Chrome Shines Bright in World Cup Prep While Safety Check Claims Zabeel Mile in Photo
Chrome Shines Bright in World Cup Prep While Safety Check Claims Zabeel Mile in Photo
Godolphin’s Safety Check survived a photo finish to become the first horse to win the Group 2 Zabeel Mile twice at Meydan Racecourse on Thursday, while US star, California Chrome cruised to facile victory in his Dubai World Cup prep.
The eighth meeting of the 2016 Dubai World Cup Carnival, sponsored by the Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group, proved a cracker. Dubai World Cup clues were much in evidence with Godolphin’s US raider, Marking throwing down the Dubai Golden Shaheen gauntlet with an impressive performance in his 1200m dirt prep while Doug Watson’s One Man band claimed a fourth victory of the season and looks set for a spot in the Godolphin Mile.
The Charlie Appleby-trained Safety Check made Dubai World Cup Carnival history in the featured Group 2 Zabeel Mile under William Buick, winning out in a photo finish over the Ali Rashid Al Raihe-trained Ghaamer.
Settled in midfield by Buick Safety Check always looked to be travelling well and was asked to close early in the straight.
With 300m to run, Zahee went to the front, passing long-time leader Ghaamer with Safety Check and Harry’s Son, runner-up in the Al Fahidi Fort, the only pair emerging from the pack.
Ultra game, Ghaamer thrust his head back in front 50m from home, only to be headed right on the line by Safety Check.
“He just goes so well here and loves to please so always tries hard,” said Appleby. “The 1600m is as far as he wants to go but this lovely flat, turning track and fast ground are what he wants.
“Dirt and the Godolphin Mile were considered but he deserves a crack at Group 1 company so will go for the Hong Kong Mile next.”
Buick claimed a winning treble on the night, also steering the Kiaran McLaughlin-trained Marking to his victory and was aboard Dubai debutant, Baccarat, who gave Appleby a double, in the closing Al Naboodah Civil Division Trophy.
But all eyes were on the Art Sherman-trained California Chrome in the Trans Gulf Electromechanical Trophy. Giving weight to all his rivals, the 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner recorded a text-book prep effort under Victor Espinoza.
Racing three wide California Chrome was always going well. Korean representative, Success Story made the running under Tadhg O’Shea but Espinoza was sat motionless until the runners entered the straight.
Even then the jockey hardly moved, squeezing California Chrome to challenge and pass Success Story and Hunting Ground.
It was left to Storm Belt under Sam Hitchcott to chase him home.
“That was the perfect prep for the Dubai World Cup,” said Espinoza. “He has again showed the track and surface suit him.
“Hopefully he will be hard to beat in the big race.”
Sherman added: “That was great; it was his second run after a long break so he will improve from it.
“We decided the best way to win a Dubai World Cup was to come early and have a prep at Meydan and this race was ideal as we now have four weeks before the big one.”
Only six went to post for the opening Al Naboodah National Contracting Abu Dhabi Trophy over 1400m of the dirt and only one horse was involved for the majority of the race.
Trained by Doug Watson, One Man Band was giving weight to his five rivals but, once able to get to the front after about 200m, was never headed.
With Pat Dobbs suspended, Hitchcott rode the winner.
It was a first victory at this trip and he has now won over 1400m, 1600m and 1900m. His one defeat this season was arguably his best performance when runner-up in the Group 3 Firebreak Stakes.
“That was perfect as his prep for the Godolphin Mile in 30 days,” said Watson. “He was a bit slow into his stride but he has plenty of natural speed and Sam did not panic so they were able to get to the front.
“He is a nice horse and one we have always liked.”
This week’s non-Carnival race was the 2000m Al Naboodah HSE dirt handicap and for the majority of the race it appeared Watson and Hitchcott would register a quick double.
Hitchcott tried to make all on Active Spirit, but had no answer to the challenge of Mickael Barzalona and Brabbham.
