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William Buick and Christophe Lemaire were among the star names putting their Dubai World Cup night mounts through their final preparations at Meydan on Thursday morning.
Godolphin's number one rider Buick was mobbed by the international press after partnering his big-race ride Rattle N Roll on Meydan's dirt surface, with both the jockey and American trainer Kenny McPeek delighted with his enthusiastic workout.
"He felt good," Buick said. "Kenny was keen for me to sit on him and Danny, who rides him every morning says he's been taking him on a bit. He's fresh and he felt very comfortable on the track."
Rattle N Roll was an eyecatching fourth in the Saudi Cup last time and Buick is hopeful more forceful tactics can see him close the gap on the winner Forever Young and runner-up Ushba Tesoro, who won the Dubai World Cup in 2023.
"I think the extra furlong in the Dubai World Cup will suit him and he's got a good draw in two, so hopefully he'll be able to position himself just in behind the speed. That's going to be a big help to him."
Calandagan ended last year as joint-fifth highest-rated in the end-of-year Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings, just 3lb behind world champions Laurel River and City Of Troy.
The Aga Khan's homebred son of Gleneagles owed his lofty position to running two huge performances in defeat to City of Troy and Annmat, both over 2000m.
Now trainer Francis Graffard has elected to step Calandagan back up to the 2410m of the Sheema Classic, the same trip as when roaring away to a six-length success at Royal Ascot last June.
"He did surprise me, and I think he surprised a lot of people that day," Graffard told a media conference at Meydan. "He slept at the back of the field and quickened very strongly before keeping going."
Buick has formed a unique relationship with Rebel's Romance and the 7YO will go in search of history on Saturday when he bids to become the first back-to-back winner of the Dubai Sheema Classic.
"He's the defending champion and he's had a very similar prep this year winning the race in Qatar," the rider said. "His CV is remarkable. I don't think people quite realise how hard it is to travel a horse and compete in those races at that level."
Trainer Owen Burrows and owner Ahmad Al Shaikh of Green Team Racing feel an improved performance can be expected from Deira Mile after his reappearance in Saudi Arabia last month.
The 2024 Yushun Himba (Japanese Oaks) winner Cervinia brings different formlines to the race and is the biggest of five interesting rides for multiple champion jockey Lemaire.
Lemaire watched both Cervinia and Dubai Turf contender Brede Weg breeze on turf from his vantage point in the grandstands on Wednesday and was extremely positive about the latter's chances.
"I also saw her work yesterday and she is a very talented filly," said Lemaire. "I think the mile was a bit short for her [last time] so the extra 200 metres will suit her. She's got a very good turn of foot and it will be her second race of the year."
Buick believes Nations Pride continues to be underestimated as the 6YO chases a fifth Group One win in the Dubai Turf. A winner at the highest level in Germany (twice), America and Canada, Nations Pride will have to take on Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior in Saturday's contest.
Eight-time UAE champion trainer Doug Watson is hoping the ever-reliable Colour Up can upset his odds in a red-hot running of the Dubai Golden Shaheen. The 7YO's sole below-par run came in the contest last year but he has been remarkably consistent otherwise, with a wind operation proving the catalyst to three consecutive runner-up efforts to Tuz this season.
"That's a very tough race with Tuz and Straight No Chaser in there," Watson said. "He had a little breathing issue, so they did some surgery, and it seems to have worked well."
Connections of two of Japan's leading chances in the race had contrasting opinions about how they had fared in Wednesday's barrier draw.
Remake will break from stall eight of 12, with stable representative Masafuni Matsuda observing: "His draw is between American Stage and Straight No Chaser. It is a very good draw. I will leave it to Frankie [Dettori]."
Though housed next door, Yoshito Yahagi was less enamoured of stall seven for American Stage: "An inside draw would have been ideal, but this is not too bad."
US$1,500,000 Gr.1 Al Quoz Sprint: Audience To Make Overseas Debut For Gosdens
Last year's Gr.1 winner of the Lockinge Stakes and the Gr.2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood, Audience heads for the 1200m of the Al Quoz Sprint.
"It's Audience's first time abroad but he's taken it all in," joint-trainer Thady Gosden said. "He won the Lockinge over a mile [1600m] last year, and seven furlongs [1400m] at Goodwood and he's always had a great deal of speed."
The best could yet to come for Believing according to Buick, who has received the last-minute call-up to ride the mare in Saturday's Al Quoz Sprint.
"I spoke to George Boughey [trainer] about her, and he seems very happy with her. She's been knocking on the door in Group Ones now and she probably deserves to win one," he said at trackwork on Thursday.
US$1,000,000 Gr.2 UAE Derby: Lemaire Banking On Previous Form Line With Derby Hopeful
Lemaire is hopeful a previous meeting with Luxor Cafe is a more reliable guide to the chances of Japan's Admire Daytona than their most recent encounter in the Gr.3 Hyacinth Stakes.
"He has very good form because if you go back two starts, the horse that beat him is probably the best 3YO on Dirt in Japan, and maybe a contender for the Kentucky Derby. We were only beaten a nose and broke the record time for the track," said Lemaire.
US$1,000,000 Gr.2 Dubai Gold Cup: Gosdens Seek Further Staying Success With Trawlerman
Trawlerman casts his net for a third time at the Dubai Gold Cup in an attempt to build on a stellar career.
The John and Thady Gosden stable saddled Trawlerman to finish a solid third 12 months ago before he ran excellent races behind the divisional champion Kyprios in the Gold Cup and at Champions Day at Ascot.
The dual Group Two winner Straight came within a neck of defeating the Dubai Sheema Classic-bound Rebel's Romance in the Preis von Europa in September and caught the eye when a running-on third to Shin Emperor in the Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia.
US$1,000,000 Gr.1 Dubai Kahayla Classic: Tilal Al Khalediah Primed For Title Defence
Saudi Arabian trainer Naser Mutlaq has been at the Meydan dirt track as early as 4am this week to oversee preparations of his defending Kahayla Classic winner Tilal Al Khalediah.
While his stablemate Asfan Al Khalediah was scratched from the race on Thursday, Tilal Al Khalediah is reported to be in excellent form ahead of his title defence.
"Tilal is doing great and he's coming back to Dubai and hopefully we can take the Kahalya Classic again," said Mutlaq.