Edited Dubai Racing Club Report
One of the big hopes for the Godolphin Mile (UAE-II) is American challenger Informed, who made a dramatic entrance on to the Nad Al Sheba track the morning of March 24, performing a series of almost Lipizzaner-like leaps before spurting into his 1 1/2-mile gallop.
But assistant trainer Leandro Mora and exercise rider Tony Romero gave the 5-year-old son of Tiznow good grades for the day.
“He was way better this morning than he has been,” Mora said, “and he looks great.”
“What can you do?” Romero said with a smile when asked about how he deals with the fractious horse. “Only a couple of more days to go.”
Mora said he believes Informed has a big chance to win the Godolphin Mile. In fact, he said he would have liked to have seen Informed in the Dubai World Cup as he has markedly improved since being claimed by trainer Doug O’Neill last summer.
“I love him; I really thought he could have fit with the Dubai World Cup field, because he’s competed with some of the best at Santa Anita,” Mora said.
Second by only a nose to Cowboy Cal in the Jan. 10 San Pasqual Handicap (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park, Informed also has raced against Dubai World Cup contenders Albertus Maximus and Well Armed.
Informed clearly is at his best at a distance approximate to that in the Godolphin Mile, as all four of his career victories have been recorded at 1 1/16 miles.
Art of War, Lucky Find, and Brave Tin Soldier all contest the Godolphin Mile for Mike De Kock, but the South African fears the Godolphin duo.
“Two Step Salsa and Gayego are going to be hard to beat, but our three are well,” said De Kock. “Art of War has thrived on his busy campaign and we ran Brave Tin Soldier in a sprint to sharpen him up last time.
“Lucky Find should be staying on at the end, and hopefully we can get some prize money from the race, but winning it will be tough.”
Local hope Golden Arrow cantered on dirt the morning of March 24, watched by his trainer Erwan Charpy.
“Golden Arrow did his last piece of fast work on Saturday and I was very happy with him,” said Charpy. “He’s a light little horse and so he doesn’t need much, especially as he’s been racing all season.”
Stablemate Blue Ksar was meant to be lining up too, but the trainer explained, “On Monday his foot just swelled up and this isn’t the kind of race that you can go into any less than 100 percent.”
ESPN360.com will have exclusive online live coverage of the Dubai World Cup from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. ET