Dubai Duty Free hope Lava Man loving it in Dubai

Dubai: With dapples gleaming on his dark bay coat, six-time Grade 1 winner Lava Man strode around the Nad Al Sheba turf course for the first time in advance of the $5 million Dubai Duty Free (Gr 1).

The smile on exercise rider Tony Romero's face after the gallop told the story of how the six-year-old Slew City Slew gelding handled the course.

"He loves it here. He's doing really good," he said.

Another American multiple Grade 1 winner, English Channel, could train under the lights at Nad Al Sheba tonight to get a feel of the conditions he will encounter in the Dubai Duty Free.

"We'll gallop him. He hasn't run under the lights before," said assistant trainer Ginny DePasquale after talking to trainer Todd Pletcher, who is still in the United States, on her mobile phone.

Showing off

Until Pletcher arrives later in the week, DePasquale is overseeing his squadron of five runners.

With his neck arched, $2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen (Gr 1) entrant Nightmare Affair couldn't be ignored in his gallop.

"He feels like he owns the racetrack," exercise rider Chris Morales said. "He's just showing off."

Co-owner Ron Borgese added: "He looks like he's wearing the crown already; he looks like a champ."