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Breakup (JPN) - "He had an easy canter on the dirt track this morning. He was relaxing and I could communicate with him and understood how good he was feeling" the assistant trainer Koki Hachiya said.
Iron Barows (JPN) - The 7-year-old offspring of Orfevre was taken to the trotting ring for a warm-up and later on had a leisurely canter around the dirt track. After this, the horse was trained at the parade ring with the help of a pony.
“He was shying with some cars and crews when he cantered in the backstretch, so I pushed him little bit when I passed in front of them, which switched him on and make him keen to move. He is more flexible today. Once he went to the parade ring, he walked nicely with the pony," the assistant trainer Shoritsu Kurono said.
Pin Your Hopes (IRE) - "He is training well," owner Sultan Almindeel said.
"He finished ninth in this race a year ago but he would have been closer but for finding traffic at the furlong. We hope he can get a share of the prize-money this time."
Bolthole (IRE) - "We were thinking of running him in the Saudi International Handicap but he would have had top weight and we already have two horses in that," trainer Alban de Mieulle said.
"The distance here is perfect for him and while he has been running well in good races in Qatar this is a level higher. He has just been out on the track, he galloped well so I am pleased with his condition."
Jack Darcy (IRE) - "All good," co-trainer Thady Gosden said. "He did some nice exercise on the dirt and so far his prep has gone as we would have hoped."
Spirit Dancer (GB) - "He needed the run in Dubai last month and he has been training well since then," trainer Richard Fahey said. "He did a very nice piece of work there last week. We’ll have no excuses for him in terms of his preparation."
The Foxes (IRE) - "He’s got here in great form," training representative Anna Lisa Balding said.
"I was very pleased with how he looked out there this morning. Last year we took him to America and he finished second in a Grade 1 so we felt he would be up to the travel again. We’re delighted with his position in gate six and Oisin Murphy is back on and he rides him so well. He needed the run last time at Southwell but it was a good effort and he will come on for it."
Studley (JPN) - Was hand-walked around the quarantine stable
"I am happy that he is in good form at the moment," the assistant trainer Hideyoshi Ichihara said.
Honey Proof (USA) - "He is very well, looks in great condition," trainer Rhonda Tuley said.
"He likes the track and is handling the change in environment without any trouble."
Vica Grine (FR) - Trainer Elisabeth Bernard admits that it will be difficult to assess her chances in international competition.
"It is a funny story but the horse has only ever run in Morocco," Bernard said. "This is the reason why I chose this race for him as it is on dirt.
"He was very good in Morocco, but we don't know if he is in the same class as the other horses. He has the smallest rating of all the horses and the reason he is qualified to run here is that he beat Hadi De Carrere three months ago.
"Hadi De Carrere had won here in Riyadh. Vica Grine is a good looking individual, very generous. He has been with me for the last three months.
"He went for a steady canter this morning, once round the track, as he had done a bit of a faster work yesterday."
Art Power (IRE) - Trainer Tim Easterby was once again trackside on Thursday morning to cast his eye over the 7-year-old as he cantered a lap of the dirt track.
"He is a wonderful little horse, the perfect gentleman and we’re lucky we’ve got him," Easterby said. "He has run well on fast ground, he has run well on heavy. He goes on quick ground no problem but when they win on a bog one day they get a name for it but this is a great track and we’re looking forward to it. I’m always confident when he runs because he can gallop."
Jumby (IRE) - Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton has not yet arrived in Saudi Arabia but is encouraged.
"Reports are that he is great form, he will love the ground and we are very hopeful," the trainer said. "He has a good draw in the middle and great jockey in Christophe Soumillon."
King Gold (FR) - Nicolas Caullery, a French trainer who is also a member of a band called Elektrik Monday, achieved a significant victory in the Group 1 Prix Maurice de Gheest, which marked a major milestone in his career. Recently, he traveled to Saudi Arabia after King Gold, his stable's star, underwent training at the Al Fahidi Fort in Dubai last month. During the 8am session, King Gold had a routine workout on the dirt track.
"All is good, the canter was good," Caullery said. "The comeback in Dubai was good, but we needed the run after a short break and now all is good. Trip was good, work was good, everything was OK.
"We’re on the grass with a run in the legs, a good draw in number 5, it’s perfect. The jockey knows him. Normally we run good, I’m happy with the preparation."
Mysterious Night (IRE) - Remained on the training track on Thursday morning but trainer Charlie Appleby has been pleased with reports.
"He comes here on the back of two nice victories in Dubai and this race was always a target so we think he goes there with a nice profile," Appleby said.
Oasis Boy (ARG) - Pleased trainer Julio Olascoaga when cantering on the dirt track on Thursday morning.
"Today he was a little better than yesterday, he was changing leads better and he took on the track," Olascoaga said. "Yesterday he was watching around but he was more focussed today. Tomorrow he will be hacking only and we are just waiting for the race."
Bold Journey (USA) - Trainer Bill Mott needs no introduction on the world stage and has another interesting contender.
"He is a late-developing horse that has rounded into a nice sprinter on the dirt," Mott said. "He has won his last three starts, two of them stakes races. In his recent wins, he has been held up off the pace to finish strongly in the stretch and I guess we can expect the same tactics again. My team there tell me that he has arrived in good shape and is training with plenty of good energy."
Sunset Flash (IRE) - "This will be her last start before retiring," owner Sultan Almindeel said.
"She has won 19 times for us in Saudi Arabia. She has been a brilliant mare. She has won many races over this course and distance and she will do her best as she always does."
Austral (FR) - "He is a progressive horse," trainer Jean de Mieulle said.
"He has made a lot of physical improvement in recent months. Most of his form is over a 1600m or so but he is comfortable at this race’s distance also. He will probably go back to France for the spring and summer and I believe he is a Group 3 horse in the making."
Goemon (GB) - "He had a pony with him this morning to help him along," trainer Haider Ebrahim said.
"He is fit and well and getting used to the place. He has top weight in his race because his form in Bahrain is good and he has prepared for this with two runs in very good races in Meydan."
King Shalaa (FR) and Silawi - "King Shalaa is looking good," trainer Alban de Mieulle said.
"I liked his gallop just now. I think he is well rated in this race and it’s his third time running in it. He finished second two years ago and a little further back last year. He is being ridden by Faleh Bughanaim, who is the best local jockey in Qatar.
"Silawi is doing well and I think he has a good chance. He is improving, one who is on the way up. He was not beaten far in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta last time in Dubai."