Preakness Stakes winner ready to follow the Curlin route to glory in DWC

Peter Ward 09:03 25/02/2016
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  • Bigger and better: California Chrome will take part in the 2000m handicap at the Carnival tonight before focusing on the Dubai World Cup.

    Just over four weeks since arriving in the UAE, current Dubai World Cup favourite California Chrome, second in the world’s richest horse race last March, makes his eagerly awaited local reappearance in a 2000m dirt handicap this evening.

    When winning the 2014 Kentucky Derby, before following up in the Preakness Stakes, the second leg of the US Triple Crown, he earned his trainer, Art Sherman, a place in the record books.

    Aged 77 at the time, he became the oldest ever trainer to win a Triple Crown race.

    Having arrived the week before the big race last March, ‘Team Chrome’ have taken a different path towards the 2016 Dubai World Cup, the same one ploughed by Curlin on his way to World Cup victory in 2008.

    He won this very same 2000m dirt handicap en route to his big victory, in those days at Nad Al Sheba. Sherman’s son and assistant, Alan, has been charged with overseeing California Chrome’s extended UAE preparation and has been delighted with what he has seen.

    He said: “The horse settled straight back in at Meydan, almost as if he had not been away. He is a far bigger and stronger horse this year and we are all very excited to be back for another crack at the World Cup.”

    After last year’s Meydan adventure, the horse, against his trainer’s wishes, was sent to England for Royal Ascot but that plan was curtailed by injury. At the time, his racing career was very much in the balance.

    “There was a definite chance he would not race again,” said Sherman.

    “He was sent for a holiday basically and the prognosis was positive. When he came back to us, it was like a different horse walking into the barn; he had filled out, put on weight and, basically, grown, matured into his frame.

    “We were delighted but of course, he still had to prove his soundness to race, that the ability and enthusiasm remained. The signs were good at home so we were pretty confident when we went to Santa Anita in early January.”

    Sport360_2502_30_v1

    Proud: Art and Alan (r) Sherman.

    The confidence was justified and he easily won the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes over 1700m.

    Sherman continued: “That was very satisfying as he was far from 100 per cent fit and only just ready for a run.

    “We had long decided if all went well he would then come to Dubai for an extended preparation this year, to gain more experience and have plenty of time to acclimatise.

    “We could have waited until Super Saturday next week, but I firmly believe this is a better option with just over four weeks until the main target. We also feel strongly that a horse, returning from a long enforced break, will be at his peak on his third run back which will be the case on World Cup night.

    “Everything has gone perfectly so far and I could not be more happy; he looks amazing and is really striding out in the mornings. He is just a happy horse enjoying his work.”

    The horse certainly appears to be a ‘bigger and better’ version of the California Chrome we saw last March. And he appears to devour the ground as he effortlessly glides across the Meydan dirt, the sun glistening off his chesnut coat.

    He completed his final ‘serious gallop’ last Friday, striding out over 1000m and stopping the stopwatch at 47.20 seconds. Notably, his trademark blinkers were absent for this important piece of work.

    Sherman explained: “We take the blinkers off in his work sometimes to keep him a bit more relaxed and it was less than a week before his race. He went very well indeed and I could not be happier with him.

    “The blinkers will, of course, be back on when he races!

    “That was his final serious gallop and he has just ticked over since.”

    Of course, even assuming he wins easily tonight, the World Cup itself will be a far stiffer test with the USA in particular certain to be well represented.

    Godolphin’s Frosted has already advertised his claims, in style and Keen Ice, the only horse to beat Triple Crown winner American Pharoah in 2015, has just arrived in Dubai.

    Sherman obviously respects them, but said: “We hope Chrome is the one others have to fear. Frosted was very impressive and has proven himself at Meydan now, but we know our horse acts on the surface.

    “Keen Ice is very good, but he has yet to race on the Meydan dirt which has its own characteristics. We respect them both, and others who will be in opposition but, at the end of the day, we have a genuine World Cup contender and would not swap him.

    “It is so exciting and great to be part of the whole Meydan and World Cup Carnival experience, again.”

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