North America's shot at redemption

Dubai - Trainer Satish Seemar could not have hoped for a better comeback from the seven-year-old son of Dubawi

North America's unstoppable run in the two starts this year has made him a favourite for Saturday's $12 million Dubai World Cup race at the majestic Meydan.
Ridden by Richard Mullen, North America stormed to victory in the Al Maktoum Challenge (1,900M, dirt) on February 7.
That highly impressive performance came on the back of a first-place finish over 1,600m (dirt) on January 10.
Trainer Satish Seemar could not have hoped for a better comeback from the seven-year-old son of Dubawi who finished 10th in the Dubai World Cup last year despite starting the race as one of the biggest favourites.
But last year's failure is now a thing of the past. 
Since last month's victory, North America has continued to impress Seemar in training. 
"All is well. He kind of ate up the time as he liked," said Seemar. 
"Each furlong was stronger than the one before and Richard was happy when he jumped off him. He's had his big work and will have an easy work," the Indian trainer added. 
"When our horse has run a proper race, no horse has been a problem for him. We missed the break last year and had no chance, but this horse - when he runs, he really runs and it doesn't matter which horse is going against him. If he gets that right run without any glitches, I think we have no problem."
Jockey Mullen was also delighted with North America's work in training. "I am very happy with him," he said. 
"He isn't a horse who's flashy in the morning. He's very reminiscent of the likes of Reynaldothewizard, who would only ever do enough. 
"We wanted him to do a little more and we decided to lead. He was a little more enthusiastic doing that. It was probably his best work this year. His other great work was when we worked him out of the gate before his big win in Round 1. That's a good sign going forward," he added.
"I know when I sit on him how he's moving and how he feels in himself. All those boxes have been ticked so far. Touch wood, he comes out of it well. The last three furlongs were very good and it was a solid work throughout. 
"He has such a great racing brain; so relaxed. My kids could ride him. He will fall asleep out there if you let him, so I kept him busy to the wire and galloped out.
"He's such a big-striding horse," Mullen said. 
"People don't think he's going as fast as he is, because he looks like he's half-pacing it while he's actually moving along quickly. That's his powerhouse - his stride - he just kills horses off with it."
While the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Thunder Snow returns to defend the Dubai World Cup crown, other big contenders for Saturday's big prize are Capezzano, Seeking the Soul, Pavel, Yoshida and Audible.
rituraj@khaleejtimes.com