UAE: Breeders’ Cup winner Rebel’s Romance heads a six-strong team across four races for Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby on the 27th Dubai World Cup programme on Saturday at Meydan [March 25].
There is always one question reporters can’t help asking of a top trainer before they send out several high-profile runners at a showpiece meeting: which one are you most excited about?
But instead of any probing, in this instance, the necessary information arrives unprompted. "Rebel's Romance is the one I am most looking forward to,” Appleby volunteered.
The four-year-old, who missed an intended start on Super Saturday owing to a minor inflammation, completed a G1 hat-trick on his most recent start when winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland in November.
After a five-month layoff, the Dubawi gelding faces strong competition in the $6m Dubai Sheema Classic, headed by Equinox, Japan’s reigning Horse of the Year, and his compatriot Shahryar, who won the race in 2022.
Nevertheless, Appleby is making positive noises about Rebel’s Romance, who is a 7-1 chance with British bookmakers, who make Equinox an even-money favourite.
“He is unbeaten in five starts over a mile and a half on turf, three of those at Group 1 level, including a Breeders’ Cup," said the trainer."You can’t really ask for much more than that.”
The Dubawi gelding already has victory at this meeting on his record - successful in the UAE Derby in 2021.
“Ideally, he would have had a race start leading into the big night, but he did a racecourse gallop ten days ago and we were delighted with that," added Appleby. "It’s a race of real strength in depth with form lines all over the world coming together, but he’s a terrific horse who has done nothing but improve as he has got older.”
Appleby runs two in the G1 Dubai Turf in the shape of Nations Pride (William Buick) and Master Of The Seas (James Doyle).
“Nations Pride is a very solid and straightforward horse," said Appleby. "You can pop him anywhere. He is a strong traveller over further so dropping back to nine furlongs won’t be a problem and I’d have no worries if he led.
"We were impressed with how he won the Dubai Millennium Stakes last month over ten furlongs. His preparation has been good.
“Master Of The Seas, on the other hand, needs the pace on to get his head down and the reason William is riding Nations Pride is because he is that bit more versatile tactically. It was a bit frustrating for Master Of The Seas in the Jebel Hatta last time when he was an unlucky loser. The early part of the race was a bit messy, he got shuffled back before finishing very strongly.
“But he’s always been a very good horse. He was a short head second in his 2,000 Guineas, so he definitely has the ability to be right in the finish if things drop right.”
Appleby is doubly represented again in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup via Siskany (William Buick) and Global Storm (James Doyle).
Appleby said: “Siskany comes here on the back of a win over one mile six furlongs last month. I see he is favourite on the early markets and I think he’s a worthy favourite. He is in very good order, he has that course experience, he is drawn to get the cover he needs and he has very good acceleration.
“He has never gone two miles before so it’s possible the petrol gauge will be flashing towards the end, but his class should take him a long way.”
“As for Global Storm, he won the City Of Gold on Super Saturday when he was ridden forward. I’d expect he races fairly close to the pace again and he can take a sit if others want to force the pace.
“It will be his first time over the distance, but he was strong at the finish over 12 furlongs on Super Saturday and there is plenty of stamina on his dam’s side of the pedigree. He won’t look out of place in a very competitive race.”
Completing the sextet is Al Suhail in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint down the Meydan straight.
“He is going back to six furlongs,” said Britain’s champion trainer. “He has only tried it once, at Ascot last year but he did too much in front on softish ground and we can draw a line through that.”
“We have always felt this race would suit him. He certainly won’t lack pace and he is in great order. I think the draw could be a deciding factor in what looks a very open race.”
• Visit the Dubai Racing Club website and the Godolphin website
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