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Multiple Group-winning American raider Mystic Guide, one of a triumvirate of Godolphin’s horses, has drawn a favourable gate for the $12 million Dubai World Cup on Saturday.
The post position draw was held at the Meydan Racecourse, following a minute’s silence in memory of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Minister of Finance, who passed away on Wednesday.
And Mystic Guide, the four-year-old Ghostzapper colt, and the highest-rated horse with an official rating of 119, will break from stall six for the 10-furlong race on dirt.
Godolphin’s other runners — Emirati handler Saeed bin Suroor’s Gifts Of Gold drew the wide gate 14, while Magny Cours, saddled by Andre Fabre, will break from stall 12.
The draw saw Salute The Soldier being the first to be picked and the six-year-old Sepoy gelding, who won the second and third rounds of the Al Maktoum Challenge during the Dubai World Cup Carnival, drew gate 11.
Emirati trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri’s Military Law, who had emerged victorious in Round 1 of the Challenge and was sixth in the $20 million Saudi Cup last month, will break from stall five.
Six-time UAE Champion Trainer Doug Watson’s Thegreatcollection, was the last one to be picked during the draw and drew gate eight.
Emirati conditioner Salem bin Ghadayer’s Hypothetical will break from stall two, while his other contender Capezzano drew gate seven.
“The draw is not the best,” bin Suroor, the most successful trainer with a record-breaking nine victories, said after the draw.
“But the horse is doing well, he can jump well from the stalls and I’m happy with the way he trained as he came back from Saudi. We are looking forward to seeing him run well,” the 54-year-old added of Gifts Of Gold, who had triumphed in the $2.5 million The Red Sea Turf Handicap over 3000 metres on Saudi Cup night.
Michael Stidham, the trainer of Mystic Guide, couldn’t have been more pleased with the draw.
"It’s perfect. Couldn’t be happier,” said Stidham.
Meanwhile, Bahraini Fawzi Nass, who saddles the Salute The Soldier would have liked a better draw.
"Obviously we would have preferred a lower draw, but it is what it is, and, in Adrie de Vries, we have a top jockey who will ride his race as he sees fit,” said Nass.
Al Mheiri, though, was delighted with gate five.
"I am very happy with the draw,” said Al Mheiri.
“This is perfect, and I just couldn’t have asked for a better position for him to start. If he jumps out well and Antonio Fresu can get him into a good position just off the pace, then we have every reason to believe he will be in a good position to contest the finish. He will work for the last time on Thursday, and we will have him ready for race day,” he added.
Watson too was content with getting post eight and said that it would work to Thegreatcollection’s advantage.
“We have to be happy with eight and we know he is a horse who likes to be ridden patiently so, hopefully, there is plenty of early pace and he can pick up in the straight. He is in great form and looks fantastic anyway,” said Watson.
Meanwhile, Salem bin Ghadayer, said: “We couldn’t be happier. The draw for both horses is very good and I’m very confident. Hypothetical has class and has shown improvement race by race and he will run a huge race.”
Uruguay’s Ajuste Fiscal drew stall 13 while, Japanese horse Chuwa Wizard will break from gate three. American horse Title Ready drew gate four, while, British contender Great Scot, owned by Prince Faisal bin Khaled bin Abdulaziz, and the mount of Frankie Dettori, will break from closest to the rail, from stall one.
Jesus’ Team drew gate nine, while Sleepy Eyes Todd drew stall 10.
james@khaleejtimes.com
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