'Purrfect' draw for Cat in Dubai World Cup bid

Dubai: Frankie Dettori will bid to win the $6million Dubai World Cup for the second year running from stall one, after Discreet Cat was handed the inside position at yesterday's post-position draw.

The unbeaten Godolphin colt drew the same stall as last year's winner Electrocutionist, and his trainer Saeed Bin Surour said: "I am not at all worried about the inside draw. Our horse has the speed to take any position early in the race."

Electrocutionist ground out a win after starting from the unfavourable inside post in the 11-horse race, but Surour points out that it's a smaller field.

"There are only seven runners so it's not a problem. Discreet Cat has the class to run in any position, but if you ask me I'd like to see him sit in the middle, nice and relaxed, which are the main things for him to win the race."

Kiaran McLaughlin, who trains joint 11/8 favourite Invasor, also expressed no concerns after his Horse of the Year was handed the outside post.

Good position

"It's a good position for us, it's outside and hopefully will keep him out of trouble," said McLaughlin, a former champion trainer in the UAE.

"It would be great if two or three of them hooked up and went very fast. But with seven horses you don't usually get a very fast pace.

"Hopefully Discreet Cat will be up there with someone else and we can come from off the pace. But we can lay closer if they are going slower," he added.

Saudi Arabian hope Premium Tap, the 6/1 third favourite, came up with five, leaving trainer John Kimmel "pleased with the position."

"I think we're in a good position, it's a fine draw for me," said the American. "Invasor's got a good post and he's gonna see what happens in front.

"My horse is a pretty versatile horse he can do most anything as he showed winning the Clark Handicap (Gr 1) in big fashion and then again in Riyadh. He's a fit horse and he's coming into the race in great shape."

Battling it out

British hope Kandidate's connections were happy enough with their draw from gate four and jockey Seb Sanders said: "He's good out of the gate, and I hope he'll be up there."

Forty Licks, who drew six, has been labelled the forgotten horse of the Dubai World Cup, but his trainer Ian Jory believes he could be battling it out with Invasor at the finish.

"I would have preferred a middle draw but we've got Invasor outside us, and it could be between us, with hopefully ours in front," he said.

Japanese challenger Vermilion drew stall No 2 and his trainer Sei Ishizaka said: "It's better than being drawn one and it's better than being drawn seven."

Hong Kong's ultra-tough Bullish Luck, will break from barrier three. His trainer Tony Cruz said: "The draw is not a problem, and he's in really great form.

"Invasor and Discreet Cat are going to be the two to beat and we'll be delighted if we finish right behind them."

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(source William Hill)