Mike de Kock already has the hot favourite for the Dubai Turf on World Cup night next month, in Vercingetorix, but he may have a useful second in Umgiyo, who puts his credentials on the line in tonight’s Dubai Millennium Stakes at Meydan Racecourse over 2,000 metres.
With 400 metres left to run of an ordinary handicap over 1,800m last month, Umgiyo was last under Christophe Soumillon. The Belgian rider switched his mount to the outside of the field and the pair powered down the centre of the course to beat their nine rivals with ease.
Although the depth of the field Umgiyo beat on his Dubai debut was hardly inspiring, it was the manner that was so impressive.
It was the first run for Umgiyo for 10 months, having last run when seventh in the Grade 1 SA Classic at Turffontein in South Africa.
The four-year-old son of Danehill Dancer, the dual Group 1 winner, has been training well for De Kock ahead of tonight’s race and is in the sort of form that will reveal whether he can be the support act to his more illustrious stablemate on March 28.
“This is a good test for Umgiyo and we’ll see how good he is,” De Kock said. “He goes over this trip for the first time and into a really competitive field, but the manner of his win here in January was promising and his pedigree suggests he’ll see it out. I don’t think he’ll be found lacking when it matters.”
Soumillon has conceded since that he felt in the straight that he would finish fourth when Umgiyo started his late charge. The manner of the four-year-old gelding’s win, though, left him with the opinion that Umgiyo is a Group 1 winner in waiting.
He will need to be if he is to dispatch Godolphin’s rejuvenated Hunter’s Light in the $US200,000 (Dh734,000) turf event.
Hunter’s Light overcame a spell in the doldrums three weeks ago when he broke from the widest stall in a 2,000m turf handicap to record his first win in almost two years. No horse ran further than Saeed bin Suroor’s nine year old and, according to ratings, it was close to a career best.
Hunter’s Light is a dual Group 1 winner and was regarded as the most likely winner of the Dubai World Cup in 2013 when he finished down the field behind Animal Kingdom. Back to his best, James Doyle’s ride will be tough to beat.
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