Japanese ‘supermare’ Gentildonna won the 2400m Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic last year and there looks a strong chance this turf contest could be destined for Japan again.
– Interview: James Doyle riding for Godolphin on the crest of a wave
– #360view: Rewards make Dubai World Cup an unmissable date
– Dubai World Cup 2015: Race-by-race guide
Seeking a fourth win in the race, the country is doubly represented in a nine strong field with four-year-old Harp Star currently international favourite.
Winner of last year’s Japanese 1000 Guineas (1600m), she was then narrowly denied in the Japanese Oaks, before stepping out of her age group and taking on the boys in the Grade 2 Sapporo Kinen. Victory ensued with connections then aiming her to France and the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe.
Harp Star was sixth in that behind winner Treve, with surely no worse ride seen in a big international race last year. She was then fifth in the Japan Cup (behind World Cup hopeful Epiphaneia).
Can Harp Star follow in Gentildonna’s hoofprints & take the Dubai Sheema Classic presented by @Longines? Pic M Kelley pic.twitter.com/ZyUalLV68q
— Longines WBRR (@worldsbesthorse) March 25, 2015
She has had one start this year, perhaps a disappointing fifth in Grade 2 company but has the benefit of Ryan Moore, successful on Gentildonna last year, in the saddle for the first time. Her trainer, Hiroyoshi Matsuda, saddled Buena Vista (his only previous runner in the race) to be second in this in 2010 having won both the Japanese 1000 Guineas and Oaks the previous year.
Matsuda, surrounded by a throng of Japanese media, said: “We are very happy with her. She is used to international travel and has taken everything in her stride. We have probably the best jockey in the world and are very excited.”
Compatriot One And Only appears to have a bit to find with France supplying two of the main dangers with the Alain De Royer-Dupre-trained Dolniya and Flintshire, to be saddled by Andre Fabre.
The latter won the Dubai Sheema Classic in 2004 with Polish Summer, like Flintshire, owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah. Winner of last year’s Group 1 Hong Kong Vase, he was runner-up to Dolniya in their prep race over 1800m (Polytrack) at the beginning of the month.
He is fancied to gain his revenge here over a more suitable trip and he also has previous with American challenger, Main Sequence.
He has been a revelation since switching Stateside and joining Graham Motion who won the 2013 Dubai World Cup with Animal Kingdom.
Yet to taste defeat in five outings for his new handler, Main Sequence’s four Grade 1 victories last year included the Breeders’ Cup Turf, defeating Flintshire. Designs On Rome, winner of last year’s Group 1 Hong Kong Derby and Hong Kong Cup in a stellar campaign, has won both starts this year.
