MIKE de Kock said today that Mubtaahij is “looking better than I’ve ever seen him” ahead of Saturday’s Gr1 Dubai World Cup, but the five-year-old drew 14-14 at Wednesday’s draw ceremony and that would have dampened spirits in the South African’s camp.
Mubtaahij. (Andrew Watkins).
Trevor Brown, assistant to trainer, said: “What can we do? We’re very happy with his progress since his last race. You have to take what you get.”
Star colt Arrogate drew stall 9 and trainer Bob Baffert said: “Nine is fine. The main thing for him is to get away then it’s up to Mike Smith to decide. I just didn’t want to be number 14 or on the inside otherwise it really didn’t matter. I know I have a great horse. If he just repeats his last race we’ll be in good shape.”
Earlier the UAE Champion Jockey, Trainer and Owner Awards were given out by the Chairman and CEO, Meydan Group Mr. Saeed Humaid Al Tayer. With 52 wins in the season, Richard Mullen was named UAE Champion Jockey, while 39 winners in the season gave Doug Watson a second consecutive UAE Trainer’s title. Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda’s successful season with 32 winners earned him the Owners title.
Here is a link to the final field and draws.
1 Comment
Never matter about the 14th gate. California Chrome was good enough last year. If Mubtaahij is good enough this year, he will beat this field. I still believe California Chrome to be better than Arrogate. Chrome should have won the Breeders Cup Classic had Victor Espinoza been more inspired. His defeat in the Pegasus World Cup was due to the knee injury. If Mike de Kock says Mubtaahij is at his level best and we’re sure to have Christophe Soumillon at his best [already leading the jockeys log in France], friends we’re not far from seeing Mike de Kock lifting his first Dubai World Cup.