Dubday could feature in Melbourne Cup race

Published: Sat 8 Aug 2015, 10:31 PM

Last updated: Sun 9 Aug 2015, 9:27 AM

 Qatar-based horse trainer Jassim Al Ghazali is thinking seriously to extend his racing scope to the southern hemisphere by sending his Goodwood winner Dubday to contest in Melbourne Cup, it was revealed on Friday.
The five-year-old son of Dubawi has made history for Al Ghazali after earning him his first UK success in the Group-3 Betfred Glorious Stakes at Goodwood late last month.
At 150-1 for the Melbourne Cup, Dubday is behind several other possible raiders for the race, including Snow Sky, Big Orange and Conneticut, with his next potential target the Prix Foy at Longchamp.
"All plans are fluid at the moment," said Harry Herbert, racing manager for Al Shaqab, quoted on Racing UK's website.
"At the moment we are thinking of taking him over for the Foy. After that we'll be seriously thinking about the Melbourne Cup.
"I'd personally love him to go because he's a mile-and-a-half horse who stays further with a turn of foot, he ticks a lot of the boxes.
"I think he'd be competitive in it. And how often are you going to come across a horse with the right credentials? So, it's strongly under consideration.
"Unless you go out and buy a horse specifically for the race you don't get many opportunities to have a runner."
Meanwhile, leading trainer Richard Hannon has booked Italian jockey Frankie Dettori to ride Ivawood in Sunday's LARC Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville. It will be the first Group 1 event following the departure of the stable's jockey Richard Hughes.
As Hughes has set up his own career as a trainer, Hannon often speaks of a willingness to give those within the yard the opportunity to shine. But it is Dettori - enjoying a fine summer in the saddle with big-race wins - who will ride Ivawood for the first time.
Stablemate Coulsty has also been declared with Sean Levey aboard.

By Riturn

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