DUBAI // The finishing touches have been added and now America waits. Art Sherman was at Meydan Racecourse on Tuesday morning to witness the electroplating being applied to California Chrome as America’s horse of the year drilled down the Meydan stretch in his final piece of work ahead of Saturday’s Dubai World Cup.
The trainer arrived in Dubai on Monday night alongside owner Steve Coburn, who also watched the work.
California Chrome confirmed his well-being with a solid gallop over 800 metres that he completed in just over 50 seconds.
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Regular work rider Willie Delgado was replaced in the saddle by Dana Barnes, an exercise rider for Bill Mott, who increased the tempo throughout each 200-metre split. The final 200 metres was covered in just over 11 seconds.
For Sherman, it was a perfect preparation.
“I don’t like to make excuses,” the 78-year-old trainer said. “He looked good. He galloped good and I think he has what it takes to be in a race like this. I wouldn’t want to be in anybody else’s shoes.”
All eyes will be on the post-position draw this afternoon at Meydan, where the five Group 1 races will be provided with starting gate numbers.
The draw will be crucial to the prospects of African Story defending his crown.
Saeed bin Suroor’s charge displayed that he could win on dirt when he won the concluding round of the Al Maktoum Challenge on Super Saturday this month from stablemate Prince Bishop. That day he was ridden prominently from the inside gate by James Doyle, whereas on his seasonal debut last month he was beaten out of sight when drawn in Gate 4. He received copious amounts of kickback, which compromised his chances and a wide draw could put to an end hopes of becoming the first horse to put together consecutive wins in the $US10 million (Dh36.7m) contest.
“Both African Story and Prince Bishop worked on Saturday and are happy and in good condition,” Bin Suroor said.
“It will be very tough racing against California Chrome, though our horses have been doing very well.
“They have been getting used to the dirt this year, but they don’t like the kickback and need to be prominent in the race.
“Prince Bishop has to start better; he came from last to second in the final round of the Al Maktoum Challenge. African Story was victorious in last year’s Dubai World Cup and is now back in peak form.”
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