The rain that drenched the Emirates through the previous 24 hours had abated when Joao Moreira landed early morning in Dubai from Hong Kong and hot-footed it to Meydan to ride two of his five Dubai World Cup meeting mounts, Military Attack and Dominant, in trackwork (Thursday, 27 March).
Hung Kam Po (right), Owner of Al Quoz Sprint runner Amber Sky, and trainer Ricky Yiu at Meydan Racecourse this morning.
The Brazilian, who reaped a double at Sha Tin on Wednesday night before boarding his flight, climbed atop G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) contender Dominant for a spin on the turf at around 7.15am.
“Dominant went 400m, just a piece of exercise, not a really strong gallop and he seems to be better for it,” said Moreira of December’s G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Vase (2400m) winner. “To me, he’s in better form than he was when he won the Vase in Hong Kong. I really believe he can run anti-clockwise no problem, the way he strides, and I’m confident about him.”
Trainer John Moore was on hand as Moreira hopped off Dominant and climbed aboard the six-year-old’s stablemate Military Attack. The G1 Dubai World Cup (2000m) hope completed a circuit of the Tapeta track, at first following Moore’s G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200m) runner, Sterling City, and then stepping things up a touch through the final 1200m.
“He felt great,” said Moreira after the Oratorio gelding had completed the smooth stretch-out upside his companion. “We just went out for a piece of exercise, it wasn’t really hard work and he’s in good condition. Obviously, he doesn’t like the kick-back on his face and he shook his head a little bit, but apart from that he worked very well. He worked even better than Sterling City – he looks like he’s holding his good form from Hong Kong.”
And Moreira was pleased that he will break from gate eight in the world’s richest race on Saturday night.
“It’s very exciting because I think he has a very good barrier draw,” he said. “I’m very happy with that because he’s going to have every chance to get in a good spot and be where we want to be. Now we just need the luck!”
Earlier, at around 6.30am, fellow World Cup contender Akeed Mofeed looked calm and relaxed as he went through what has become something of a routine, being led out to about the 1400m pole before going for a very gentle canter. This morning brought a change to normality however, as big-race jockey Douglas Whyte replaced work rider Roy Cheung for a swifter piece of work and the entire moved well across the Tapeta surface. The Dubawi five-year-old drew gate four at yesterday’s barrier draw.
“I’m thrilled that we drew barrier four, I’d have been delighted with anything from one to six so four is perfect,” said Gibson in reference to yesterday’s barrier draw. “Statistically it’s the best draw in the race, which I didn’t know, so we can’t be disappointed with that.”
Trainer Ricky Yiu was relaxed as he watched Amber Sky move quietly around the track at a slow pace. The G1 Al Quoz Sprint raider has drawn gate eight for the 1000m turf contest.
“Everything’s good, he’s settled really well here and if he can perform like he did in Hong Kong he will run another good race,” said Yiu, who considers Shea Shea to be the biggest threat to his stable star. “There was a slight concern about the rain on the track but I think the day before the race and on race day the track will dry up quickly. The jockey knows him well and we can’t complain about barrier eight.”
Fellow Al Quoz Sprint contender Joy And Fun again looked to be in good heart as he worked under Jeff Lai for what could be the 10-year-old’s last ever piece of pre-race trackwork.
“That was his last piece of trackwork,” said trainer Derek Cruz. “He’ll go and swim now and tomorrow we will keep things quiet.”
Trainer Tony Cruz looked on as Blazing Speed had a light canter on the Tapeta under Shell Chan ahead of the G1 Dubai Duty Free (1800m).
“I’m very happy with his condition,” said Cruz, “he’s going around with his ears up. He loves the place, loves the weather, he’s a very genuine horse. The 1800m here is ideal. I think we will probably try to ride him positively from gate nine but I’ll discuss that with Joao later.”
Rich Tapestry stretched out on the Tapeta with a solo spin under Vincent Sit at around 7.15am, and looked at home on the Tapeta as he prepares for a second course and distance win in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200m). Trainer Michael Chang is due at Meydan on Friday.