Abu Dhabi: American Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Doug O’Neill will be looking to emulate Aidan O’Brien, who last year put an end to the domination of Saeed Bin Surour and Mike de Kock in the UAE Derby (Group 2) .
O’Brien’s Daddy Long Legs won the 1900-metre Classic on the Tapeta last year to snap the hold Bin Surour (seven wins) and De Kock (five wins) enjoyed in the $2 million (Dh7.35 million) contest.
O’Neill is set to saddle two runners on Saturday, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile runner-up He’s Had Enough in the UAE Derby and the Canadian-bred maiden Private Zone in the Group 2 Dubai Golden Shaheen.
The handler, who last year won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes with I’ll Have Another told Gulf News from his California base at Hollywood Park Racetrack, that “both of them have settled in well and are training with great energy”.
Private Zone and He’s Had Enough galloped at the Meydan for the second successive morning on Sunday. He’s Had Enough is owned by Paul Reddam who also owns I’ll Have Another.
O’Neill, whose only success on Dubai World Cup night came in 2007 when Spring At Last won the $1 million Godolphin Mile (G2), said he was looking forward to seeing his two runners compete on Saturday.
“It’s an honour to have been invited to come to Dubai and run in one of the premier race meets in the world. We are excited,” the 44-year-old trainer said.
O’Neill, whose horses are being supervised by his assistant Leandro Mora in Dubai, also fancies his chances in the Golden Shaheen, a race that has been dominated by American sprinters.
The Malibu Stakes (Group 1) runner-up Private Zone is owned by former jockey Rene Douglas and his group Good Friends Stable and comes in to the race with a strong reputation despite some erratic runs.
“I think both of them [He’s Had Enough and Private Zone] have a great chance to take home the big prize in each of their races,” O’Neill said.
Mario Pedroza is expected to partner Private Zone while Mario Gutierrez, who rode I’ll Have Another in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness last year, will be on board He’s Had Enough.
Both Bin Surour and De Kock have two runners each in the line-up while O’Brien will be represented by Lines of Battle.
