Godolphin's Dubai World Cup challenger Mystic Guide 'flourishing' after long trip

Trainer Michael Stidham backs US-based Ghostzapper colt to succeed at Meydan

Mystic Guide seen winning the Group 2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga Race Course. Credit: Coglianese Photos

Godolphin has three runners from three continents entered in the Dubai World Cup as they bid to make the silver jubilee running of the race the most memorable one.

Leading the royal blues challenge in the $12million race on the 2,000-metre dirt surface at the Meydan racetrack on Saturday is the US-based Mystic Guide.

The Ghostzapper colt, trained by Michael Stidham, arrives on the back of a six-length victory in the Grade 3 Razorback Handicap over the 1,700m trip on a very sloppy Oaklawn Park racetrack on 27 February.

Stidham is quietly confident of his colt running a big race on the night and a potential first meeting with the Godolphin owner Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai.

“It is an honour to be here especially for Sheikh Mohammed, whom I have never met, but hoping to meet on this trip,” the American, who currently trains 18 horses for the royal blues, said on his first visit to Dubai.

“It’s amazing to be at the Dubai World Cup. It’s something that I watched for many years on television and I’m delighted to be here with a horse that belongs here.”

Mystic Guide, under Godolphin rider William Buick, had an easy day on Monday morning, one day after blowing out 600m down the Meydan stretch.

The mount of Luis Saez on the big day has never been out of the first three in seven starts. He broke his maiden tag in the second start and won the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes three runs later.

“You always worry that with a trip like this, your horse could go either way,” Stidham said of Mystic Guide’s long trip from the US to Dubai.

“Everything I have seen and spoke to my assistant Dan [Spade], he seems to be flourishing since he has been here. I’m delighted at that.

“His last race obviously was huge. It was his first race as a four-year-old. We went to Oaklawn and he was very impressive in that race. It seems he has moved forward from that race.

“He ran well at Belmont Park and Saratoga. So he can handle this surface fine.”

Stidham had also done his homework ahead of his arrival for his first Dubai World Cup.

“Actually I spent several mornings with Steve Asmussen and Scott Blasi who have made many trips here and they were very helpful in that respect,” he added.

Joining Mystic Guide in the line-up are Andre Fabre’s Magny Cours and Saeed bin Suroor’s Gifts Of Gold.

Magny Cours arrived in Dubai last Friday after travelling from France via Belgium and the UK.

However, despite the long travel, the six-year-old was in fine form, as confirmed by Richard Lambert, the travelling head lad of the French handler.

“He travelled really well and took the trip in his stride,” he said of Medaglia D’Oro gelding.

Gifts Of Gold had a superb win in the Coming Red Sea Turf Handicap at the Saudi Cup meeting last month.

The six-year-old Invincible Spirit gelding completed his main work at Godolphin’s Al Quoz track last Thursday.

“We are very happy with him, he will canter for the rest of the week and we are just hoping for a good draw [Wednesday] now,” Bin Suroor, who has won the Dubai World Cup a record nine times, said.