Bin Suroor hoping for Snow
dubai — A maximum field of 16 is set to face the starter in the final Classic of the local season, the Group 2 UAE Derby sponsored by The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group.
Not surprisingly, Godolphin is well represented and responsible for three runners, seemingly headed by Thunder Snow (IRE) who, along with stable companion, Top Score (GB), will be seeking to give trainer Saeed bin Suroor an eighth victory in the race but first since 2011.
Thunder Snow, a Group 1 winner in France as a juvenile last October, made a successful local debut with a smooth success in the UAE 2000 Guineas over 1,600m six weeks ago.
Ridden on both occasions by Christophe Soumillon, he again has the assistance of the Belgian but his draw, in 13, does not look ideal. Adrie de Vries rides his stable companion, Top Score, much better berthed in five and winner of the 1400m Listed Meydan Classic
Thunder Snow has a touch of class and we expect a big run, whereas Top Score is improving all the time Bin Suroor
as well as the trial for that same race, on his two most recent outings. Those, however, were on turf rather than dirt.
“It is a new trip for each of them but both worked well earlier this week,” said Bin Suroor. “Thunder Snow has a touch of class and we expect a big run, whereas Top Score is improving all the time.”
The official Super Saturday trial, the course and distance Listed Al Bastakiya, was won by Cosmo Charlie (USA), never headed under Sam Hitchcott for Doug Watson but another with a wide draw to overcome.
“We wanted a low draw but find ourselves in 15,” groaned Watson. “We are going to need some luck from out there but at least the horse is in great form.”
South African Mike de Kock, has won the race six times and saddles a fascinating contender in the shape of Fawree (USA), who unseated Bernard Fayd’Herbe as the stalls opened in the Al Bastakiya.
An impressive 1,600m maiden winner at Meydan prior to that, he has undergone stringent remedial work on his gate manners which, reportedly, have worked well.
“He is a very good horse but always had an issue with the gates,” said De Kock. “Hopefully we have resolved that and he can put his best foot forward on Saturday.”
Perennial Irish champion trainer Aidan O’Brien won the race in both 2012 and 2013, with Daddy Long Legs and Lines Of Battle respectively. He saddles both Lancaster Bomber (USA) and Spirit Of Valor (USA).