Discreet Cat gets Dubai World Cup nod

Dubai: Godolphin have given the green light for their unbeaten star Discreet Cat to compete in the $6 million Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates airline.

The Dubai operation will try to parlay Discreet Cat's victory in last year's Group 2 UAE Derby, sponsored by Saeed & Mohammad Al Naboudah Holding LLC, into a triumph in the world's richest race on March 31.

There had been some debate about whether the four-year-old would run in the Godolphin Mile, but Racing Manager Simon Crisford yesterday said the 2,000-metre showpiece is the No 1 target.

"We've got plenty of options," Crisford said. "But the plan at this time is to prepare him for the Dubai World Cup."

The son of Forestry's brilliant versatility allows the stable to consider several other possibilities. Godolphin also has nominated Discreet Cat to the Dubai Golden Shaheen (Group 1) sponsored by Gulf News, over 1,200 metres and the Godolphin Mile (Group 2).

Settled well

Discreet Cat has settled in well since he was shipped to Dubai from the United States following his victory in the Cigar Mile (Grade 1) at Aqueduct to cap a 2006 season that led to him being rated the world's best three-year-old along with Darley's American champion Bernardini on the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings.

Crisford added: "He's an incredibly exciting horse to have in the barn. He likes to train very slowly every day, and requires very little training and very little work."

Discreet Cat was clearly the star of Godolphin's show yesterday morning, staged to mark the 31st Asian Racing Conference (ARC).

He cantered during an open house at Al Quoz training centre, while under the admiring gaze of ARC delegates.