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| Staff Writer |
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Facteur Cheval, fresh from a stellar campaign on turf, is preparing for an ambitious switch to dirt racing as trainer Jerome Reynier plots a bold Middle East campaign beginning with the Al Maktoum Challenge.
The 6YO gelding, whose biggest triumph came in capturing the Gr.1 Dubai Turf at Meydan last year, banking over US$2.6 million, is being readied for his first dirt assignment. His previous form includes notable placed efforts behind Charyn in the Gr.1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and strong showings in the Gr.1 Sussex Stakes.
Following a productive piece of work at Cagnes-sur-Mer, Reynier expressed satisfaction with his stable star's condition. "He's been very good, he's been training well and he did a piece of work at Cagnes-sur-Mer two days ago on Saturday. We're very happy with him," he said.
The French handler added: "He's going to run in the Al Maktoum Challenge on the dirt on January 24, that will be a good test to see if he can handle the dirt and we will make a plan afterwards depending on his run. It will be very interesting."
Should the surface switch prove successful, prestigious targets including the Saudi Cup and Dubai World Cup could be on the agenda. Reynier remains optimistic about the gelding's adaptability, noting: "He has run over the trip before in Dubai and it was no problem, he is getting more mature with age and he looks amazing physically."
The experienced traveller, who finished sixth in the Gr.1 Queen Anne at Royal Ascot between his placed efforts last term, is set to depart for Dubai on Friday. His trainer concluded: "He takes it all in his stride, he deals with the travelling very well."
If the dirt experiment fails to deliver, connections have not ruled out returning to turf on Super Saturday at Meydan.