Bin Suroor, al Zarooni size up Godolphin squad
Mar 28, 2013 21:58:01 GMT -5
Post by Evelyn on Mar 28, 2013 21:58:01 GMT -5
Always have to give a good look at Goldolphin.
Bin Suroor, al Zarooni size up Godolphin squad
Godolphin trainers Saeed bin Suroor and Mahmood al Zarooni offered insights into their runners on Saturday's Group 1 Dubai World Cup program.
Moonwalk in Paris, Alpha, Time Prisoner and Saamidd carry the team's hopes in the first Thoroughbred race of the evening, the Group 2 Godolphin Mile.
"Moonwalk In Paris is in good form and the distance suits him," al Zarooni said of the Group 3 Firebreak winner. "He has not done anything wrong, and I think he will run a good race. The plan is to drop him in and sit and wait. It is all about the pace of the race. If they go a good pace, it will help him overcome any disadvantage from being drawn 15, but a slow pace would make life very difficult from that stall. It is all about luck."
"I was disappointed with Alpha on his first run for me," bin Suroor said of the Bernardini colt, who trailed in the Group 2 Maktoum Challenge Round 2. "He doesn't show a lot when he works in the mornings usually, but we are giving him a chance in what will be his last race here in Dubai as he will return to America. We will see how he runs but he is doing well physically and worked quite nicely on Sunday. The visor is to sharpen him up over a mile."
"Time Prisoner's best trip is seven furlongs," al Zarooni said, "but I hope he will run well in the Godolphin Mile. He has won over a mile, but it wasn't a good race. I just hope the extra furlong doesn't stop the horse showing his best."
"Saamidd is working well," bin Suroor commented, "and a mile is fine for him as long as he comes out of the stalls faster. The last two times he has jumped slowly from the stalls. He needs to take a good position early in the race from his outside draw."
Godolphin has three contenders in the Group 3 Dubai Gold Cup at about two grassy miles -- Cavalryman, Tenenbaum and Ahzeemah.
"(Cavalryman) is doing well and ran third last time (in the Group 2 Dubai City of Gold)," bin Suroor said. "The step back up to two miles will suit him. He is in good form. So far, so good, and we are looking for an excellent run from him."
"(Tenebaum) needed his first run of the year (when fourth in the Group 3 Nad al Sheba Trophy)," al Zarooni said, "and the plan was to sit behind the pace, but sometimes when a horse has not run for a time they jump a bit slow and are not sharp enough. Now he has had the run, I hope he will be much sharper. He is in good form and I think he has a good chance. Two miles should be no problem."
"Ahzeemah won his last race (the Nad al Sheba Trophy) pleasingly," bin Suroor said. "He is in good form and condition. He does not really show a lot in the mornings, but I feel the longer trip of two miles will suit him better. He worked on Sunday and I was happy with him. The horse is a good fighter in his races."
Bin Suroor and al Zarooni together have four sophomores -- Secret Number, Now Spun, Shuruq and Snowboarder -- lining up for the Group 2 U.A.E. Derby.
"Secret Number has run twice in his life, winning a maiden and a listed race (the Al Bastakiya)," bin Suroor said. "He is improving all the time and doing really well. He is unbeaten, and I am sure he has the class to run a big race."
"(Now Spun) is really doing well," al Zarooni said. "He is a nice sort and there is improvement in him. He has not had enough experience yet and I hope his turf form will translate to Tapeta."
"Shuruq won really, really well in the (Group 3) U.A.E. Oaks," bin Suroor noted. "She is running over the same course and distance which she seems to stay well. She is ready to go again and I am hopeful of another good performance, but it is a tougher race as she takes on the colts."
"I think Snowboarder will be fine in this race," al Zarooni said. "Last time Mickael (Barzalona) lost his whip in the final furlong and this is a horse who needs encouragement. I think he will run a better race this time as there is a little bit of improvement in him. He always tries his best which can be seen from his consistent record. One day he will win again."
Godolphin relies solely on Mental in the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen.
