Dubai: Godolphin handler Charlie Appleby is hoping that Tryster helps him secure a much sought-after maiden victory at the $30million (Dh110 million) Dubai World Cup meeting on Saturday.
The Shamardal gelding is unbeaten in two starts at Meydan including the Group 1 Jebel Hatta instilling in Appleby the confidence that he can continue his rich vein of form in the $6million Dubai Turf (former Dubai Duty Free), one of the strongest races on the big night.
Appleby, who principally campaigned Tryster on the all-weather tracks at Chelmsford, Kempton and Linfield during the 2014-2015 British flat season, also upholds Tryster’s standing as the international favourite.
“We’ve been happy with his preparations so far. It’s more of the race start that will fully change for him,” said the Englishman, now in his fourth year as a retained Godolphin handler.
“In the Jebel Hatta he ran a more solid pace that evening. It will be the usual hold-up start but we expect him to come out stronger.”
“He has been maturing all the time. He has come out here in the past and done so much better than some of the younger horses,” Appleby added.
“Tryster has developed his strength and he’s in a very good pace and that goes to his advantage.
“I think he is looking so much more of a horse that is capable of dealing with everything on a big night like this. He has been here twice already, so he has this advantage in his favour.
He has taken all in his stride and that shows his adaptability to various conditions. He is well prepped for the big night.”
Assessing Tryster’s chances in a field that also includes Roger Varian’s Intilaaq, Japanes Group 1 score Real Steel and Carnival discovery Forries Waltz, Appleby evaluated the horse’s draw in stall eight.
“It doesn’t really affect us as we’ll be content to sit cold on Tryster as usual out the back,” he said.
“I’m sure this will be a truer test, however, as they’ve gone steady fractions in both his races this year and there are the likes of Intilaaq, Ghaamer and Very Special in there who don’t hang around.”
Tryster was originally being considered for a shot at the $10million Dubai World Cup on dirt earlier in the year and Appleby explained the decision to keep him on turf.
“What we do know about Tryster is that he has an exceptional turn of foot like he showed on the synthetic sufrace back home. But he’s getting better with age,” he said.
Appleby also saddles Jungle Cat, who finished second in the Group 3 Meydan Sprint, in the $1million Al Quoz Sprint.
