Dubai World Cup Important for Murphy's Confidence

Oisin Murphy believes his performance on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan March 25 will help set the tone for the core British flat season.

The three-time champion jockey was at the track from 5 a.m. March 22 to partner two of his big-race mounts in work as he continues his world tour having raced in Saudi Arabia last month and Australia March 18. 

Murphy feels he has to keep proving himself following his 14-month ban for COVID-19 breaches, conduct prejudicial to the sport's reputation, and two positive alcohol tests. 

He said: "Saturday will be really important for my confidence levels. If I could get a winner it would really help with the next two weeks. The Guineas trials come up fast and in my mind I'm hoping to have chances. It doesn't matter if you rode a month ago or 18 months ago like me, you have to prove yourself all the time.

"This was a nice meeting to aim towards and try to get on an accumulation of nice rides. I'm fortunate to be handed these chances and I think I'm in a good position for Saturday."

Murphy won the 2019 Japan Cup (G1T) aboard Suave Richard  and recorded breakthrough victories for the nation in the 2019 Nassau Stakes (G1) on Deirdre  and 2021 Breeders' Cup Distaff (G1) on Marche Lorraine . He will get the leg up aboard two new Japanese contenders this weekend, Perriere  in the UAE Derby (G2) and T O Keynes  in the Dubai World Cup (G1).

He said: "This is the first time I've teamed up for private owners and not ones affiliated with Northern Farm. This is different and new, but it's important for me to be on them."

T O Keynes, the shortest price of his booked rides at 14-1 odds, looked in particularly good physical condition under the floodlights.

Murphy said: "T O Keynes is a beautiful horse. He's really come in his coat, which is extraordinary for this time of year. He was a champion dirt horse in 2021 and was a little unlucky on his last start, but he did everything right this morning. He changed leads no problem and international travel isn't new for him as he ran in the 2022 Saudi Cup."

The rider believes the draw could be key to his chance aboard 20-1 shot Perriere in the UAE Derby, in which the 3-year-old will bid to reverse form with Derma Sotogake , who beat him at Kawasaki last time.

"Perriere is a very neat horse," he said. "He's a listed winner at Tokyo and ran well in a local group 1. It's a competitive race. He comes here with a good chance, and on paper draw 3 is good if I can get away. He's not very big, so it will be important not to get bustled around. Neither horse did hard work as they're fit from racing in Japan."

Murphy is also set to partner Quickthorn  in the Dubai Gold Cup (G1), Flaming Rib  in the Al Quoz Sprint (G1), and Real World  in the Dubai Turf (G1).