Saddled by Ahmad bin Harmash, it was a third consecutive victory for this progressive individual.
Watson did complete a double though, this time with Dane O’Neill in the saddle for owner, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, aboard local debutant Basateen.
California Chrome lands the Trans Gulf Electromechanical Trophy ahead of his Dubai World Cup tilt on Saturday March 26.
Safety Check (far left) becomes the first horse to claim the Group 2 Zabeel Mile twice
Credit: Andrew Watkins
Another Shining Victory for California Chrome
- By Frank Angst, fonte: Bloodhorse.com
- February 25, 2016 1:12 PM
California Chrome appears to be going into the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (UAE-I) in top form after cruising to an easy two-length victory in a $143,000 handicap Feb. 25 at Meydan Racecourse in the United Arab Emirates.
With Victor Espinoza sitting chilly, California Chrome tracked two- or three-wide in the far turn just behind early leader Success Story, a Korean-bred who has not placed in a stakes. When asked just a bit in early stretch, the 2014 Horse of the Year quickly opened up on the over-matched field and waltzed to the wire.
The winning effort marks a second straight score for California Chrome, who opened his 5-year-old season for trainer Art Sherman with a clear victory the San Pasqual Stakes (gr. II) Jan. 9 at Santa Anita Park.
Now campaigned by “California Chrome Inc.”, which includes Perry and Denise Martin, Taylor Made, and several prominent breeders, California Chrome is being pointed to the Dubai World Cup March 26 at Meydan, where the two-time classic winner finished second last year. Thursday’s stakes race was contested at the World Cup distance of about 1 1/4 miles and California Chrome completed the race in 2:04.24 on a fast track.
On the race broadcast Sherman called it a perfect race and said it was great to get a 1 1/4-mile test under his belt ahead of the Dubai World Cup. Espinoza said the win was as easy as it looked.
“That was great; it was his second run after a long break so he will improve from it,” Sherman said. “We decided the best way to win a Dubai World Cup was to come early and have a prep at Meydan and this race was ideal as we now have four weeks before the big one.”
California Chrome is the second U.S.-trained older horse being pointed to the Dubai World Cup to register an easy win in Meydan in recent weeks as Godolphin Racing’s Frosted won the Al Maktoum Challenge Round Two Sponsored by EGA on Feb. 4 for trainer Kiaran McLaughlin.
While the finish certainly was easy, Espinoza had to change plans early. After breaking well, California Chrome was backed off the early pace then soon found himself behind horses. But Espinoza was able to find a tracking position in the backstretch through 800 meters in :51. Despite carrying about 132 pounds, 15 more than any of his seven rivals, California Chrome quickly opened up in early stretch and was not challenged late.
“That was the perfect prep for the Dubai World Cup,” Espinoza said. “He has again showed the track and surface suit him. Hopefully he will be hard to beat in the big race.”
The overwhelming favorite in North American pari-mutuel pools, California Chrome returned $2.10 to win and $2.10 to place/show. Storm Belt, a 7-year-old stakes-placed son of More Than Ready , returned $33.20 to place/show and Success Story paid $26.20 to place/show.
Tags
- California Chrome, Frosted, Storm Belt, Trans Gulf Electromechanical Trophy Handicap
- Dubai World Cup, Victor Espinoza, Meydan, Art Sherman, Success Story
California Chrome cruises to victory at Meydan
Chrome cut for World Cup after warm-up win
CALIFORNIA CHROME hardened as favourite for the $10 million Dubai World Cup after polishing off his preparations with a smooth victory in a 1m2f dirt handicap at Meydan on Thursday.
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Second in the world’s richest race last year, the 2014 Kentucky Derby winner will aim to replicate the achievement of Curlin, who used this race as a stepping stone to World Cup glory eight years ago.
Even against inferior opposition, the bookmakers were suitably impressed by the manner of the performance with Betfred cutting California Chrome’s odds to 5-2 (from 7-2) for the March 26 extravaganza.
