The jury appeared somewhat out after Wednesday’s draw for Saturday’s $10million Dubai World Cup, or perhaps certain connections were masking disappointment.
Runner-up in the world’s riches horse race last year, California Chome’s name was the 11th drawn from 12, leaving his trainer, Art Sherman, with very limited choice.
During the draw, an Emirates Airlines representative drew out each horse’s name before connections made their own pick of starting positions.
Sherman plumped for 11, leaving the widest draw of all, in 12, to Saudi Arabian challenger, Teletext.
However, Sherman seemed unfazed by what, on paper at least, appeared a bad draw.
He said: “If you have the right horse, an outside draw is good and we think we have the right horse. He normally races prominently and is pretty versatile.
“I had two draw options left and went for 11. Hopefully, it will not make that much difference. To tell you the truth, about seven or eight would have been ideal. When we look at the form, we might have to change our strategy a little bit. He has quite a bit of speed if a guy wants to use it.”
Special Fighter, winner of Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 over the same 2000m dirt course and distance on Super Saturday, will leave from stall five.
Poor lane draw: Keen Ice.
His trainer, Musabah Al Muhairi, said: “I wanted six as he won from there on Super Saturday. Five is fine though and we think he has a massive chance.”
Godolphin’s Frosted is in stall nine and his trainer, Kiaran McLaughlin, said: “We are happy with that; there is plenty of time until the first bend, so hopefully he can get a nice position.”
Keen Ice, who was the only horse to defeat Triple Crown champion American Pharaoh last year, was 10th horse out and Jerry Crawford-picked Stall 1.
Crawford said: “The thing that made it (choosing the first stall) attractive was that it was that, or the 11th, or the 12th.
“We have speed drawn to our immediate inside (Mshawish), so we should have room to manoeu- vre and navigate from there. We are going to be first time blinkers so I think that will make him a little keener, excuse the expression.”
Hong Kong’s Gun Pit was the first name drawn and trainer Caspar Fownes went for stall three, explaining: “We are delighted to have had first pick and, hopefully, he can run a big race from there.”
Following him out in the draw was Mshawish, another representing America and trained by Todd Pletcher. His connections opted for stall two and Pletcher said: “The inside at Meydan has looked a good place to be, so we have to be happy.
“Frankie Dettori rides and his first pick was two, so that worked out just fine. Hopefully, he can stalk the early pace and must have a good chance.”
Last year’s UAE Derby winner, the Mike de Kock-trained Mubtaa- hij, was the seventh name to emerge and the trainer’s on, Mathew, went for stall four.
He explained: “We are happy; we wanted a low draw as the inside has been the place to be at Meydan most of this season. He is as well as we can get him and hopefully primed for a big run.”
