Dubai: The newly renamed $6m Dubai Turf (formerly the Dubai Duty Free) has historically been one of the strongest races on the Dubai World Cup card and this year’s renewal of the 1,900-metre contest has remained true to form.
Ten reputable middle-distance turf specialists have been declared, with three locally trained runners taking on the might of America, Europe and South Africa. Farraaj represents Dhruba Selvaratnam, Earnshaw new trainer Salem Bin Ghadayer and Limario for Doug Watson.
While they may enjoy a slight home advantage, they will have to up their game several notches if they are to get in the mix against the powerful visitors.
The French appear to have a strong hand in the race with both Solow, the winner of seven of his last eight starts, and Cladocera, a dual Group 2 scorer during the Dubai World Cup Carnival, standing out as leading contenders.
British-trained The Grey Gatsy, last year’s Prix du Jockey Club hero, must also come into the race with strong claims.
Trained in England by Kevin Ryan, The Grey Gatsby will be ridden by Ryan Moore, who has only been beaten once on the horse.
“Obviously Ryan knows the horse very well,” said the trainer. “He seems in good nick and we are excited to be here with a horse with such a good chance.”
Alain de Royer-Dupre saddles filly Cladocera, an impressive winner of both the Balanchine and Cape Verde, who bids to emulate Godolphin’s Sajjhaa by beating the boys in the Turf.
The four-year-old daughter of Oasis Dream will again be ridden by Christophe Soumillon, who said: “We know conditions suit her. She has won well both times and should go well in what is obviously a lot tougher race.”
Maxine Guyon, a former winner of the Prix De Jockey club (G1, French Derby) rides Solow, who is trained by Freddy Head.
“He seems nice and relaxed and has taken the trip in his stride,” Head said of the horse, who is a potential Breeders’ Cup candidate. “From the first days in my yard I thought he’d be a stayer on his pedigree. I ran him over longer trips and that was a disaster so I tried him over a mile and then things started to go.
“We don’t know how good he is yet and he’s improving all the time. He’s getting better with age. I’m very happy with the way he’s settled here so we’ll cross our fingers and see.”
Italian born but England-based Marco Botti saddles Euro Charline, winner of the Grade 1 Beverley D Stakes at Arlington Park on her most recent outing in August.
“She seems very happy,” said her trainer. “We got her back from America [she spent three months with Todd Pletcher] in December and there have been no hiccups. We have to respect the opposition but, to my eye, she is a stronger filly this year.”
