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Jockey Talamo Praises California Flag

DUBAI — Top American jockey Joe Talamo said he’s confident that California Flag will be difficult to beat in the $1m Al Qouz Sprint Gr-3 (Turf), the second race on the Saturday’s $26m Dubai World Cup night card.

“He’s in excellent form and settled well after the trip,” Talamo told Khaleej Times at the Meydan racecourse on Thursday morning.

The six-year-old gelded son of Avenue Flag has been away from the track since finishing close fifth to Sacred Kingdom in the Hong Kong Sprint Cup Gr-1 at Sha Tin Racecourse last December.

“This is not what worries me most. He’s training well and in good shape both physically and mentally. But, the only drawback is the fact that he will be out for the first time on the straight course,” he pointed out.

Talamo examined the course along with the horse’s trainer in the early morning and reiterated that the surface is perfect and encouraging.

“California Flag used to race on the curve course and for this reason we have to see how he would handle the 1200m dash track,” he said.

Meanwhile, the race could be described as a re-match between four of Saturday’s opponents including Australian raider and third-placed behind Sacred Kingdom, Joy And Fun, All Silent and War Artist.

California Flag is a front runner and his racing style is always ‘catch me if you can’, but he needs to finish strongly in the final stages to improve his chances in the trophy.

However, American horses have never won before a turf race in Dubai. Red Rocks and Kip Deville set the best example. The two horses came from behind the Atlantic with cracking form, but failed to impress in the 1777m $5m Dubai Duty Free Gr-1 and the 2400m $5m Dubai Golden Shaheen respectively.

Presious Passion came to Dubai to compete in the Dubai Golden Shaheen Gr-1 after finishing respectable second to Conduit in the Breeders’ Cup Turf last November.

“He’s a front runner as well and hopefully Presious Passion would break a new ground for the American turf horses,” said lady trainer Mary Hartmann.

“The course is perfect and there’s no complains at all as regards the stables or venues. They are all first class facilities, and the course looks like the American racecourses with the only exception that Meydan’s home stretch is too long,” she clarified.