Brazil jockey Silvestre de De Sousa predicts big night for Godolphin at Dubai World Cup

Dubai: Brazilian-born jockey Silvestre de Sousa, who has a mouth-watering book of rides at tomorrow’s Dubai World Cup (G1) meeting, is predicting a big night for his employers Godolphin.

Among the six horses that he is set to partner is the plum ride aboard favourite Hunter’s Light in the big race itself.

“The position is different from last year for me and I cannot wait,” the 32-year-old de Sousa said. “I think Godolphin will have a great night. The horses are in great form. I am very excited and really looking forward to the big night.”

De Sousa, who appeared upbeat about the Hunter’s Light’s form heading into the Dubai World Cup, continued: “I am very pleased with what Hunter’s Light has achieved so far. Everything I have asked him to do, he has done very easily. I couldn’t pick a better ride in the race and I think he goes there with a good chance. It is a pleasure to ride a horse like him and he has improved for every race.

“I have ridden him four times and he has won four times — the last twice very easily. He acts on Tapeta really well and is a better horse on that surface than he is on the grass.

“The Dubai World Cup is very competitive, with the Americans the main danger, but I am confident my horse will give his best — I haven’t really put the guns on him in a race so far and I think he will give more. He has a decent draw and is a very uncomplicated ride.”

The jockey joined Godolphin in February last year and had four rides on Dubai World Cup night, but could finish no better than eighth aboard Songcraft in the Dubai Sheema Classic (G1), 11th on Mendip in the Dubai World Cup, 12th in the Godolphin Mile (G2) and 13th aboard Rio De La Plata in the Dubai Duty Free (G1).

This time, however, most of his other rides have serious claims, with Sajjhaa in the $5 million Dubai Duty Free appealing to him the most.

“Sajjhaa is a great mare and she is three out of three here this year,” he said. “She has done really well and I think she has a shout on Saturday. She is in good form and the one everybody has to beat. Once she got the room last time, she was great and picked up very nicely.”

Commenting on his prospects aboard Secret Number in the $2 million UAE Derby (G2) De Sousa said: “Secret Number has done nothing wrong — winning two out of two. But I may have picked the wrong one because the filly [Shuruq] is nice as well.

“It was difficult to pick between the two. The filly gets a weight allowance and was impressive when winning the UAE Oaks. He is a good horse and she is nice filly.”

The Brazilian also rides veteran Cavalryman in the Dubai Gold Cup, Sharestan, in the Dubai Sheema Classic and Alpha in the Godolphin Mile.