Sheema

http://www.dubairacingclub.com/news/dubai-world-cup-trackwork-notes-march-27-2013

Group 1 US$5 m Dubai Sheema Classic, presented by Longines

Gentildonna – Gentildonna worked a half gallop for 1200 metres on turf Wednesday morning. Trainer Sei Ishizaka commented, “This is her third day to work on the main track today, and she is getting relaxed every day.  She sometimes shies, so she started to make a move at 1200-metre pole out and then did half breeze for the last 400 metres.  It will be her first race up from a four-month vacation, but she is in a good shape and everything has been controlled so far. “It will be a tough race for her and difficult to win the race overseas, but I believe Gentildonna can show her best performance.  As the starting gate is a different type from Japan, she got familiarized with it and did not have any problem at all.”

St Nicholas Abbey – Together with his four stablemates, the Aidan O’Brien-trained 6-year-old flew in from Ireland Tuesday and will be eligible to visit the main track on March 29. "This is a very professional outfit and the horses were quick to settle in," said International Supervisor Jim Cornes. "All the horses looked happy in the climate and were not stressed at all."

Dunaden – 2011 Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden was part of the French contingent on Wednesday morning that went onto the all-weather track shortly after six o’clock. Trained by Mikel Delzangles, who had arrived the previous evening, said Dunaden went for a canter said, “I find him in good condition. He travelled well and this morning he just cantered. He did his last major bit of work in France before he came out, so he will just continue to canter here until the race.”

Shareta – French trainer Alain de Royer Dupre had arrived in Dubai on Wednesday and was at Meydan to see his four fillies canter on the all-weather track. He said, “They are all a bit dehydrated, which happens after such a long trip. They only cantered this morning, as they did all their work at home. It’s too hot here to work them. They are fillies not colts and you have to be careful at this time of the year.  I haven’t had a runner here since Meydan opened. Shareta is the one who probably fits the profile best for this type of track and race, while Giofra (Dubai Duty Free) is not easy to train. Verema (Dubai Gold Cup) stays really well and I think it is an open race.”

Trailblazer – Trailblazer galloped for 1400 metres on turf on Wednesday morning. Trainer Yasutoshi Ikee commented, “I told jockey to work him from the 1400-metre pole out and breeze him on the stretch.  He showed the strong stretch run and the fractional time was good (11.9 seconds over the last 200 metres). “In the step race (G3 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3), we went into the race with a lot of confidence because he was in a very good form, however the biggest losing factor was the suitability to the Tapeta.  He could not remain in the leading group until the last stage of the race, so I decided to shift from the World Cup to the Sheema Classic.  He finished fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf and ran well on turf in Japan, so he should suit the surface.  If he can set in the leading group until the last stage, he must have a big chance.” Jockey Yutaka Take commented, “He responded me very well and quickened powerfully in the stretch.  He was very flexible and relaxed.  I do not have any concern about turf because he had many races on turf.  Depending on his break from the gate, I hope he can race handy.  Of course, Gentildonna will get lots of attention, but the most important thing is to bring my horse’s best performance.”

Girolamo – Girolamo, who was given a serious workout by trainer Peter Schiergen on the turf training track on Tuesday, was restricted to exercise in the trotting ring on Wednesday morning.

Very Nice Name – Having flown in from Qatar yesterday, the Alban de Mieulle-trained 4-year-old took light exercise well before dawn under assistant trainer Eric Ventrou.