Ramzan Kadyrov plunders two horses for World Cup night
The late swoops by the Chechen leader have become stuff of legend, and he did not disappoint when Godolphin Mile favourite North America and UAE Derby hopeful Cosmo Charlie were bought for the big night.
Kadyrov has had little success in Dubai, saddling 47 runners in the past five years with just one winner. His last runner was Candy Boy, who was pulled up in a non-Carnival race in December.
North America was bought for an estimated US$1.5million (Dh5.5m), small change if the four-time winner can progress next season to become a Dubai World Cup candidate.
The first race of the night offers $US600,000 to the winner.
“I see his point in buying ready-made horses,” North America’s trainer Satish Seemar said. “I want North America to win for him very much. He has invested a lot of money.”
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More on the Dubai World Cup
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■ 'It is a good surface': Dubai Racing Club defend Meydan dirt
■ Chad Summers: New trainer's dreams still in reach
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Real Steel back for more in 12 months
Yoshito Yahagi was crestfallen at morning trackwork on Wednesday when he dutifully elaborated on the condition that forced the withdrawal of Real Steel from a defence of his Dubai Turf crown.
“There was only blood found in his nasal passages, not his lungs, so it doesn’t seem that serious, but we have to think about what is best for the horse,” he said.
“I am very disappointed, but we will make fall plans for him and hopefully be back next year for the 2018 Dubai Turf.”
John Gosden at the ready for Jack Hobbs gallop
There has been an influx of trainers arriving in time to see the finishing touches applied to their horses, and more will have arrived overnight.
A curious John Gosden arrived at Meydan at 5.30am on Wednesday, having touched down just an hour and half previously. With Bob Baffert electing to restrict Arrogate to the international stables, the British trainer, like so many others, missed out.
The Newmarket trainer was later spotted at the training track to oversee Jack Hobbs’s work, and welcomed the forecast rain.
“He needs to improve – it is a small, but elite field,” Gosden said. “I hope he can improve. He got injured in his first race last May and never got back until the Champion Stakes but ran a blinder to run third to the best three year old in Europe in Almanzor, and the Arc winner Found.
“This is his trip. He seems in good order right now but we are perfectly aware we are third or fourth favourite. He likes a bit of cut, too, but the rain goes through this track fast as it is sand based.”
Aidan O’Brien’s team fit and ready
Aidan O’Brien’s team of nine arrived in Dubai on Tuesday and were restricted by the compulsory 48-hour quarantine on Wednesday. The Ballydoyle handler has dispatched his largest ever team, and they were primed to break out on Thursday, according to travelling groom Pat Keating.
“They all shipped in well and we’re very happy with them,” he said.
“All their work has been done at home, and they have just trotted round the quarantine yard so far.”
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