"Mental is a good horse, a professional in his training," al Zarooni commented. "Sprinters are often on their toes and a bit fresh, but this horse is very relaxed and calm. I think we have a good chance on Saturday. Last time we didn't declare him with blinkers and that is why he came very late (to win the Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint).
"This time he will wear blinkers like he used to do in Australia," the trainer added. "That should make him a bit sharper from the stalls and in the race. I think the 10 draw is fine -- the way he won last time shows he is a very good horse."
The horsemen have a quartet entered in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free -- Sajjhaa, City Style, Aesop's Fables and Fulbright.
"Sajjhaa won her first Group 1 last time (in the Jebel Hatta) and is unbeaten in Dubai this year," bin Suroor said. "She is doing really good in training -- no problem at all. She is in the right race, though she faces better horses this time. Her class should mean another good run. She has improved a lot physically this year."
"City Style came third last year in this race," al Zarooni said. "He is the type of horse who comes second in a maiden and then second in a Group 1. He is a bit clever and I am not sure he wants to be in front. Having said that, he is in the best form of his life and we will ride him handy in the race and hope for another good performance."
"Aesop's Fables ran well first time out when needing the race (fourth in the Group 2 Al Rashidiya)," bin Suroor said, "and you can forget his performance last time as did not seem to like Tapeta (in the Group 3 Burj Nahaar). We will see how he gets on."
"I think (Fulbright) can improve," al Zarooni said. "There is no doubt that Fulbright is a good horse -- I like him. He has been unlucky in at least one of his
Bin Suroor has both Godolphin colorbearers in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic, Prince Bishop and Sharestan.
"(Prince Bishop) disappointed in last year's Dubai World Cup but has run well on turf in the past," the trainer said, "and I think a mile and a half is the best trip for him. He is doing well and we are happy with him, though he might prefer a bit of cut in the ground.
"(Sharestan) won well first time and was unlucky on his second run (when third in the Al Rashidiya. I think he will stay and hope he runs a good race."
Between them, bin Suroor and al Zarooni have a total of five chances in the World Cup -- 7-2 morning-line favorite Hunter's Light, defending champion Monterosso, course specialist African Story, last year's runner-up Capponi and the up-and-coming Kassiano.
"Hunter's Light is unbeaten in his last three races," bin Suroor said of the winner of Maktoum Challenge Rounds 2 and 3 at the Carnival. "He is a horse who is improving and a tough performer. He will be there at the end because he has a big heart. A mile and a quarter is the best trip for him and he has pleased me in the run-up to this race -- his biggest test. He really likes this track and the Tapeta surface.
"I am very happy that I won the Dubai World Cup last year with Monterosso and also had the second in Capponi," al Zarooni said. "It will be my winner this year for both horses to run in the race again -- it is always difficult to keep horses at their very peak.
"Monterosso has come on for his first run (ninth in the Maktoum Challenge Round 3) and is in good form and doing OK, but there is wear and tear. His training program has not been 100 percent smooth. Last year he finished fourth on his prep run and then won the big race, improving by seven or eight lengths. This year, he finished 10th and has to improve by around 20 lengths to win! But I think he will run a better race than last time.
"Capponi had the summer off and has taken a long time to come to hand," al Zarooni revealed, "which is why he hasn't had a prep run. There have been some issues, but he is well at the moment and deserves to take his chance. The team are doing their best to get him ready for another Dubai World Cup."
"African Story won the Godolphin Mile last year," bin Suroor said of the miler who has yet to try this distance, "and I think his best trip will be a mile and a quarter, which is why he is running in the Dubai World Cup this year. Everything has gone smoothly with his preparation. He is in good form and condition and it is all systems go. He can run a good race.
"Kassiano has won seven races and done really well this year, showing great improvement as he has gone on," bin Suroor observed. "Last time, he finished second in the Al Maktoum Challenge (Round 3) and we must give him a chance in the big race. He is in good form and hopefully still improving.
"I think my three runners in the Dubai World Cup all have a good chance," bin Suroor summed up of Hunter's Light, African Story and Kassiano.
