Big Orange Seeks Redemption in Dubai Gold Cup
Big Orange (GB), denied by a neck in the 2016 edition of the Group 2 US $1 million Dubai Gold Cup, is seeking redemption in Saturday’s running.
“He’s a bigger, stronger horse this year,” said exercise rider Jill Dolman after she cantered the enormous bay on the training track.
“He’s grown into himself. He has such a big stride.”
Vazirabad (FR), last year's winner, came onto the main track with stable companion Zarak, who runs in the Dubai Turf. Well used to the training regime, he appreciated the rain and his rider was very happy with him. Vazirabad followed his leader, as he cantered down the back stretch and in front of the stands. Antoine Creton, travelling head lad for the HH the Aga Khan yard, confirmed: “He is well. All is good.”
Zamaam's (GB) jockey Jim Crowley, said: “I won the big race at Abu Dhabi on him on Sunday which earned him a late invitation so he is backing up quickly but he stays well and Erwan Charpy has done a great job with him.”
For Wall Of Fire (IRE), Miguel Clement, pupil assistant to Hugo Palmer, said: “We took him to the training track and he just did a normal canter on the grass. He’ll just keep doing that this week.”
When asked about Trip To Paris (IRE), “He just did a lap of about 1600m, a normal canter,” said Robin Trevor-Jones, travelling head lad to trainer Ed Dunlop, watching from the grass training track.
“We’ll keep monitoring his weight, if he’s putting weight on then he might need to do a bit more later in the week but he’s pretty straight.”
Heartbreak City (FR) cantered on the turf track in the training area. Trainer Tony Martin said: “He doesn’t need much work and the reports are that he is well. I travelled to see him gallop in Dubai under Tadhg O’Shea a week ago last Sunday and I was happy with that. It is a good race but the two I would be most fear are Vazirabad because he won last year and I would say he would improve a lot for his first run back and also Kingfisher because Aidan (O’Brien) trains him.”
Sheikhzayedroad (GB) cantered on the training track. Trainer David Simcock said: “He is very well. He is very experienced and he’s good as gold. He needed that first run back as he long break after winning at Ascot on Champions Day and will improve a lot for it. This is a very strong race, however. It’s a Group 2 in name only. It is a Group 1 field but I think he is up to being in the finish as he is just so consistent.”
Quechua (ARG) cantered on the training track. Trainer Ricardo Le Grange said: “He is very good shape and seems to enjoy it here. I have no complaints with how he has travelled. I’ve always thought that he would do well over a long distance like this trip of 3200m. The longest distance we have in Singapore is 2200m, so that’s why we raced him in the Hong Kong Vase over 2400m. The first two horses in that race (Satono Crown and Highland Reel) are world-class and they pulled a long way clear, but our guy was staying on and was not beaten far by the third horse.
“The people in Argentina who bred him said he should stay 3200m on pedigree and the way he raced at Sha Tin suggested the same, so I hope he can pick up some share of the prize-money with a little luck.”
Source: Dubai Racing Club