Keen Tussle on the Cards

DUBAI - Sponsored by Dubai Duty Free, the $5million 1800m Group 1 Dubai Duty Free is always one of the strongest races on Dubai world Cup night and this year is no exception.

By (KT Report)

  • Follow us on
  • google-news
  • whatsapp
  • telegram

Published: Sun 28 Mar 2010, 12:26 AM

Last updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 5:26 AM

The maximum field of 16 has been declared with all eyes firmly fixed on Presvis, runner-up in this race last year and the ultra impressive winner of the Group 2 Jebel Hatta on Super Thursday. That is the official prep for this, over the same course and distance and his trainer Luca Cumani was delighted with that performance: “We were very pleased as he had not shown his old spark in a couple of starts but was back to his very best. He was carrying a penalty as well so it was a great effort, he is in good form and can hopefully go very close.”

Second on Super Thursday and third in this last year was Godolphin’s Alexandros and his jockey Frankie Dettori said: “He loves this turf course at Meydan and has been a great Carnival horse the last two years, as well as running very well in Europe.

He was third last year but faces old rival Presvis again.

He was second last year and beat us last time so we are seeking revenge.”

Tam Lin was third in the Super Thursday race, with Ibn Battuta fourth, Justenuffhumor fifth and Lahaleeb sixth. Such was the manner of Presvis’ victory though, it is hard to see any of them reversing the form. Of that quartet, Ibn Battuta could be the one to surprise a few.

He will be ridden by Wayne Smith who said: “He can build on that effort as he did not seem at his very best.

Hopefully he will run well.” He is trained by Musabah Al Muhairi, as is Snaafy, the mount of Richard Hills who said: “We nominated this race after his win on turf at the start of the Carnival but did try him once on Tapeta. He was unlucky last time.” On that occasion he was behind Imbongi in the Group 2 Zabeel Mile and the Mike De Kock-trained runner is another to consider. His trainer said: “This is a much tougher race but he is in good form. That was his third good run of the season and he should not be far away.”

The middle of Imbongi’s three runs was a narrow defeat in the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort.

He was just in front of Ibn Battuta but just behind Bankable, trained by Herman Brown who said: “He is working nicely and we have kept him fresh for this race deliberately. I would expect him to at least go close granted luck in running.”

Good Ba Ba is a superstar in Hong Kong and will be ridden by Weichong Marwing whose Dubai World Cup night record is excellent from his days with de Kock. He has to be feared, as does Confront, trained by Sir Michael Stoute and the mount of Ryan Moore. Moore won on both Presvis and Bankable in their most recent races but is American duo Courageous Cat and Take The Points will also have their supporters in a wide open contest.


More news from