Notes: In Meydan Return Dura Erede Targets World Cup

$12 million Dubai World Cup (G1)

Few horses have had a 12 months quite like Dura Erede, but there seems to be growing confidence that the four-year-old can step from out of the shadows and into the spotlight after a stellar gallop on the Meydan main track on Wednesday morning.

The son of Longines Dubai Sheema Classic runner-up Duramente is making his second appearance at Meydan, having finished second—by a distance—to Derma Sotogake in last year's UAE Derby. 

The Manabu Ikezoe-trained colt then returned to turf for the G1 Tokyo Yushun (2400m), the Japanese Derby, but unseated rider Ryusei Sakai as soon as the gates opened. With a fit horse and few options around, he was redirected to the G1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) where he bumped into the world's best horse of last season, Equinox.

After one subsequent turf run against his own age, he switched surfaces again for a pair of Group 1 thirds: in the Champions Cup (1800m) behind Lemon Pop and the Tokyo Daishoten (2000m), the only international Group 1 on the National Association of Racing (NAR) circuit, behind Saturday's rivals Ushba Tesoro and Wilson Tesoro.

While he produced a disappointing effort in the G1 February Stakes (1600m) last start, a return to a stout 2000 metres should suit and the Ikezoe stable is hopeful of a big effort.

"He was strong and moved well. He has been improving day by day since arriving here in Dubai," said Yoshimasa Terada, a stable representative. "It is not easy but we are excited with him."

Ikezoe is coming off a Group 1 win at home last weekend, taking the G1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (1200m) with grey sprinter Mad Cool.

While most of the Kazakhstan headlines have belonged to the remarkable story of Doug Watson's Kabirkhan, there is also a Kazakh link for Dura Erede as well. Rider Bauyrzhan Murzabayev began his career at the same Almaty track as Kabirkhan, rising through the ranks to the Czech Republic before success in Germany and France.

$6,000,000 Dubai Sheema Classic (G1T)

All eyes were on Japan's superstar filly Liberty Island as she took to the turf for a 1000-metre breeze three days out from the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic.

It was on this morning last year that Equinox really put his name up in lights among those who were unfamiliar with him with a blistering gallop that he then backed up with ease on Saturday. 

Those expecting the same of Liberty Island may have been left slightly disappointed as the Mitsumasa Nakauchida-trained filly worked sharply but certainly not as swiftly as her G1 Japan Cup (2400m) conqueror 12 months ago.

For raceday jockey Yuga Kawada, who sat aboard on Wednesday, and for the stable, though, everything is tracking swimmingly ahead of Saturday's $6 million feature.

"This is her first time travelling internationally and all has gone well so far," said Kawada. "It was a good gallop this morning and we are happy."

Added stable representative Yuya Katayama: "Everything went perfectly and according to plan. She switched on when Yuga Kawada rode her today. Today was just about keeping her condition, that's it—nothing more."

About a furlong ahead of her was an old rival, Stars On Earth, who finished one place behind Liberty Island in November's Japan Cup. Liberty Island and Stars On Earth are the last two winners of the G1 Yushun Himba (2400m), the Japanese Oaks.

Trainer Mizuki Takayanagi said: "We usually work her side by side back home. However, this morning, she galloped by herself under Christophe Lemaire. She reacted well, and everything has gone smoothly so far." 

Lemaire, who first partnered Stars On Earth in the 2022 Yushun Himba and whose only time riding against her since came aboard Equinox in the Japan Cup, said: "I gradually sped up in her breeze this morning. She remained calm throughout and reacted very well. Her condition is great and the ground in Dubai suits her. Stars On Earth is a very easy horse to ride and I am confident about her this weekend."

After getting an early feel for the Meydan turf on Tuesday it was back to the Tapeta training track on Wednesday for Junko, who led Gold Cup candidates Sober and Sevenna's Knight in a gentle hack.  

It is a very similar routine to that followed by Andre Fabre and his team at Sha Tin last December, ahead of Junko's victory in the G1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m), the son of Intello's second top-level success. 

"The riders were all very happy with their work on the turf yesterday, the track is in fantastic condition and the three horses all moved well," said travelling head lad Richard Lambert.

"Junko has had a preparation which mirrors what he did in the week before winning in Hong Kong so let's hope it works as well.

"His rider [Frank Panicucci] felt the work yesterday was very similar to the piece he did in Hong Kong; no better, no worse."

$5,000,000 Dubai Turf (G1T)

Yasuo Tomomichi knows plenty about this race, having saddled Vivlos to be first in 2017, before sending her back to be the runner-up in each of the next two years.

Do Deuce was an intended runner in this race last year until he was ruled out with a last-minute setback.

After the son of Heart's Cry had produced arguably the single most eyecatching workout among Wednesday's turf breezers, Tomomichi explained his rationale for dropping back to 1800 metres, rather than sticking at a mile and a half for the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic.

