It was bad news for his rivals when trainer Brad Cox announced that Grade 1 winner and Saudi Cup third Saudi Crown would take a drop in grade for the G2 Godolphin Mile [Sponsored by EMAAR] instead of contesting the Dubai World Cup.
The 4-year-old has been training in Dubai since his big Riyadh run, under the care of trainer’s son and assistant Blake, who issued an upbeat bulletin.
“He’s doing very well, he arrived on February 26th, settled in, and he’s had three works over the track,” he said. “He ran well [in Saudi], but I love the way he’s bounced out of it and he continues to improve.”
Saudi Crown is drawn in nine, two spots inside the defending champion Isolate, who has drawn 11. Doug Watson’s charge finished sixth in the Saudi Cup, but Watson believes he’ll do better here.
“It was always the plan to go to the Saudi Cup after his Godolphin Mile win last season,” said the multiple UAE Champion Trainer. “He travelled well and ran well in Saudi but was a little quiet for a week or so when he came back. He came off the track on his hind legs this morning, so we were all excited about that!
“The draw isn’t great but Saudi Crown is stall nine and they’re the true speed in the race. The others might try to go but I think from out there it will be those two vying for the lead.
“He’s in great form and he loves this track.”
The 13-strong field also features G3 Jebel Ali Mile winner Swing Vote, who caught the eye in his final piece of work on Tuesday morning.
“He’s doing well. He looked great on the track and Ross [Atkinson, Work Rider] was very happy with him,” reported co-trainer Ed Crisford. “That should put him spot on for Saturday.”
Former Champion Trainer Bhupat Seemar pitches two into the $1million contest; two-time Dubai World Cup runner, Remorse and recent recruit Walk Of Stars.
"We've had hiccups with Remorse this season,” he said. “He was only about 60-70 percent fit for his first run this season. He is such a kind, loving horse who wants to give his best every time he runs. Speed usually holds in that race, but he'll be right behind them, and he'll stay.
"Walk of Stars has improved with every run this year on the dirt. He is a horse who has got a lot of ability, but he keeps plenty in reserve and that's why we have blinkers on him. He doesn't know how good he is and we don't know how good he is yet."
The 13-strong field also includes Uruguay Group 1 winner Pacholli, now trained by Julio Olascoaga, who is a ten-time winner in South America.
"She is an interesting mare who has won many times including a Group 1 on her last start in January," he said. "She looks fit and ready. The question mark will be her first time running here and against males."
Two Rivers Over takes his chance for trainer Doug O’Neill, who won this in 2007 with Spring At Last.
“We are very happy to be here,” said assistant trainer Leandro Mora. “We have only one horse, but it's great to be at Meydan for World Cup night.
“Edwin Maldonado is a jockey who likes to ride horses forward, so we are hopeful that he can get him away from the gate well and try to avoid some of the kickback,” he added of the Zia Park Derby winner. “The draw [8] doesn't really matter to us, we just want him to be sharp out of the gate.”
The G2 Godolphin Mile [Sponsored by EMAAR] is race two on the nine-race card, with a scheduled off time of 4:05pm UAE.
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