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| Staff Writer |
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Saeed bin Suroor is targeting a Group One contest in France with Dubai Future, who claimed victory on World Cup night at Meydan.
The Godolphin trainer was working horses on the Limekilns in chilly 3C temperatures on Tuesday morning, having witnessed his rejuvenated stayer triumph in the Gr.2 Dubai Gold Cup last Saturday when thermometers were pushing 40C in the UAE.
Dubai Future has proved a revelation for Bin Suroor at the Dubai Carnival this year, making a successful reappearance after a 427-day layoff to land the Gr.3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy in February, a race in which he finished second five years ago.
The 9YO was stepped up to 2m for the first time in the Dubai Gold Cup and scored by two and a quarter lengths under Silvestre de Sousa.
"Saturday was a great night at Meydan and I told Silvestre to sit last on Dubai Future as the two-mile trip was new for him. He rode him exactly as he did when he rode him in the Nad Al Sheba Trophy and it worked out perfectly. Although he's nine, he still has a good turn of foot and he used that in the straight," said Bin Suroor.
Following his Meydan success, Bin Suroor is now plotting a trip to France for his newfound staying star before considering Royal Ascot options.
"The Gr.1 Vicomtesse Vigier at Longchamp [May 25] is an option which may suit him before we think about Royal Ascot," he revealed.
Bin Suroor has won the French race, which is over 1m7½f, three times with Kayf Tara (1999), Wareed (2002) and Kite Wood (2010).
The trainer is no stranger to success with older horses reaching the pinnacle of their careers in Dubai.
"Dubai Future winning at nine is nothing new as we have done it before with African Story and Prince Bishop. They won Dubai World Cups aged seven and eight so it has been done before," added Bin Suroor.