Spencer hopeful Cape Blanco can rule in Dubai
Hay, who is Scottish but lives and works in the UAE, purchased a majority share in last year’s Irish Derby and Champion Stakes winner, who will be ridden by his retained jockey Jamie Spencer.
Coolmore and the Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed have had what is generally acknowledged to be a strained relationship for some time, with their last competitor at the Sheikh’s keynote meeting being Powerscourt in 2005.
Cape Blanco must overcome the fact he only left Meydan quarantine on Thursday and has not raced since finishing towards the rear in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
“I’ve had a few sits on him and I’m just looking forward to it,” said Spencer.
“He showed last year he was a top three-year-old colt. Twice Over will be a tough nut to crack, he’s been here before and he’ll improve for his first run.
“But the horse seems in fine form and I just hope we have a good trip.
“The surface wouldn’t worry me. I think it suits horses that like quick ground and he won an Irish Derby on good to firm.”
Henry Cecil believes favourite Twice Over can scale even greater heights at the age of six.
There is a sense of unfinished business for Twice Over, who had an unfortunate experience in the world’s richest race last year when he was drawn wide and was bumped, meaning he could not manoeuvre himself into a better position.
Cecil has changed tack this time, opting to bring him out in Dubai earlier in order to gain experience of the Tapeta surface, on which he won his prep-race over the course and distance on March 3 in auspicious style.
“We thought we had a great chance last year but things just didn’t go right,” said Cecil.
“The main thing is to adapt to everything and we tried something different this year.”
Twice Over must break from a wide stall again – 12 of 14 – but Cecil added: “He seems to have got himself balanced and I’ll think he’ll cope with the draw.
Apart from Twice Over and the international Godolphin operation, the other British runner will be Gitano Hernando – although he is trained by an Italian national in Marco Botti.
