US Trainers insist California Chrome and Lea will adapt to Dubai World Cup dirt

Peter Ward 06:24 28/03/2015
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  • Catch him if you can: California Chrome (r) is favourite for the Dubai World Cup.

    American trainers Art Sherman and Bill Mott have brushed off concerns over their horses’ suitability for the new dirt at Meydan.

    Earlier this week, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, suggested the sand-based surface at Meydan, which replaced the much-maligned Tapeta for this year, might not suit the American horses even though it has been largely responsible for their return in numbers for 2015.

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    Sheikh Hamdan said conditions at Meydan are different to those American horses are accustomed to at Santa Anita or Churchill Downs.

    But Sherman, whose horse California Chrome has been the name on most lips all week as the hot favourite for the $10million Dubai World Cup, said: “I’m not worried about the track at all. Good horses will go on any surface, even tarmac.

    “We are delighted with him; everything has gone pretty much as we planned. The trip, the surface, his condition and demeanour should all be spot on.”

    Sherman’s thoughts were echoed by Mott, who trained the inaugural Dubai World Cup winner, Cigar, back in 1996. Mott, who is represented by five-year-old Lea this time, said there was nothing to fear.

    “I walked over it and have seen my horse get over it well,” Mott said. “It looks and feels a lot like the surface we have at Churchill Downs.”

    Mott’s assessment will delight connections of California Chrome, whose Kentucky Derby triumph was gained at Churchill Downs. But Mott believes that Lea is no forlorn contender.

    “He is in the top five horses back home,” the trainer said. “California Chrome is a worthy favourite but I feel my horse deserves respect.”

    The last Kentucky Derby winner to run in the following year’s Dubai World Cup was 1998 winner Silver Charm who, like California Chrome, also landed the Preakness before being denied an American Triple Crown in the Belmont.

    The Mott-trained Lea gives the States a particularly strong hand in the 20th running of the race.

    Mott said: “He did a really nice gallop this morning and is in great shape. My work rider came back with a massive grin on his face which can only be good news. He was bouncing coming off the racetrack. We’re not there yet, but hopefully everything goes well between now and then.”

    Godolphin’s African Story is looking to make history by winning the race for a second time, something never previously achieved (he is actually only the second horse to try and defend their crown).

    Trained by Saeed bin Suroor, he did win over course and distance on Super Saturday in Al Maktoum Challenge III and the trainer has won the World Cup with three previous winners of that contest (2000 Dubai Millennium, 2002 Street Cry and 2006 Electrocutionist).

    “African Story won this last year on the all-weather and proved he can win on dirt on Super Saturday,” said the trainer. “With good horses like him, the surface really makes less difference as the best horses will handle any surface.

    “He has a nice draw in three, while Prince Bishop, from stall one, will hopefully break better than he has the last twice.”

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