History will have to be created if Godolphin wants to win the 20th running of the Dubai World Cup.
No horse has won the US$10 million (Dh36.7m) race twice and African Story has the daunting task of becoming the first to achieve it in a field that includes California Chrome, the American Horse of the Year, and Epiphaneia, the Japan Cup winner.
Saeed bin Suroor, the Godolphin trainer, has two entered, with African Story in the all-blue colours of the UAE Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid’s Dubai Racing Operation, and Prince Bishop in the silks of the Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed.
RELATED
– Hokko Tarumae ready to banish the ghosts by leading Japanese charge for Dubai World Cup
– ‘A perfect position’: California Chrome delighted by draw for Dubai World Cup
African Story is drawn in gate three and Prince Bishop in one, but Bin Suroor thinks the draw will matter little in a small field of nine runners.
“A good start and a good position early in the race is what would matter,” said the Emirati, who has won the Dubai World Cup a record six times.
“African Story won this race on Tapeta last year and the Maktoum Challenge Round 3 on dirt last time out.
“After he won last year, it was always the plan to bring him back for the Dubai World Cup.
“The surface he races on doesn’t make any real difference to him as good horses handle any surface but we want to try and keep both our horses out of the kickback as much as possible.
“African Story has a good turn of foot and can take any position in the race for James Doyle.
“Prince Bishop had a little problem in the past when he jumped from the stalls but I hope that he can start better this time. He is tough and has done well this year.
“He was close to African Story on his latest outing and worked well earlier this week. I am happy with him and we will talk to William Buick about keeping him in a handy position this time.”
Doyle, who was onboard African Story in both starts this season, preferred a wider draw as he felt most of the speed to be on the outside, which would be a worry for him.
“It was a bit of a shock to African Story the first time he ran on dirt, with the kickback and all that. Though you must remember it was his first start since winning the Dubai World Cup last year and he needs the race a lot,” Doyle said. “He adapted better the second time and it was good to see him get his act together on the dirt. I was pleased with the performance in the Maktoum Challenge and he battled well – it gives a lot more confidence going into the World Cup.”
Buick said: “We have all seen Prince Bishop this year – he has run very well in defeat both times and should have won both times, no question about it, as he gave himself a lot to do.”
Godolphin has only eight runners across five races, including the Dubai World Cup.
Ahzeemah and Marzocco race in the Dubai Gold Cup, Maftool and Sir Fever in the UAE Derby, Ahtoug in the Al Quoz Sprint and True Story in the Dubai Sheema Classic.
Their best hopes of racking up a winner on the night are likely to come from the juveniles Maftool and Sir Fever.
Maftool bounced back to get the better of Mubtaahij in the Group 3 UAE 2000 Guineas to avenge his defeat to Mike de Kock’s runner in the trials after missing the break.
“I am pleased with the horse as he has progressed since his last race. The longer distance of the UAE Derby will suit him,” Bin Suroor said.
Charlie Appleby trains Sir Fever, who was beaten for the first time in 10 starts behind Mubtaahij. “We have got the headgear on him just to help us a bit more. He is a big, lengthy galloper and the headgear will help his concentration and keep him focused on the race,” he said.
“William and I learnt a lot about him on his one start in Dubai, getting to know his strengths. He has been an easy horse to train, but without seeing him at the races first hand, we found out plenty about the horse on his first run and his potential style.
“So we took a lot of positives out of his first start for us. He is in really good nick and we hope he will be competitive in a good race on Saturday.”
Appleby’s Ahtoug, runner up 12 months ago, will have another crack at the 1,000 metres dash on the turf.
The seven-year-old bay has been in excellent form, winning his first start and going down by a short head to Sir Maximilian in his last two starts over the course and distance.
“I was pleased with his 13 draw as I am always happier to be near the stands’ side in sprints at Meydan,” Appleby said. “I have been pleased with his preparation. He is fresh and well and came out of his last run in very good order. He seems to be going into the race in good form.”
apassela@thenational.ae
Follow us at our new home on Twitter @NatSportUAE