Reigning American Horse of the Year Invasor drew the outside seven post position and the undefeated colt Discreet Cat got the rail when the field was drawn Wednesday for Saturday’s $6-million Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) at Nad al Sheba racecourse.
Trained by Kiaran McLaughlin for owner Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum, Invasor will be seeking to affirm his status as the world’s top racehorse when he takes on six international challengers in the 1 1/4-mile World Cup.
“It’s a good position for us, it’s outside and hopefully out of trouble,” McLaughlin said of the draw. “We’re happy there are only seven in there. We would have liked to have had more in there to have a faster pace – but then we’ve only got six to beat.” Asked if he expected to win, he said: “Yes, I do.”
Meanwhile, trainer Saeed bin Suroor said he was unconcerned about the inside post for Godolphin’s undefeated star Discreet Cat. Godolphin’s ill-fated Electrocutionist won from the number 1 post in last year’s World Cup.
“I am not at all worried about the inside draw, we were there last year and it’s a smaller field,” bin Suroor said. “He has tactical speed and I will be looking for him to take a position and settle into the race.”
The number 2 post went to Japanese challenger Vermilion, whose trainer Sei Ishizaka, said, “It’s better than being drawn one and it’s better than being drawn seven.”
Tony Cruz, who trains Hong Kong contender Bullish Luck from the 3 post, said, “The draw is not a problem, and he’s in really great form. Invasor and Discreet Cat are going to be the two to beat and we’ll be delighted if we finish right behind them.”
British-based The Kandidate will break from post position 4 for trainer Clive Brittain. Jockey Seb Sanders said that should not be a problem. “He’s good out of the gate, and I hope he’ll be up there.”
Trainer John Kimmel, who conditions the third American-based horse Premium Tap in the World Cup, said the 5 post would not pose a problem. “I am pleased with the position and it’s going to be a rider’s race,” said Kimmel, who conditions Premium Tap for King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz & Sons. “Depending on what the pace of the race is, the horse that is in the best place at the right time will win. That’s what it’s all about, and that’s the best thing about Premium Tap, he can make multiple moves.”
Regardless of the World Cup outcome, Kimmel said the plan is for Premium Tap to return to the U.S. for the remainder of his 2007 campaign.
One of the few trainers not totally happy with the draw was Ian Jory, who said he would have preferred a middle post rather than the 6 for Forty Licks.
“I would have preferred a middle draw but we’ve got Invasor outside us, and it could be between us, with hopefully ours in front.”
Post positions for the Dubai World Cup, with jockeys, are:
1—Discreet Cat, L. Dettori
2—Vermilion, C. Lemaire
3—Bullish Luck, B. Prebble
4—Kandidate, S. Sanders
5—Premium Tap, K. Desormeaux
6—Forty Licks, M. Kinane
7-- Invasor, F. Jara
2006 Horse of the Year Invasor, on the track at Nad al Sheba.
