Discreet Cat Posts Smart Mile Drill at Nad Al Sheba

By Jason Ford
Undefeated Discreet Cat, winner of the 2006 UAE Derby (UAE-II), looked in good order under Frankie Dettori when working a mile at Nad Al Sheba.

Tracking lead horse Count Trevisio, he was eased alongside by the Italian two furlongs out before quickening clear inside the final furlong, stopping the clock in just over 1 minute 38 seconds.

With only two weeks to go before the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I), connections had been anxious to get a racecourse gallop into the 4-year-old son of Forestry after he was ruled out of his intended comeback at the beginning of the month with a temperature. Sheikh Mohammed was among those watching and all looked delighted with the colt.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said, “That was very pleasing and exactly what we needed. He worked over seven furlongs ten days ago and has come on a lot since then. Frankie is delighted with him and it is all systems go. Obviously he has never been over 10 furlongs but his (UAE) Derby win was over nine and he has strengthened since.

“It was unfortunate that we could not run earlier in the month but the horse was a bit quiet that morning so we took the precaution of withdrawing him. He has thrived since and Frankie has been delighted with him each time he has sat on him.

Dettori added, “He is a very exciting horse to be associated with and I am really looking forwards to the big night in two weeks time. That was a nice sensible piece of work and he has picked up nicely. He has a lot of pace and is classy with it so we have to be hopeful of a big run from him.”

Winner of the Cigar Mile (gr. I) in his most recent outing, he looks firmly on target to renew rivalry with Breeders’ Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I) winner Invasor, whom he beat in last year’s UAE Derby, inflicting that rival’s only defeat to date in the process.

Bin Suroor disclosed that Folk, winner of both the UAE One Thousand Guineas and UAE Oaks, will represent him in the 2007 UAE Derby. She has returned to the Godolphin fold before resuming her career in the U.S.

The 3-year-old daughter of Quiet American had been trained by Ismail Mohammed for her two previous wins but has returned to the Godolphin team as she bids to become the first filly to win the UAE Derby. Godolphin has won the UAE Derby in five of the seven previous runnings, with South Africa’s Mike De Kock, who trains UAE Two Thousand Guineas winner Asiatic Boy having saddled the other two.