(from Dubai Racing Club)
Big race jockey Yutaka Take is scheduled to partner Japan's Dubai World Cup hope Kane Hekili at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse on Wednesday morning, as the build-up continues to Saturday's US$21,250,000 Dubai World Cup meeting, the world's richest day of racing.
Take has partnered the Katsuhiko Sumii-trained Kane Hekili in all of his Group One victories including the 2005 Japan Cup Dirt (Gr.1) and most recently a three length win in the February Stakes (Gr.1).
On Tuesday morning Kane Hekili had an easy hack canter around the Nad Al Sheba dirt track. Sumii's other two runners were also out on the track, Flamme de Passion, who runs in the US$2,000,0000 UAE Derby (Gr.2), sponsored by Saeed and Mohammed Al Naboodah, and Hat Trick, who will take his place in the US$5,000,000 Dubai Duty Free (Gr.1), sponsored by Dubai Duty Free, the second leg of the Asian Mile Challenge.
Also out on the track was Kojiro Hashiguchi-trained pair of Utopia, Japan's flag bearer in the US$1,000,000 Godolphin Mile (Gr.2), sponsored by Jebel Ali International Hotels, and Heart's Cry, who runs in the US$5,000,000 Dubai Sheema Classic (Gr.1), sponsored by Nakheel.
Yuichi Kamata, assistant trainer to Mr. Hashiguchi, said, "Utopia and Heart's Cry cantered once round. It is a cool climate here in Dubai and both horses seem to be fine. They both travelled here to Dubai with no problems."
Dubai Duty Free runner-Asakusa Den'en, winner of the Yasuda Kinen (Gr.1), cantered twice round the track, picking up the pace in the final 400 metres (26.1s).
Hideyuki Mori runs three horses at the Dubai World Cup meeting, Star King Man (Dubai World Cup (Gr.1)), Gaburin (UAE Derby (Gr.2)) and Agnes Jedi in the US$2,000,000 Dubai Golden Shaheen (Gr.1), sponsored by Gulf News. All three were out stretching their legs on Monday morning.
After watching the horses Mr. Makiura, assistant trainer to Mr. Mori, said "The climate in Dubai is very good for the horses, especially in the morning. Agnes Jedi was a bit delicate about the change of surroundings and was off his food, but he is eating really well now. All the horses will be doing a strong piece of work tomorrow (Wednesday)."
For further information:
Click on the 2006 Dubai International Racing Carnival Weblog at
http://carnivalblog.dubairacingclub.com/
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