Lots of photos at link below (This was already too long lol)
www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/editorial/news/article.cgi?id=35457&from=656
Bin Suroor, al Zarooni size up Godolphin squad
Godolphin trainers Saeed bin Suroor and Mahmood al Zarooni offered insights into their runners on Saturday's Group 1 Dubai World Cup program.
Moonwalk in Paris, Alpha, Time Prisoner and Saamidd carry the team's hopes in the first Thoroughbred race of the evening, the Group 2 Godolphin Mile.
"Moonwalk In Paris is in good form and the distance suits him," al Zarooni said of the Group 3 Firebreak winner. "He has not done anything wrong, and I think he will run a good race. The plan is to drop him in and sit and wait. It is all about the pace of the race. If they go a good pace, it will help him overcome any disadvantage from being drawn 15, but a slow pace would make life very difficult from that stall. It is all about luck."
"I was disappointed with Alpha on his first run for me," bin Suroor said of the Bernardini colt, who trailed in the Group 2 Maktoum Challenge Round 2. "He doesn't show a lot when he works in the mornings usually, but we are giving him a chance in what will be his last race here in Dubai as he will return to America. We will see how he runs but he is doing well physically and worked quite nicely on Sunday. The visor is to sharpen him up over a mile."
"Time Prisoner's best trip is seven furlongs," al Zarooni said, "but I hope he will run well in the Godolphin Mile. He has won over a mile, but it wasn't a good race. I just hope the extra furlong doesn't stop the horse showing his best."
"Saamidd is working well," bin Suroor commented, "and a mile is fine for him as long as he comes out of the stalls faster. The last two times he has jumped slowly from the stalls. He needs to take a good position early in the race from his outside draw."
Godolphin has three contenders in the Group 3 Dubai Gold Cup at about two grassy miles -- Cavalryman, Tenenbaum and Ahzeemah.
"(Cavalryman) is doing well and ran third last time (in the Group 2 Dubai City of Gold)," bin Suroor said. "The step back up to two miles will suit him. He is in good form. So far, so good, and we are looking for an excellent run from him."
"(Tenebaum) needed his first run of the year (when fourth in the Group 3 Nad al Sheba Trophy)," al Zarooni said, "and the plan was to sit behind the pace, but sometimes when a horse has not run for a time they jump a bit slow and are not sharp enough. Now he has had the run, I hope he will be much sharper. He is in good form and I think he has a good chance. Two miles should be no problem."
"Ahzeemah won his last race (the Nad al Sheba Trophy) pleasingly," bin Suroor said. "He is in good form and condition. He does not really show a lot in the mornings, but I feel the longer trip of two miles will suit him better. He worked on Sunday and I was happy with him. The horse is a good fighter in his races."
Bin Suroor and al Zarooni together have four sophomores -- Secret Number, Now Spun, Shuruq and Snowboarder -- lining up for the Group 2 U.A.E. Derby.
"Secret Number has run twice in his life, winning a maiden and a listed race (the Al Bastakiya)," bin Suroor said. "He is improving all the time and doing really well. He is unbeaten, and I am sure he has the class to run a big race."
"(Now Spun) is really doing well," al Zarooni said. "He is a nice sort and there is improvement in him. He has not had enough experience yet and I hope his turf form will translate to Tapeta."
"Shuruq won really, really well in the (Group 3) U.A.E. Oaks," bin Suroor noted. "She is running over the same course and distance which she seems to stay well. She is ready to go again and I am hopeful of another good performance, but it is a tougher race as she takes on the colts."
"I think Snowboarder will be fine in this race," al Zarooni said. "Last time Mickael (Barzalona) lost his whip in the final furlong and this is a horse who needs encouragement. I think he will run a better race this time as there is a little bit of improvement in him. He always tries his best which can be seen from his consistent record. One day he will win again."
Godolphin relies solely on Mental in the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen.
"Mental is a good horse, a professional in his training," al Zarooni commented. "Sprinters are often on their toes and a bit fresh, but this horse is very relaxed and calm. I think we have a good chance on Saturday. Last time we didn't declare him with blinkers and that is why he came very late (to win the Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint).
