Dubai Alan Sherman has a lot of reasons for wanting California Chrome to win the coveted Dubai World Cup (G1) on March 26, but top of the list is to win it for his dad, trainer Art Sherman.
The 2014 Horse of the Year is the rock-solid favourite for the $10million (Dh36.7 million) showpiece on March 26 at Meydan Racecourse as he bids to win it at the second time of asking, having finished a gallant runner-up to Prince Bishop in the race last year.
A five-year-old chestnut who is affectionately called ‘Chrome’ by his legions of fans, California Chrome arrived in Dubai on January 22 and has since embarked on a carefully planned program of progressive once-a-week training under the watchful eye of Alan who spoke to Gulf News earlier this week.
“I’m just so happy my Dad’s got a horse like him, he deserves it as he’s been in the game for many, many years,” said the Junior Sherman, to 79-year-old Art. “He deserves a horse like Chrome and he deserves to win a race like the Dubai World Cup.
“Maybe, some day, they should put people like him, who devote their entire life and money for this game, in the Hall of Fame.”
When asked if any significant changes in the approach to training Chrome for a repeat bid at the Meydan attraction, Sherman said: “We didn’t want to do a lot of things dissimilar to last year, but there’s a few things we did differently, like coming here as early as we did this time around.
“Coming in early has allowed Chrome to settle in, which he had done brilliantly. He’s been unbelievable as he’s actually gained 20 pounds in a week. I put him on a scale a week ago and I put him on the scale again today and he’s gained more weight and muscle and he just looks fabulous.
“The trip coming over didn’t faze him at all this year, although last year it did take a little out of him because he had gone through a lot of travelling before he got here, going through the whole Triple Crown and that sort of thing,” Sherman added.
“The plan is to run him in a handicap over course and distance on February 25 which I think will set him up well for the World Cup. I want him to be fresh horse going into the big race. Victor [Espinoza] will ride him in both his Dubai starts.
“It’s going to do him a lot of good for Chrome to race over the Meydan dirt track which is just going to be his second race after a long layoff, and we just want to get a good race out of him,” he added.
“Usually a horse is at its peak in his third race after a lay-off so come March 26 he should be peaking and ready to run a big race.”
Less than four weeks ago Chrome returned from a nine-month lay-off to endorse his well-being when posting a convincing victory in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes at Santa Anita, California.
Asked if he felt that the Meydan dirt track was any different to the one on which Chrome raced last year Sherman said: “Obviously it’s been a year, so everything’s had a chance to settle down a little bit. When you put a new surface down it takes a while for it to bed in and I believe it’s a bit firmer this year and that’s the kind of racetrack that Chrome likes.
“There are some really good horses coming this year as well. But that’s what it’s all about, we want to face the best horses as I think Chrome is one of the best horses in the world. You’ve got to run against the best horses in the world to prove that.
“Hopefully he will on March 26.”
