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| Staff Writer |
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Trainer Jerry O'Dwyer is all set to defend his Gr.1 Dubai Golden Shaheen title after having an incredible experience last year with Sibelius. On 14th March, he took the gelding for his final tune-up before departing to Meydan Racecourse.
Sibelius clocked four furlongs in :49.65 at Palm Meadows Training Center in Boynton Beach, Fla. O'Dwyer said, "He went around there in :49 or so with a nice gallop out. We got a little air into his lungs. He's fit now so the main thing was just to make sure he's looking good, moving good, and feeling right."
Sibelius' 2024 campaign is echoing his breakthrough 2023 season, as he scored repeat victories in the 23rd Dec Gr.3 Mr. Prospector Stakes at Gulfstream Park and last month's Pelican Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs as a precursor to his Dubai trip.
O'Dwyer admits he's more confident heading into this year's US$2 million Dubai Golden Shaheen. The 6YO son of Not This Time is owned by Delia Nash and Jun Park.
"We're more relaxed this year because we know he handles it all well," O'Dwyer said. "We know he travels well and can take it all in. It's a huge relief making that big of a trip."
Leading international rider Ryan Moore, victorious aboard Sibelius in the 2023 Golden Shaheen, again has the mount 30th March. Jockey Junior Alvarado has ridden Sibelius in his last two starts. "Ryan Moore is going to ride him in Dubai. He won on him last year and it's hard to make a change like that when he's available," O'Dwyer said.
"But Junior's done fabulous on him for us here. It's all just circumstantial." Sibelius is one of five U.S.-based horses slated to compete in the 1,200 meter (about six furlongs) Golden Shaheen, including the Wesley Wardtrained Nakatomi, an unlucky third to Sibelius in the Pelican, and Run Classic, an impressive winner of the Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes for trainer Jose Francisco D'Angelo
"Some of us have form that ties in with each other, some of us don't," O'Dwyer said of the U.S. runners. "But look it's going to be a very exciting race. I'm sure it's going to be fast and furious. We're going to have to be lucky with a clean break, a clean trip, and everything's got to go right. There's a lot of money on the line. We're really looking forward to it."
On March 19th, Sibelius and other contenders from the United States for the Dubai race will start their journey to the Middle East from Miami International Airport. "We aimed him back to this race from the middle of last year, this was always the target," O'Dwyer said. "I'll feel the pressure when the gates open but I'm going to be confident that I have my horse in the best condition I can have him in and there's no more I can do after that—it's all up to him and Ryan Moore."