Mickael Barzalona insists he was pleased with the performance of Cloth of Stars despite being beaten by stablemate Talismanic in preparation for Super Saturday at Chantilly during the week.
The French-based Godolphin jockey rode the Andre Fabre-trained horse to second place – and will be aiming to have the five-year old in fine fettle for the Sheema Classic on March 31.
“It was a very good performance by Talismanic, but the plan was to give (Cloth Of Stars) a good race and just not be too hard,” Barzalona said.
“He’s travelling beautifully at the moment and he picked up very well to the line. I was a length behind Talismanic and I stayed a length behind him so I’m very pleased with that.
“It was a target for Cloth Of Stars after the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe to run in the Sheema Classic and we all know how good Andre Fabre is to make a horse ready for the big days so I am sure he will be 100 per cent. He looks like he is going to be very competitive.”
The 26-year-old is still unsure whether he will be riding either Cloth of Stars or Talismanic on Dubai World Cup night, but either way both horses are serious favourites to win in three weeks‘ time.
As for Heavy Metal’s prospects in the Group Three Burj Nahaar – with two wins this year in Meydan – Barzalona is excited by the thought of racing the eight-year-old front-runner despite being drawn in the unfavourable stall 13.
“He loves the dirt at Meydan, he is very fast from the gate, he’s in great shape,” said the Avignon native. “He’s in great condition. Hopefully we will be able to get the lead and he will win the race.
“The horse looks in good condition and I’m aiming to have some luck and hopefully it goes well.”
