Nayef issues serious World Cup warning
The favourite’s jockey, who also won the race in 1999 aboard Almutawakel, has been joined in Dubai by twin brother Michael and father Barry ahead of the prestigious meeting.
Nayef impressed clockwatchers as he enjoyed a blowout over four and a half furlongs of the track with two galloping-companions, leaving Hills to describe his mount as “absolutely spot on”.
“We had Ekraar and Albareq on either side, but it is not a case of getting him used to the kickback, he has been drilled in that department for the last two or three weeks and has taken it well,” he said.
“Some people might be surprised that we gave him another proper breeze today, but he takes more work than a normal horse.
“He has strengthened up since last year and is now eight kilos heavier. He gives me the same feeling he did before he won the Sheema Classic here last year and if we get lucky again I’ll be running around the plane on the way back to Heathrow on Saturday night!
“I am chuffed to bits that dad decided to join Michael (who also has two rides at the meeting) on the plane out. He has been here a few times and usually brought me luck so I hope it rubs off again.”
Even Nayef’s arch-pessimist trainer Marcus Tregoning admitted that after seeing his charge work that he was feeling hopeful of a bold showing in the Emirates-sponsored $6m contest.
“He needed to do a little bit because he gets pretty fresh sometimes but he really is in great form,” said Tregoning.
“I am going into the race as pessimistic as I can be. We just don’t know about the dirt, I don’t know much about training horses on dirt.
“But he is quite a strong horse with good limbs and he is by Gulch so there is enough evidence to suggest that he will handle it.
“The signs are all there to make us hopeful. All we need to do now is get him through the next couple of nights and we will give it our best shot.”
Another World Cup contender in action on the track yesterday was leading American contender, Harlan’s Holiday.
Trainer Todd Pletcher flew into the country at 2.30am and only hours later was watching his charge work under lights at the track.
Before he adjourned for some much-needed rest, Pletcher gave an upbeat view of the chances of the four-year-old, who has won nine of his 18 starts.
“He has started the year very well,” said the trainer. “We had this race in the back of our minds for some time and then when he won the Donn Handicap we knew we had to go for it.
“He is really well and he shipped great.
“He is a seasoned horse that has travelled all over the States and although there are some serious horses up against him what he has in his favour is that he is a true dirt horse.
“You’ve got to have a lot tactical pace in the race and he has plenty and as he handles a mile and eighth (1m 1f) so well I think he will stay the 2000m trip on this track.”
American-trained horses have been successful in the race in three of its seven runnings.
Also in action today were the French-trained pair, Aquarelliste and Ange Gabriel.
The latter looked particularly well as he teamed up with Thierry Jarnet to have their first taste of the turf track ahead of the Dubai Sheema Classic.
Meanwhile, bookmakers Coral opened a book on the number of winning rides that Frankie Dettori will enjoy at the meeting.
All five of the Italian’s mounts look to hold outstanding claims in their respective races but the 6-4 favourite is for Dettori to have just one winner, with none at all only 4-1.
Coral spokesman Simon Clare explained: “Although Frankie has got some good rides and we make three of them our favourites, he doesn’t have a great record at the meeting.
“Last year he only had one winner when he was expected to have a brilliant night so we have had to take that into account in our prices.”
