Crisford looks for home advantage

Godolphin’s racing manager Simon Crisford is relying on home advantage to help his five-strong group of runners to deny American duo Animal Kingdom and Royal Delta.

By (Alex Leach)

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Published: Sat 30 Mar 2013, 12:26 AM

Last updated: Sat 4 Apr 2015, 9:06 AM

Crisford believes the talented twosome from across the Atlantic Ocean are a step up in class and quality from anything his Al Quoz-based stable can offer up in the Dubai World Cup on Saturday night.

However, Godolphin’s challengers do have familiarity with the Tapeta surface and the surroundings in their favour, which could well prove invaluable in a contest worth $10m where fine margins can often be decisive.

“We do have a strong hand, but – if the American contingent are on song and they take to the surface – then they would be much better than what we have to offer,” Crisford admitted.

“Our horses are good and they love this track. We have home advantage because we’ve been racing here throughout the carnival.

“But, I do believe that our horses wouldn’t have the same class as Animal Kingdom and Royal Delta. These two are better quality — with more class — than anything we have.

“We can get it right though. I mean just because they’re better quality horses, it doesn’t mean they will win as we’re racing at Meydan and our horses love the surface.”

Home hopes may then rest on the 18 contenders from the marine-blue yard in the build-up races, with strong UAE representation across the undercard to the evening’s big event.

“You would hope that Tenenbaum would have a good chance in the stayers’ race (Dubai Gold Cup), whereas Mental would be clear top-rated in the sprint (Dubai Golden Shaheen),” Crisford added.

“He’s a divisional champion in Australia and very much pleased us when he won the other day. I know that Mahmood (Al Zarooni) has been happy with him coming up to this race.

“In the UAE Derby, Now Spun has won on the turf and would have a nice chance, while Secret Number is unbeaten; he must go well in that race.

“Sajjhaa and City Style should both be competitive in the Dubai Duty Free.

“You couldn’t really fancy our horses in the Sheema Classic. They wouldn’t be good enough.

“Moonwalk in Paris would obviously be our number one horse in the Godolphin Mile and he must be knocking on the door.”

alex@khaleejtimes.com


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