Paddy Power went even shorter at 2-1 (from 11-4), although 3-1 was still available with Ladbrokes and Coral. Fellow US star Frosted, trained for Godolphin by Kiaran McLaughlin, is general second favourite at 4-1.
Settled in third as Success Story and Hunting Ground set the pace,California Chrome found his rhythm as jockey Victor Espinoza decided against jostling for the lead.
‘Easy as it looked’
He tracked the front two three deep turning in and was soon in front as his rivals began to tire. It was then a case of how far but mindful of next month’s big date, Espinoza just kept California Chrome up to the task to lead home the staying-on Storm Belt by two lengths.
“I didn’t want to overdo it as there’s a short period of time to the next race but it was as easy as it looked,” the rider said.
“When he feels good he comes out of the gate like a rocket and he went nice and comfortable there.”
Winning trainer Art Sherman added: “I feel really satisfied for the $10 million race as he’s got a mile and a quarter under his belt.
“If we can get lucky he could wind up being the richest thoroughbred ever, passing Curlin, who is a great thoroughbred. It would be an honour for that to happen.”
Hong Kong for Safety Check
Earlier on the card, Safety Check booked a trip to Hong Kong for the Group 1 Champions Mile at Sha Tin after notching back-to-back wins in the Group 2 Zabeel Mile for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin.
“I think we will go to Hong Kong now and aim for the Champions Mile in May,” the trainer said. “He will have a nice break in Dubai and hopefully head out there. He deserves a crack at a Group 1 race now.”
fonte : RacingPost
MEYDAN (UAE) RESULTS |
GOING: DIRT: FAST; TURF: GOOD.
3:00 - Al Naboodah National Contracting Abu Dhabi Trophy (Handicap) (Dirt)7f, £48,979.59 1 One Man Band 4/7F 6 ran Distances: 6l, ½l, 1½l Jockey: Sam Hitchcott CSF:19.87 |
3:35 - Al Naboodah HSE Trophy (Handicap) (Dirt)1m2f, £24,489.80 1 Brabbham 100/30 8 ran Distances: 1¾l, hd, 5¾l Jockey: Mickael Barzalona CSF: 9.50 TRICAST: 20.46 |
4:10 - Al Naboodah National Plant Trophy (Handicap) (Dirt)6f, £44,897.96 1 Marking 2/5F 10 ran Distances: 2l, 3½l, 2¼l Jockey: William Buick CSF: 4.95 TRICAST: 28.87 |
4:45 - Zabeel Mile Sponsored By Al Naboodah Construction Group (Group 2) (Turf)1m, £102,040.82 1 Safety Check 5/6F 10 ran Distances: shd, 1l, 1¼l Jockey: William Buick CSF: 35.64 |
5:20 - Al Naboodah Commercial Division Trophy (Handicap) (Turf)1m2f, £48,979.59 1 Basateen 10/1 NR: Elleval (IRE) 7 ran Distances: 4¼l, 1¾l, 3¼l Jockey: Dane O’Neill CSF: 23.26 TRICAST: 66.84 |
5:55 - Trans Gulf Electromechanical Trophy (Handicap) (Dirt)1m2f, £61,224.49 1 California Chrome 1/3F 8 ran Distances: 2l, 2¼l, nk Jockey: Victor Espinoza CSF: 10.36 TRICAST: 34.25 |
6:30 - Al Naboodah Civils Division Trophy (Handicap) (Turf)6f, £71,428.57 1 Baccarat 7/1 11 ran Distances: 1¾l, 1l, 4¼l Jockey: William Buick CSF: 19.76 TRICAST: 90.69. PLACEPOT: £2.90 to a £1 stake. Pool: £5929.10 – 1458.70 winning tickets. QUADPOT: £2.30 to a £1 stake. Pool: £376.90 – 116.70 winning tickets |
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