"I considered the Sheema Classic as well and we discussed it with Yutaka Take," he said. "The Sheema Classic tends to be a race which benefits the front-runners or those with a good position. For Do Deuce's racing style, we both agreed that the Dubai Turf is a race where horses can win from anywhere."

Joining Do Deuce on the turf was Namur, who discretely followed Sheema runners Stars On Earth and Liberty Island in a breeze over 600 metres.

"It was a good breeze and she is breathing well. Everything is good," said the stable's Yoichi Ogawa.

Galloping on the dirt was last-start G2 Nakayama Kinen (1800m) victor Matenro Sky.

"We have raced him consistently in Japan since last September. We didn't do too much this morning but he moved well," said stable representative Yosuke Nukada.

With over 100 of the world's most talented gallopers on hand, it isn't easy to stand out, but American Dubai Turf hopeful Catnip has just done that at Meydan this week.

Connections had the option of remaining at trainer Mike Stidham's base at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans to walk the strapping, nearly-black gelding out of his stall and over to the track for a Group 2 contest last weekend. They have instead opted to swing for the fences against the likes of Do Deuce, Lord North and Measured Time at Meydan.

"It's a very contentious race, and we knew that coming over," Stidham commented. "When he stepped up his game at Gulfstream (third to Warm Heart in the GI Pegasus World Cup Turf January 27), he ran a huge new top (speed figure) in that race. We had a choice of running him for $300,000 or $5 million and we decided to take a shot at the $5 million and brought him over. So far, so good."

Stidham is no stranger to the Meydan winner's enclosure, having saddled Godolphin's Mystic Guide to victory in the 2021 Dubai World Cup.

"The memory of a lifetime," Stidham recollected. "Just one of those surreal moments that you come all that way and you hope that everything goes right. The gate opened and he just put himself in the right spot and it was history from there. It was an amazing night and I'll never forget it. To do it in front of the boss was really special."

Christophe Lemaire takes the ride on the homebred half-brother to the talented turf mare Princess Grace.

Three-time race winner Lord North joined his stablemates Nashwa, Trawlerman and Emily Upjohn as they completed solo canters on the Tapeta surface at the training track in front of trainers John and Thady Gosden. 

The three-time winner of the race was of most interest as he was partnered by his big-race pilot Frankie Dettori, one of this meeting's most familiar faces in its three-decade history.

$2,000,000 Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1)

Igniter could break new ground if he manages to land the Golden Shaheen on Saturday.

Most of Japan's best horses come from the Japan Racing Association (JRA), the federal body that runs elite racing in the country. The National Association of Racing (NAR) is the secondary level, a collective of council-run tracks that operate locally.

NAR horses racing on the world stage, let alone winning, is rare. Cosmo Bulk won the G1 Singapore Airlines International Cup (2000m) in 2006 while Mandarin Hero was just denied in last year's G1 Santa Anita Derby (1800m), but it is certainly far from common.

Enter Igniter.

The sprinter is the two-time NAR horse of the year and a fan favourite in Japan. Among the large Japanese contingent, there would be a special cheer if he should take home the prize.

On Wednesday, he continued his steady build-up with a breeze on dirt under raceday jockey Tsubasa Sasagawa.

"His trainer told me not to push too hard, so I just asked him for a little bit in the stretch," he said. "He remains calm, showing no difference from how he is back in Japan. He has adapted to the environment in Dubai very quickly and it is a strength of his. Mentally, he stands out as one of the best I have ever ridden, so tough, and I would like to maximize his strength.

"The dirt track here is very fast which suits Igniter. He was the champion horse of Japan's country racing circuit last year, so I would like to get a good result with him."

Among his rivals is the hulking Don Frankie, who tips the scales at almost 600kg (1,323lb). Their sole clash came last start in the G1 February Stakes (1600m) with both unsuited at the mile, although Don Frankie did have a length on Igniter at the finish.

He breezed over 1000 metres on dirt under rider Taisei Danno.

"He was looking around because there was no other Japanese horse near him but he moved well," said Danno, with stable representative Yuta Sato adding: "We galloped him as we planned and he was breathing well. He has adapted well."

$1,500,000 Al Quoz Sprint (G1T)

Nicolas Caullery has become a firm supporter of the Carnival in Dubai in recent years and now has a big chance to put his name in lights on World Cup night thanks to King Gold, who landed the trainer's maiden Group 1 success in the Prix Maurice de Gheest (1300m) at Deauville last August. 

The entire grey son of Anodin really flourished last spring and summer at the age of six and Caullery expects him to show up better than in his two races this year.

"He was drawn inside in Saudi Arabia and we had to make more use of him than usual on ground that was fast enough, while it got quite rough down on the rail and so he arguably didn't give his running," said Caullery.

