Group 1 US $1m Dubai Kahayla Classic empowered by IPIC – 2000m (Dirt)
25 March 2015, Dubai, UAE ~ DWC 2015 Trackwork Notes
Versac PY (FR) – Wore blinkers for the first time in his work with five others on the dirt main track on Wednesday.
Trainer Erwan Charpy explained that although the horse had won at 2000m, he was inclined to pull hard in his races and he thought the headgear would help him to settle down.
As for the PY on his name, Charpy said they were the initials of his breeder.
Bigg N Rich (USA) – He is trained in Abu Dhabi by Frenchman Eric Lemartinel, who said: “This morning he cantered twice over 1200m and tomorrow he will go a bit faster over 1000m. Everything is going well and I’m happy with him.”
Djainka Des Forges (FR) and Taraf (FR) – Djainka Des Forges and Taraf are both trained by Julian Smart in Qatar. Both horses came out very early on Wednesday morning onto the main training track at Meydan and their trainer said: “They didn’t do very much this morning.
Djainka Des Forges, who is a bit of a nervy kind of horse, was reacquainting herself with the surroundings, while Taraf was discovering the track. They might do some faster work tomorrow. I’m happy with them so far.”
Valiant Boy (FR) – America’s star purebred Arabian has pleased trainer Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Merryman with his adaptation to Meydan.
“I think he’s settled in really well and he had a nice breeze on Monday. Now we’ll have to see how he shapes up on the world stage,” Merryman said.
Exercise rider Ali Rawles reported that Valiant Boy handled the Meydan dirt track. “He liked it just fine,” added Merryman, who did not plan any more significant work for the rest of the week.
Valiant Boy is a prime nominee for the 2014 Darley Horse of the Year Award as America’s best purebred Arabian racehorse, an honor he also earned in 2012.
~ end