DRAW TALkS

APOLLO kENTUCkY (USA) Stall – 1

Kenji Yamauchi (trainer): “I didn’t really want the outside so I’m happy enough with an inside draw. I’ll have to wait to see if the horse can live up to his American pedigree on dirt.”

LONG RIVER (USA) Stall – 2

Salem bin Ghadayer (trainer): “The draw is fine, of course I am happy with that. He showed his ability last time in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 and I hope he repeats it on Saturday. I’m so happy to just be in the race.”

GOLD DREAM (JPN) Stall – 3

Osamu Hirata (trainer): “The draw is OK and the horse is very well. He won from gate 3 in the Grade 1 February Stakes last month so it should be a good sign.”

LANI (USA) Stall – 4

Mikio Matsunaga (trainer): “We only had four and six left anyway, but this is a good draw. He’s not the type of horse who can settle from the front, he’s a hold-up horse. He doesn’t mind the kickback and he doesn’t have to travel wide from the draw, so I think it’s good for him.”

MOVE UP (GB) Stall – 6

Saeed bin Suroor (trainer): “He’s getting better all the time and it looks a good gate. The horse is doing really well since he came to Dubai. I’m very happy it’s the best draw. I was left with six but if I could have chosen I’d have gone between five and eight anyway.”

FURIA CRUZADA (CHI) Stall – 8

Erwan Charpy (trainer): “It’s my first runner and it’s exciting to be here. We’ve got speed inside and outside and I’m happy enough with midfield. She’s adaptable.”

ARROGATE (USA) Stall – 9

Bob Baffert (trainer): “Nine is fine. The main thing for him is to get away then it’s up to Mike Smith to decide. I just didn’t want to be number 14 or on the inside otherwise it really didn’t matter. I know I have a great horse. If he just repeats his last race we’ll be in good shape.”