DUBAI, UAE. – I was delighted with the runs of both Key Of Destiny and Candidato Roy in the Longchamp International Stakes over 1200m on dirt at Nad Al Sheba on Thursday, 17 February, writes MIKE DE KOCK.
 
They were beaten just over fourth lengths into 4th and 5th respectively behind accomplished sprinter Conroy and there are good things to come for both.

Key Of Destiny had shown in work recently that he needs more ground, and after this race I am more than ever convinced that the time is right to put him back over a longer trip now.

He showed pace, stayed on well and wasn’t blowing afterwards, which shows that he is approaching peak fitness. I will be aiming him now at a race on Super Saturday, 5 March, either over a mile or 1777m on turf.

If one looks at this race in the context of weights against the older horses, Candidato Roy ran a massive race. He was niggled at early, moved up well and then faded, also indicating a need for further. He’ll go next for a race on dirt over 1600m on 5 March, and the UAE Derby is his long-term mission.

Royal Emblem ran many lengths off the winner in the UAE 1000 Guineas, but things didn’t go her way from a wide draw. She came five wide into the straight and pulled up coughing and full of sand.