30 October 2023, Dubai, UAE ~ Dubai World Cup winner Ushba Tesoro heads a strong contingent of Meydan Racecourse runners in action at the Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita this weekend.
Noboru Takagi’s 10-time winner lines up in the Grade 1 Longines Classic, in which he faces G2 UAE Derby winner Derma Sotogake, the second Japanese runner in a likely field of 12. If he wins the $6million dirt feature, he will be the first Dubai World Cup winner to claim that and the Breeders’ Cup Classic in the same season.
“The Breeders’ Cup Classic is another big race and we are the challenger in here,” said Noboru. “He won at Kawasaki, which also (like Funabashi) has tricky tight bends. I don’t think Santa Anita’s turns will be a problem.”
The Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf, over 2400metres, features a clash between G2 Dubai Gold Cup winner Broome, 2022 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic winner Shahryar and Mostahdaf, fourth home in the 2023 Sheema Classic. Favourite among them is likely to be Mostahdaf, winner of the G1 Prince Wales’s Stakes and G1 Juddmonte International since his Meydan appearance. Get Smokin, down the field in the 2022 G1 Al Quoz Sprint, also lines up for trainer Mark Casse.
“Mostahdaf worked on Friday and is in great form,” said Richard Hills, Assistant Racing Manager to owners Shadwell. “We know he’s a proper traveller, having run in Saudi Arabia ad Dubai earlier this year.”
Emirati trainer Saeed Bin Suroor return to Breeders Cup with Mawj
Emirati trainer Saeed Bin Suroor is no stranger to Breeders’ Cup success and the nine-time Dubai World Cup winner returns to the meeting with Mawj. Successful twice at Meydan before annexing the G1 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, she warmed up for her Santa Anita assignment with victory in the G1 QE2 Cup at Keeneland.
“She worked on the dirt nicely on Saturday,” said Bin Suroor. “I think the mile is the best trip for her, even though she won last time at nine furlongs [1800metres]. Oisin [Murphy, jockey] said he preferred her at a mile and I agree.”
Mawj faces another Meydan graduate in G2 Zabeel Mile winner Master Of The Seas, who arrives after picking up his first G1 in the Woodbine Mile two starts ago. Trained by Charlie Appleby, Master Of The Seas was third in the G1 Dubai Turf, one spot ahead of Shirl’s Speight, who also takes his chance for Canada-based trained Roger Attfield. Win Carnelian, sixth in the G2 Godolphin Mile, switches back to turf here, while Casa Creed, fifth in the 2022 Al Quoz Sprint, represents Dubai World Cup-winning trainer Bill Mott.
The Sprint features a clash between 2022 Golden Shaheen runner Dr. Schivel and Gunite, third in this year’s edition, while the Filly & Mare Turf sees dual Meydan winner With The Moonlight line up against Japanese raider Win Marilyn, sixth in this year’s Longines Dubai Sheema Classic.
Algiers was arguably unlucky not to win the Dubai World Cup, being passed near the line by Ushba Tesoro. Simon and Ed Crisford’s gelding heads to the G1 Dirt Mile where he tries to score for the first time at the top level.
“It’s always been his target since he ran so well in the Dubai World Cup,” said Simon Crisford. “We gave him a prep race in Canada, but the way the race was run didn’t suit him at all, so it was a bit like having a racecourse gallop. What we need to see now is the same monster performance he put up in Dubai.”
The 40th Breeders’ Cup World Championships runs 3-4 November at Santa Anita, California.
Full Pre-Entries here: https://breederscup.com/horses/pre-entries/classic