"This time he will wear blinkers like he used to do in Australia," the trainer added. "That should make him a bit sharper from the stalls and in the race. I think the 10 draw is fine -- the way he won last time shows he is a very good horse."
The horsemen have a quartet entered in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free -- Sajjhaa, City Style, Aesop's Fables and Fulbright.
"Sajjhaa won her first Group 1 last time (in the Jebel Hatta) and is unbeaten in Dubai this year," bin Suroor said. "She is doing really good in training -- no problem at all. She is in the right race, though she faces better horses this time. Her class should mean another good run. She has improved a lot physically this year."
"City Style came third last year in this race," al Zarooni said. "He is the type of horse who comes second in a maiden and then second in a Group 1. He is a bit clever and I am not sure he wants to be in front. Having said that, he is in the best form of his life and we will ride him handy in the race and hope for another good performance."
"Aesop's Fables ran well first time out when needing the race (fourth in the Group 2 Al Rashidiya)," bin Suroor said, "and you can forget his performance last time as did not seem to like Tapeta (in the Group 3 Burj Nahaar). We will see how he gets on."
"I think (Fulbright) can improve," al Zarooni said. "There is no doubt that Fulbright is a good horse -- I like him. He has been unlucky in at least one of his
Bin Suroor has both Godolphin colorbearers in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic, Prince Bishop and Sharestan.
"(Prince Bishop) disappointed in last year's Dubai World Cup but has run well on turf in the past," the trainer said, "and I think a mile and a half is the best trip for him. He is doing well and we are happy with him, though he might prefer a bit of cut in the ground.
"(Sharestan) won well first time and was unlucky on his second run (when third in the Al Rashidiya. I think he will stay and hope he runs a good race."
Between them, bin Suroor and al Zarooni have a total of five chances in the World Cup -- 7-2 morning-line favorite Hunter's Light, defending champion Monterosso, course specialist African Story, last year's runner-up Capponi and the up-and-coming Kassiano.
"Hunter's Light is unbeaten in his last three races," bin Suroor said of the winner of Maktoum Challenge Rounds 2 and 3 at the Carnival. "He is a horse who is improving and a tough performer. He will be there at the end because he has a big heart. A mile and a quarter is the best trip for him and he has pleased me in the run-up to this race -- his biggest test. He really likes this track and the Tapeta surface.
"I am very happy that I won the Dubai World Cup last year with Monterosso and also had the second in Capponi," al Zarooni said. "It will be my winner this year for both horses to run in the race again -- it is always difficult to keep horses at their very peak.
"Monterosso has come on for his first run (ninth in the Maktoum Challenge Round 3) and is in good form and doing OK, but there is wear and tear. His training program has not been 100 percent smooth. Last year he finished fourth on his prep run and then won the big race, improving by seven or eight lengths. This year, he finished 10th and has to improve by around 20 lengths to win! But I think he will run a better race than last time.
"Capponi had the summer off and has taken a long time to come to hand," al Zarooni revealed, "which is why he hasn't had a prep run. There have been some issues, but he is well at the moment and deserves to take his chance. The team are doing their best to get him ready for another Dubai World Cup."
"African Story won the Godolphin Mile last year," bin Suroor said of the miler who has yet to try this distance, "and I think his best trip will be a mile and a quarter, which is why he is running in the Dubai World Cup this year. Everything has gone smoothly with his preparation. He is in good form and condition and it is all systems go. He can run a good race.
"Kassiano has won seven races and done really well this year, showing great improvement as he has gone on," bin Suroor observed. "Last time, he finished second in the Al Maktoum Challenge (Round 3) and we must give him a chance in the big race. He is in good form and hopefully still improving.
"I think my three runners in the Dubai World Cup all have a good chance," bin Suroor summed up of Hunter's Light, African Story and Kassiano.
Lots of photos at link below (This was already too long lol)
www.brisnet.com/cgi-bin/editorial/news/article.cgi?id=35457&from=656