Dubai : Francesca Cumani, who was one of the stars at yesterday's Breakfast with the Stars at Meydan feels Presvis, trained by her father Luca Cumani, has a good chance of winning the Dubai Duty Free (Group 1), a $5 million (Dh18.3 million) turf contest.
Francesca, who assists her father, told Gulf News yesterday that Presvis was looking good after his win on Super Thursday.
"He is doing very well. Presvis is in a very similar position like he was in last year. My dad is very happy, he looks in good form. And he is coming on the back of a win," she said.
Francesca added: "Chances are good I am hoping. I think so, looking at the form of the other horses, knowing that he has been here before and done it all before. He has won at the Carnival."
Presvis won the Jebel Hatta (Group 2) beating Godolphin's Alexandros who renews the rivalry tomorrow but will not be under regular jockey Ryan Moore. Instead, he will be ridden by Christophe Lemaire.
Unlucky draw victim
The 6-year-old bay son of Sakhee has had two runs here, finishing second on the Tapeta to Allybar and then winning his second on turf. However, he has drawn stall 15 in the 16-horse field.
"The draw is not ideal but he is a kind of horse where the draw is not crucial. He tends to slip behind so that is not a big problem," she said.
"Everyone has been very complimentary about the track saying it rides very well. It is tighter than I expected it to be, but he has taken to it well," Francesca said.
"I think he has settled well and likes the sun, a lot of horses like a warmer climate. I don't know which is good; some people bring out their horses at the last minute," she said.
"It must be tough for the horses when they come from cold, dark England to hot sunny Dubai. However, I think the sun on their backs helps them," she added.
"My dad has been coming and going through the whole Carnival. Now he has been here since Saturday and everything seems to be under control," Francesca said.
