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| Staff Writer |
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Audience, last year's Lockinge Stakes winner, is set to kick off his 2025 campaign in the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night, with connections confident he possesses the necessary pace for the six-furlong test.
The 6YO, trained by John and Thady Gosden, will be venturing beyond British shores for the first time when lining up in the Gr.1 Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan on April 5. The US$1.5 million contest is also expected to feature fellow Newmarket raiders Believing and West Acre.
Robert Havlin, who has partnered Audience in all but two of his 17 career outings, retains the ride having recently put the horse through his paces on Newmarket's Al Bahathri Polytrack gallop.
The son of Iffraaj enjoyed his most successful season to date in 2024, complementing his front-running Lockinge triumph over subsequent champion miler Charyn with victory in the Gr.2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood. His disappointing 12th-place finish in the Gr.1 British Champions Sprint at Ascot in October likely resulted from unsuitable soft ground conditions.
"It is nice that Audience has been invited for the Al Quoz Sprint. He goes well fresh, as he showed when winning the Lockinge last year, and he displayed plenty of natural speed when winning the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood over seven [furlongs]," said Gosden.
"Dropping back in trip should not be a problem, especially at Meydan where it's a very even six [furlongs]. He's been training well on the Al Bahathri and he is very much on target. It's his first overseas trip, but hopefully he'll handle it well as he's an older horse now and more sensible."
Joining Audience in the Dubai sprint will be the George Boughey-trained Believing, making her debut in the Coolmore silks after changing hands for US$3.9 million at the Tattersalls December Sale, having previously raced for Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.
The 5YO mare comes into the race fit from a recent racecourse gallop at Chelmsford and will be having her first start since finishing third in the Gr.1 Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp in October over five furlongs.