No prizes for identifying the star turn of the Dubai World Cup Carnival so far. Step forward Algiers, who shot to Dubai World Cup favouritism with another impressive display on Friday’s card [Feb 3] at Meydan.
Trained by the partnership of Simon Crisford and his son Ed, the six-year-old son of Shamardal produced a carbon copy of last month’s emphatic victory in Round 1 of the Al Maktoum Challenge with more of the same in Round 2 of the annual series.
Stepping up to 1m1½f in the G2 contest, Algiers scored by six lengths over Bendong – despite being caught wide around two turns under James Doyle.
Such a splendid display earned the gelding a 148pt boost on Thoroughbred Racing Commentary’s Global Rankings, where he now stands at #67 from #149.
What is more, Algiers is now generally available at 3-1 market leader with British bookmakers for the Dubai World Cup on March 25 – ahead of the likes of defending champ Country Grammer and Taiba.
Dubai World Cup entries: 21 countries represented on $30.5 Meydan card
“It was fantastic – he switched leads at the right time in the race and did what he had to do,” said Simon Crisford. “Obviously we’ll talk to his owner, Hamdan Sultan [Alsabousi], and make a plan now, but on the back of that effort we’ll have to strongly push for the Dubai World Cup.”
Algiers may first be headed to Riyadh for the Saudi Cup, the world’s richest race in Riyadh on Feb 25. “He’s the best we have in the UAE and this opens up options now, whether it be here or Saudi,” said jockey Doyle.
“It’s the furthest he’s run on dirt” added the rider. “I didn’t want to ride him aggressively, but he jumped so well I could have led. I chose to take him back and then one went up my inside and pushed me wide, so then he over-raced throughout. He did well to achieve what he has without ever being in a rhythm.”
After a luckless effort in the Hong Kong Sprint in December, Lucky Sweynesse (+169pt, #38 from #126) thundered to victory under Zac Purton at Sha Tin on Sunday [Feb 5] in the G1 Centenary Sprint Cup for trainer Manfred Man. Two days earlier, 65-year-old Man had been given an extension to continue training next season.
Although this was a first top-level success for Lucky Sweynesse, the four-year-old continues to close in on Wellington (#26, beaten a length and a half in second here) as the region’s top sprinter.
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Dubai World Cup entries: 21 countries represented on $30.5 Meydan card
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