 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
Forever Young and Shin Emperor are set to spearhead what their trainer believes could be "the greatest team in the world" at Meydan on Saturday night.
Yoshito Yahagi has his two stable stars primed for their respective targets, with Forever Young the overwhelming favourite for the US$12 million Gr.1 Dubai World Cup, while Shin Emperor tackles the US$6 million Gr.1 Dubai Sheema Classic.
Yahagi is convinced Forever Young has improved since his epic battle with Romantic Warrior in Riyadh last month.
"Of course, he had a tough race, and he was a little fatigued for a few days," said Yahagi. "My staff really did a great job in aiding his recovery and from then the plan was always to come here and compete in the Dubai World Cup.
"I think the extra 200 metres will be an advantage for him and also going for four turns will benefit him.
"I've been asked a lot about how he has come out of the race and his overall condition, and some people have been concerned. But I actually think that having experienced that tough race, he has improved to another level. I think it's all positive, I don't see any negatives."
Ryusei Sakai, the rising star jockey partnering both horses, is determined to make amends after several agonising near-misses in 2023.
Forever Young finished a narrow third in both the Gr.1 Kentucky Derby and the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Classic during his three-year-old campaign, while Shin Emperor was third in the Gr.1 Irish Champion Stakes and went down by just a neck when dead-heating for second with Do Deuce in the Gr.1 Japan Cup.
"It's a mixed feeling as obviously there is pressure. But personally, I really appreciate the opportunity given to me to ride top-class horses, not only in Japan but also on the world stage," Sakai told a packed media conference.
"Last year we were unable to win a Group One overseas with these two horses but this year we're coming back to win as many races as possible with them, and perhaps every race."
Shin Emperor, who is yet to win at Group level, took a significant step forward when landing the Neom Turf Cup on the Saudi Cup undercard last month.
"Shin Emperor really enjoys the environment here in Dubai," said Yahagi. "Maybe he's even a little bit too relaxed so that's why we asked him for a little bit more yesterday [Tuesday] when we breezed him. We wanted him to be really ready for the race.
"I haven't seen much improvement in him from last time out but he maintains a high level of form to be competitive in the Sheema Classic."
The French-bred son of Siyouni could target the Gr.1 International Stakes at York this summer before a potential second attempt at the Gr.1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Meanwhile, Yahagi revealed that discussions have taken place with owner Susumu Fujita about keeping Forever Young in training at five, with a return to the Breeders' Cup Classic and potentially a major turf prize on the agenda before retirement.
Yahagi, who playfully referred to his jockey as "my apprentice", emphasised the Dubai World Cup's significance to Japanese racing fans.
"The Dubai World Cup is a race that in Japan we always want to win," said Yahagi. "In 2011, straight after a devastating earthquake in Japan, Victoire Pisa won it and Transcend finished second. That was meaningful for the people; they were encouraged by that and this race, which has a prestigious history, has become more and more popular."
If Forever Young delivers on Saturday, that affection for the Dubai World Cup will only grow stronger among Japanese racing enthusiasts.