Jory may attempt daring heist

Dubai: Saudi Arabia-based English trainer Ian Jory is likely to attempt a daring heist of not one, but two races on this Saturday's $21 million card, should he get the go-ahead today.

Jory is waiting to learn from owner Prince Sultan Mohammad Saud Al Kabeer if his three-year-olds, Simpatico Bribon and Gold For Sale, will both run in the $2million UAE Derby (Group 1) or if the former will be allowed a shot at the $6million Dubai World Cup (Group 1).

Jory is keen that his two stable stars should be kept apart but did not contribute to the debate surrounding their running plans.

"The horses will breeze tomorrow after which I will talk to the Prince," Jory told Gulf News. "He'll then make up his mind. But at the moment he's leaving it open."

Despite giving weight all around, Chilean-bred Simpatico Bribon was an impressive winner of the Al Bastikiya 17 days ago while Gold For Sale demolished a strong field to win the 2,000 Guineas on February 10.

Both horses were originally being aimed at the Derby. But Jory, a former assistant to Sir Michael Stoute in the UK, had earlier this month hinted at a change of plans.

"It's a definite case of running Simpatico Bribon in the World Cup because carrying all that weight (62kg) he just played with his rivals in the Bastikiya," said the trainer. "Three-year-olds have come and won the big races all through the years. So it's not out of the line at all. It's just a question of getting the go-ahead.

"If you ask me I'd love to win both races. But we must also make sure that we don't lose both as well."

Jory said it was tough to call which horse was better.

"We've never pitted them against each other, never even breezed them against each other," he said. "We never wanted to hook them up and even gave them different riders Mick (Kinane) for Gold For Sale and Johnny (Murtagh) for Simpatico Bribon.

"Gold For Sale ran such a super race in the Guineas. He's got a huge heart and he's a real competitor. I never saw a horse do what he did in that race. So he's got to be taken very seriously.

"Simpatico Bribon also impressed me terribly and he's very progressive. He likes it out here and likes the surface. That's a big plus."

Commenting on the opposition that Simpatico will encounter, should he be directed to the Dubai World Cup, Jory said: "The Japanese horse (Kane Hekili) is a nice horse and so is Godolphin's Electrocutionist, although he's never really been tested."