Group 1 US$250,000 Dubai Kahayla Classic, March 30, first race on Dubai World Cup card -sponsored by Emaar
Track Notes from Meydan March 29
Al Mamun Monlau – The daily routine continued for Al Mamun Monlau as he prepared for the Kahayla Classic at Meydan on Friday. Again, the chestnut Arabian cantered a slow 1400 metres, then a steady 1400 metres in the company of fellow French horses, including Dunaden. Elizabeth Garel said that Al Mamun Monlau will jog on the training track Saturday morning.
TM Junior Johnson – Champion UAE Jockey Tadhg O’Shea rides TM Junior Johnson instead of 2011 winner and 2012 runner-up Seraphin Du Paon.
“These decisions are never easy but TM Junior Johnson is a lovely young horse and a very exciting new acquisition to the yard. Anything he achieves on Saturday though is going to be a bonus because he will be a very exciting horse for next season,” he said. “He has so much potential and will hopefully develop into a serious racehorse.”
Group 1 US$10m Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline
Animal Kingdom – After watching Team Valor International’s Animal Kingdom eagerly gallop about 2600 metres on the all-weather track, trainer Graham Motion said, “He was on his toes again today. I couldn’t be happier with him.”
Animal Kingdom has proven his ability on dirt, turf and all-weather surfaces in the United States and Motion said his assistant and exercise rider Alice Clapham “has been very pleased with how he handles this track.”
Dullahan – Donegal Racing’s Dullahan galloped about 2400 metres on the all-weather track and visited the starting gate for a schooling session during which he was well mannered. Assistant trainer and exercise rider Tammy Fox said the striking chestnut has been getting stronger in his work this week and is coming into Saturday’s race just the way trainer Dale Romans feels will lead to his best effort.
“I’m very pleased with him. He’s peaking at the right time,” said Fox.
Royal Delta – Two-time American champion Royal Delta galloped about 2200 metres on the all-weather track and then went to the starting gate for a schooling session.
“We’re pleased,” said trainer Bill Mott. “Everything has gone very smoothly with her here.”
Mott said he has discussed race strategy with jockey Mike Smith, and while he declined to share what they are planning, it is widely speculated that Royal Delta will use her speed out of post eight to gain a prominent early position.
Meandre – The Andre Fabre-trained Meandre finished his Dubai World Cup preparation with another light canter on the Meydan all-weather track.
Richard Lambert, his travelling head lad, who has been working for Andre Fabre for thirty years, said, “As I said before, his routine hasn’t changed. He did a light canter and we are very happy with him. He seems well.”
Planteur – The 6-year-old played true to the week’s form when he took to the main track for one gentle circuit of maintenance cantering.
“We wanted him to have an easy day so he just basically stretched his legs,” said trainer Marco Botti. “Everything is ready. He seems in tremendous form, he looks well in his coat and I am happy with his shape.”
Planteur’s demeanour has encouraged Botti to expect a good show to add to his third place in last year’s Dubai World Cup.
“I think it is quite an open race,” the trainer ventured. “We have a good draw in the middle and we know he handles the surface so we are hoping for the best. We like where we are with the horse.”
Red Cadeaux – Red Cadeaux had an easy canter over one lap of the track on Friday morning for trainer Ed Dunlop
“He’s in good form and seems to handle the track okay,” Dunlop said. “The worry is that 2000 metres might be on the short side for him. So far as the race is concerned, I’ll leave that to Gerald (Mossse). He’s a world-class jockey and gave him a superb ride last time in Hong Kong.”
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