"He came straight back to Dubai and has come out of the race very well."

King Gold reached a new peak in France last year but Caullery believes it is hard to equate the horse today with how he was in the run-up to his Group 1 breakthrough.

"We started off with a much higher rating this year so we've campaigned him differently and it's hard to judge," said Caullery. "He wasn't particularly tuned-up for his first start and then we had to ride him against his nature last time. 

"He loves a straight track and Stephane Pasquier will be able to let the horse ease himself into the race. That's the best way for him to be able to finish off well, while I think he will like the fact there is so much pace in the race, with a lot of 1000-metre horses in the line-up."

Trainer Clive Cox watched his in-form sprinter Diligent Harry have another canter of the Tapeta surface on the training track.

"He seems to be bright and fresh in himself," Cox said. "He's had two very pleasing successes his last two races in the UK, in Listed races and the second time with a penalty," Cox said.

"I'm very pleased, his form looks quite competitive that he's able to come over and take his chance."

Those wins were on an all-weather surface but Cox feels he can be competitive back on grass.

"He was only just beaten at Group 3 level in the Hackwood Stakes at Newbury and has run some nice races," he said. "He just needs a consistent surface, which he gets on the all-weather. He's travelled fit and well and we just need to keep him fit and focused."

$1,000,000 UAE Derby (G2)

A quiet morning on the track for most UAE Derby hopefuls as they continued their preparations towards the 1900m contest.

However, the race changed complexion significantly mid-morning with two horses being withdrawn.

Trainer Bhupat Seemar remains in the hunt for a first UAE Derby despite the scratching of Killer Collect on Wednesday morning.

Seemar confirmed that Killer Collect had a stone bruise and would now look ahead to next year's Dubai World Cup Carnival with the colt.

The Zabeel Stables handler will still be represented by G3 UAE 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner Mendelssohn Bay and last-start 12-length victor Guns And Glory.

Also coming out of the UAE Derby on Wednesday morning was Japan's Satono Phoenix, leaving a field of 11 to contest Saturday's three-year-old feature.

$1,000,000 Dubai Gold Cup (G2T)

Roger Varian was on hand to see dual Group 1 winner Eldar Eldarov complete a couple of laps of the Tapeta at the training track in a steady canter under work rider Matthew Henry.

"He'll be on the grass here tomorrow but I'm not going to take him to the main track," Varian said. 

"I'm very happy with his condition. He had a racecourse gallop before he came here. Sometimes you can come here and have a bit more time but this is only his second day out of the barn, so I'm happy to get him settled. This is a good facility, I have always used it when I've brought horses." 

Al Nayyir ran down the field in this race 12 months ago on his final run for Doug Watson before transferring to Deauville: initially to Romain Le Dren Doleuze, and latterly to his father Georges. 

Owner Elbashir Salem Elhrari was on hand to watch his classy stayer canter around the main dirt track. 

"I'm really happy with what the horse has achieved and I hope he can now go to the next level," said Elhrari. "The ground in Riyadh was too firm for him but before that he was only just beaten in a race at the Carnival by Siskany. He seems to like the track better here and hopefully he can improve on his run in Saudi Arabia."

Christophe Soumillon once again takes the mount for veteran trainer Doleuze, with Al Nayyir set to break from stall seven.

"We are lucky to have Soumillon, who will be riding the horse for the third time and is really now getting to know him," Elhrari said. "He knows what to do to win this race and hopefully he can do it."

After their breeze on the main turf track 24 hours earlier, the Andre Fabre-trained pair, Sober and Sevenna's Knight, completed the most gentle of canters around the Tapeta training track behind stablemate Junko. 

Fabre's travelling head lad Richard Lambert said: "Sober and Sevenna's Knight have both been moving well this week and have recovered from their breeze yesterday. 

"They will just be kept ticking over between now and race day."

$1,000,000 Godolphin Mile (G2)

Simon and Ed Crisford's Swing Vote has had plenty of time to settle in as he has been in action in the UAE since December 30.

"He had a quiet day today as he galloped yesterday," co-trainer Ed Crisford said. "He'll be back on the track tomorrow. We've been really pleased with him since he ran on Super Saturday. He got experience under his belt running at Meydan and it should bring him on."

Swing Vote was fifth in the G3 Burj Nahaar (1600m), having won all of his previous three starts at Jebel Ali.

"It was just the way it worked out," Ed Crisford said. "He won a couple of times there and we just thought the Jebel Ali Mile was something we could aim him at. We always knew he'd end up back at Meydan but they go pretty quick at Jebel Ali and it got him running on the dirt. We did a similar thing with Algiers and hopefully he's a horse that will continue to improve.

"He's got a good draw in five in what will be a hot renewal. Isolate is last year's winner and Saudi Crown leads the American challenge and will probably be the one to beat."