Mohammad presence adds credence to Post Position draw

What a great start to the Dubai World Cup schedule of events we had at Meydan yesterday morning. To the beautiful strains of a violinist, connections of the four Group 1 races, along with their supporters, gathered to witness the traditional computerised random draw for gate positions in the presence of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, who was seated alongside trainers Bob Baffert and Saeed Bin Surour, giving the grand occasion added credence.

Satish Seemar, who was one of the original trainers when racing began here in the UAE, was the first to break from the gates as his horse North America was selected in the crucial race for gate positions. He wished for gates 1, 2 or 3 and got 2. With a satisfied smile settling on his handsome face, he explained his relief at getting the spot he wished for. North America loves to break fast and run from the front which gate 2 will give him every opportunity to do especially as on his inside will be the oft steadily away Japanese runner, Awardee, in Gate 1.

Gunnevera, whose trainer Antonio Sano assures us is, ”not the same as when he ran in the Pegasus”, will break from gate 3.

International favourite West Coast drew gate 9, which with a smaller field may not pose him too much inconvenience while the Godolphin pair, Talismanic and Thunder Snow, are in 7 and 10.

I would imagine we will see North America setting out on the lead in an attempt to make every post the winning one and I envisage him being chased by Gunnevera, with Mubtaahij not too far away. Luck at the break and in running may very much determine where others sit throughout the race with jockey skills playing a huge part in the mid section.

West Coast will require luck and speed to assist Bob Baffert to a fourth World Cup victory and with only a ten strong field, gate 9 may not be the disaster it at first appears to be.

Andre Fabre’s stunning colt Talismanic has been acclimatising very well to the unfamiliar dirt surface and if he adapts on race night he well be a huge danger.

Thunder Snow for Bin Surour, who has won this race an outstanding seven times previously, has shown his aptitude for the track and will be the main danger. Our own Erwan Charpy has been pragmatic regarding his Furia Cruzada’s chances, but I would love to see her make the frame.

Pavel is a handsome sort but may prove not quite good enough. Dallas Stewart’s mare, Forever Unbridled, is attempting history to be the first mare to ever win the acclaimed Group 1 race, and her Breeders Cup 2017 Distaff form tells us that the impossible is indeed possible.