Highland Reel, Seventh Heaven Arrive for Dubai Sheema Classic

Highland Reel (IRE) and Seventh Heaven (IRE) arrived safely from Ireland at Meydan’s international stables early on Tuesday morning, spearheading the biggest Ballydoyle team at the meeting. Trainer Aidan O’Brien will be represented in five races as he mounts an all-out attempt to build on a record of three winners from 22 previous runners. The nine-strong party flew from Shannon and having traveled in two horseboxes from Dubai airport, were familiarizing themselves with their new surroundings by 8am, ahead of the obligatory 48-hour period of quarantine.

Highland Reel and Seventh Heaven are pointed toward toe Group 1 US $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic.

Postponed's (IRE) trainer Roger Varian is due in on Wednesday, and preparation on the all-weather training track was overseen by his assistant, Will Johnson.

“He just had a nice blow, very much in line with what he did yesterday,” said Johnson.

“He’s nice and alert. It depends on the weather, but he’ll either do a faster piece of tomorrow or Thursday once Roger and Andrea Atzeni are in town.”

Sounds of Earth (JPN) cantered over the dirt course. Assistant trainer Masaoki Nakata said: "My horse has been getting relaxed and felt great.  He had some piece of work in Japan and I didn’t give him too much to do over the turf course, so we would be working him entirely on dirt through the week."

Source: Dubai Racing Club