The entire team around American Horse of the Year Invasor keenly observed his every move during his Friday gallop around Nad al Sheba, pronouncing him ready for his best effort in tomorrow's Dubai World Cup (Gr.1), sponsored by Emirates Airline.
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, jockey Fernando Jara and Shadwell Farm General Manager Rick Nichols stood together by the rail on the backstretch to watch the champion up close.
"Kiaran's got him perfect," said Nichols after the dark bay strode past on his way back to the barn. "Invasor does everything so easily. He loves training."
Nichols, who has overseen the American breeding operation of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum since 1985, said winning the race would be a tremendous accomplishment for the Sheikh, who purchased Invasor after the horse won the Uruguayan Triple Crown in 2005.
"To win one of the world's greatest races with the Horse of the Year-it would be awesome," Nichols said.
Saeed bin Suroor has been pleased with the unbeaten Discreet Cat's preparation for the Dubai World Cup. The Godolphin trainer commented: "He is in good order and I am really happy with him.
"Discreet Cat has improved mentally and physically since last year when he was a bit keen in the mornings.
"It will be a new distance for him and I want to see him relax in the race. Frankie knows the horse very well."
"We are looking to see a big result from him - indeed I think he will win."
His jockey Frankie Dettori added: "Discreet Cat is a smashing horse and a true champion. He has matured and strengthened up since last year.
"We will find out on the night about whether he stays the trip but we go into the race very positively and will give it our best shot. His preparation has gone very well.
"I would say this year's World Cup is a better race than last year's. There are some great champions in the race and I am very excited - it will be a great race to watch."
Premium Tap continued to exhibit exuberant power at Nad al Sheba on Friday morning. After jogging once around the track with a pony companion, Premium Tap leaped in the air and took off for his gallop, swishing his tail and pulling on rider Jorge Munoz to do more.
As if to make an exclamation point when he passed by trainer John Kimmel near the end of his work, Premium Tap bucked with playfulness, eliciting a satisfied grin from the trainer.
"That was a combination of a buck and a flying lead change. He seems pretty happy," Kimmel said before escorting Premium Tap to an introduction to the Nad al Sheba starting gate.
Led into stall four of the gate, the dual Grade 1 winner stood quietly but alertly, his ears pricked much of the time, before being backed out without incident.
"That was a non-issue," Kimmel said. "His head is in a good place now."
Hong Kong raider Bullish Luck was out on the training track this morning and his trainer Tony Cruz said: "We are in for a race of a lifetime, especially as he's an eight-year-old and has never run on the dirt before.
"He has shown he can handle the dirt in barrier trial, and we are also going on his pedigree as his mother is by Alysheba and his third dam produced Triptych, who I used to ride.
"So there is a family thing going, so I guess I was destined to play part in this horse's career."
Japan's big hope Vermilion was on the dirt track this morning and his trainer Sei Ishizaka said: "We have done everything we could have now. I am looking forward it, but we are facing some strong rivals."
ATR REUNITES CHAMPIONS FOR UNIQUE EVENT AT ASCOT
Project in aid of The Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust
This Saturday (tomorrow) at Ascot sees At The Races arrange a one-off meeting of National Hunt Champion Jockeys and Trainers, as they get together for the first pair of four very special photographs.
The photographs, featuring all living Champion Flat and Jump Trainers and Champion Flat and Jump Jockeys, will be produced and sold on a limited edition print basis as collectors’ items. It is expected that demand for each photograph will run to several thousand, with all profits going to the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust and its affiliated charities.
Prints will be sold individually for each category and as complete sets at £99 and £300 respectively. There will also be a limited edition run of signed prints, priced at £1,250 each or £4,000 for a set.
It is expected that prints will go on sale during the Royal Ascot meeting, although interest can now be registered in these unique pieces of racing memorabilia at www.attheraces.com.
The National Hunt Champions in each photograph are:
Trainers
Martin Pipe
David Elsworth
Nicky Henderson
Michael Dickinson
Peter Easterby
Denys Smith
Paul Nicholls
Dr Vincent O'Brien
Jockeys
Tony McCoy
Richard Dunwoody
Peter Scudamore
John Francome
Jonjo O'Neill
Tommy Stack
Ron Barry
Bob Davies
Graham Thorner
Terry Biddlecombe
Josh Gifford
Stan Mellor
Dick Francis
Jack Dowdeswell
The Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust was set up to raise much needed funds for the six welfare concerns to which it is dedicated: The Blue Cross, The Brooke, Compassion in World Farming, The International League for the Protection of Horses, Racing Welfare and The Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre. Since its inception ten years ago, the Trust has distributed over £1.5 million.
Matthew Imi, Chief Executive, ATR said:
“Seeing such a large number of these legends of the sport together at Ascot this Saturday will be an enormous privilege, and we are delighted to support the project. We expect the photographs to be much in demand by racing enthusiasts, and hope to raise a lot of money for a very worth cause.”
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
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