Abu Dhabi: French trainer Erwan Charpy is hoping that Santhal, a Purebred Arabian who at 10 years old has discovered a fresh lease of life, can secure for him a long-cherished victory on Dubai World Cup night.
The French-bred son of Djebbel is set to run in the Dubai Kahayla Classic (Group 1), the only race for the breed on a star-studded March 26 card, and two factors will have boosted the Frenchman's hopes.
For the first time in many years, the $250,000 (Dh920,000) contest does not have an overwhelming favourite as most of the prep races have proved inconclusive.
Furthermore Santhal appears to be in the form of his life, having posted two impressive wins this season including his most recent in Round Two of the Maktoum Challenge (Group 1) at Meydan Racecourse on February 3.
"My horses have done well in the Kahayla but the best ever has been a second-place finish by Charh to the mighty Madjani in the 2007 edition," said Charpy.
"Santhal has been working very well and so far this season his performances have been solid."
However, Charpy cautions that the draw will prove decisive in determining his horses' chances.
"The draw will play a huge role. In the final round of the Maktoum Challenge, Santhal was drawn 13 and that did not allow him to get into a good position," he said of his horse, who finished sixth behind the Eric Lemartinel-trained Nieshan.
Horse to beat
"If No Risk Al Maury (third) had won on Super Thursday then he would have been a strong favourite. It looks like the Kahayla will be an open race though I think that No Risk Al Maury could still be the horse to beat."
Santhal ran a huge race in winning over 1,900 metres on the Tapeta all-weather against Paris Gagner and Nirwan in December and then followed it up with another strong run in the Maktoum Challenge Round Two over 2,200 metres where he scored by a quarter of a length from Gillian Duffield's Dutch-bred Periander and the Doug Watson-trained Kandar Du Falgas. Santhal has previously run twice in the Kahayla Classic. In 2008 he finished eighth behind Mizzna and the following year finished in the same position to Fryvolous, having earlier won round three of the Maktoum Challenge.
"He did not run last year as he did not look to be in good shape," said Charpy. "But I feel confident he will be very competitive this time. He is doing well and he likes the Tapeta. Much will now depend on the pace of the race and his draw position."
The 2010 Dubai Kahayla Classic was won by Qatari raider Jaafer, who was trained by former Abu Dhabi-based Julian Smart. The winner was ridden by Dutch jockey Adrie De Vries.
