has a lot of energy," said Blasi. "The track doesn't have a lot of turn to it, which Curlin will appreciate as he has a tendency to look to the inside."
Blasi added that he plans to work the four-year-old son of Smart Strike as he would in his native US, including a "light breeze on Sunday or Monday."
"He's tremendously confident," Blasi continued. "He doesn't get too hot in the paddock and he likes to be comfortable with where he is."
Blasi knows competition for the world's richest race will be fierce, and named UAE Triple Crown winner Asiatic Boy as the main danger. "Mike de Kock is a great trainer and Asiatic Boy is an impressive horse, we know he's going to be tough to beat," he said.
"But Curlin is a special kind of horse. He was third in the Kentucky Derby on only his fourth ever start. We expect him to do big things".
And Blasi believes victory on March 29 could be the crowning moment in the horse's glittering career.
"Dubai is the only place in the world you can run on such an international level against some of the best horses in the world," he said.
"The Dubai World Cup is the richest horse race in the world and it's a great way to show the horse to the world."
"Dubai is the only place you can run on such an international level against some of the best horses in the world."
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