UAE: The Dubai World Cup card has lost one of its biggest names with news that Japanese Derby winner Do Deuce, favourite for the Dubai Turf, has been scratched from the $5 million contest owing to lameness.
British-trained Shelir also misses the race for the same reason, leaving a field of 14 headed by Do Deuce’s Japanese compatriot Serifos and Lord North, who is bidding for a hat-trick after dead-heating 12 months ago with World Cup-bound Panthalassa.
Do Deuce beat subsequent Horse of the Year Equinox – who heads the field for tomorrow’s Sheema Classic – by a neck to claim the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) in May last year.
Although the son of the late Heart’s Cry was well beaten behind Alpinista on a trip to Europe for the Arc, Do Deuce was made favourite for the Dubai Turf by bookmakers after a fluent G2 victory on his 2023 debut last month’s Kyoto Kinen at Hanshin.
He was due to be ridden by Japanese legend Yutaka Take in the Dubai Turf before being found to be lame on his near-fore at Meydan on Friday.
"After training, I noticed something was wrong,” said trainer Yasuo Tomomichi, speaking to Netkeiba. “As this is a horse with a future, I decided not to overdo it and scratch him.”
With six previous winners inclduing Tomomichi-trained Vivlos in 2017, Japan has an excellent record in the Dubai Turf. Their hopes now rest with Mile Championship hero Serifos, who is now market leader in European betting lists, and compatriot Danon Beluga.
Tomomichi, meanwhile, will now rely on Champions Cup (Japan Cup Dirt) winner Jun Light Bolt on World Cup night, when the six-year-old is partnered by Ryan Moore in the $12m feature.
Jun Light Bolt was last seen finishing seventh behind Panthalassa over a furlong shorter trip in the Saudi Cup. “He was a little tired after the Saudi Cup and it took him a while to get over it, but that fatigue has gone now,” said Tomomichi, speaking to the Dubai Racing club media team. “He is in better shape than he was before the Saudi Cup and I think he will finish off strongly.”
French maestro Andre Fabre saddles three runners at Meydan: recent Prix Darshaan winner Junko (Dubai Turf), Botanik (Sheema Classic) and Egot (Godolphin Mile).
“I was a little bit worried that this would come too early for them from my point of view,” said Fabre. “There was a problem with the plane so they might be a bit short of work. But they look well and they didn’t lose too much weight so Im happy.
“Junko has the ability,” Fabre added. “What worries me is the rhythm of the race. In France they go slow and they’re not used to the rhythm so we’ll see how that goes. But he has the talent, that’s for sure.”
Speaking of Botanik, Fabre added: “He’s not one of the leading chances but he’s going to be competitive and he’s a fighter. I’m happy with him.”
• Visit the Dubai Racing Club website
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