Dubai Turf Could Launch Special Year for Almond Eye

Japan has enjoyed its share of success in Dubai but this year takes on special importance as Almond Eye begins her 4-year-old season in the $6 million Dubai Turf Sponsored by DP World (G1).

The March 30 race at Meydan is a start to what is expected to be another Japanese assault on the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe—a goal that has frustratingly eluded Japan racing for decades.

The question is: Has Almond Eye progressed from a 3-year-old campaign that culminated in a record-smashing victory over older males in the Japan Cup in late November? The undefeated filly's connections, and even her opponents, seem to feel she has.

"She's a very special filly," said jockey William Buick, who finished ninth behind Almond Eye in the Japan Cup on Satono Crown and will try to beat her in the Dubai Turf on Godolphin hope Wootton. "In many ways, she's the star attraction of the night. She's fast. She stays."

Wootton's trainer, Charlie Appleby, was asked how he plans to beat Almond Eye. His only answer: "Start before her?"

At a pre-race news conference, Almond Eye's trainer, Sakae Kunieda, was asked if he expects his filly to win. His short answer: "Yes."

"We don't yet know her limits," said regular rider Christophe Lemaire. "She can become unique in the horse racing story."

Almond Eye is by Lord Kanaloa, a champion sprinter, former Japan Horse of the Year, and six-time grade 1/group 1 winner, out of the Sunday Silence mare Fusaichi Pandora. She was bred by Northern Racing and campaigns in the silks of Silk Racing Co. Ltd.

After splitting her two juvenile starts, she won at first asking in January 2018, then whipped through the Japanese fillies Triple Crown—all grade 1 events—without encountering much competition. She was a heavy favorite in the Japan Cup despite the presence of accomplished older males, including 2017 winner Cheval Grand and won in a virtual romp, in course-record time of 2:20.6.

"She won against older horses and in record time," Lemaire said. "After the winning post, she was not exhausted."

Almond Eye has not raced since that Nov. 25 triumph but Lemaire said after working her on the Meydan Racecourse turf, "It went very well—as usual. She felt very good on that track."

Her connections have not set an easy task for Almond Eye in the Dubai Turf. The field includes fellow Japanese runners Vivlos and Deirdre, who were second and third last year behind Benbatl. In addition to Wootton, Godolphin fields Dream Castle, 3-for-3 on the Dubai season. Dream Castle's trainer Saeed bin Suroor has watched race replays of Almond Eye.

"She's a special filly, I have nothing but respect for her," bin Suroor said.

A good start to Almond Eye's 4-year-old campaign Saturday against that quality field would re-ignite the flame of Japanese hopes for the Arc—a goal that has come tantalizingly close to realization but has not yet been achieved.

The quest started in 1969 with Speed Symboli finishing 11th. Sporadic attempts in subsequent years did not produce any better results until 1999, when the previous autumn's Japan Cup winner, El Condor Pasa, lost a stretch battle to Montjeu.

A series of agonizing defeats followed as Japanese superstars like Deep Impact and Orfevre tried and failed to conquer the French setpiece.

Should Almond Eye rise to the occasion in Dubai and carry on through the summer, it would set the stage for a monumental confrontation in Paris. While the race is months away, it has great potential as another superstar filly, Enable, is expected to seek her third consecutive Arc victory Oct. 6 at ParisLongchamp.

Kunieda has mentioned the possibility that Almond Eye could race at York in the north of England during the summer. That could, in theory, pit her against Enable before a French showdown. But he said clearly, "The Arc will be the target."

Earlier in the week, bantering with the media during morning trackwork, Kunieda went even further when asked his aspirations for Almond Eye.

"I would like to see her win the Arc," he said. After pausing, he added, "Twice."