Vivlos Revving Up
Defending champion Vivlos was brilliant taking the 2017 edition of the $6 million Dubai Turf sponsored by DP World (G1) and this year is apparently impressing her connections with her preparation for a defence.
“She is in even better condition now than she was last year,” said Yasuo Tomomichi, who trains the 5-year-old nearly black mare for former Seattle Mariners pitcher Kazuhiro Sasaki.
The daughter of the great Deep Impact has not won since overtaking Heshem and Ribchester in the final 100m last year and it appears she must fire her best shot to win this year, as two horses who have beaten her in the past back home, Crocosmia and Neorealism, are pointing toward the 1800m event. Japan’s quintet of possibles also includes 2016 Dubai Turf winner Real Steel and Deirdre, whose call to fame was a win in the Shuka Sho, much like Vivlos last year.
The Jebel Hatta (G1) will tell the locals a few things on Super Saturday, not the least of which is whether improving and recently dominant Benbatl can win at the top level. His well-fancied fellow Saeed bin Suroor-trained female companion Promising Run also sports a pair of Group victories during the Carnival and will get plenty of respect in the 1800m grass event. On the other side of Godolphin’s training ranks, Charlie Appleby will be represented by Folkswood, who was second in this event last year, third to the great Winx last fall in the Cox Plate (G1) in Australia and returned a smart winner here in the 2000m Dubai Millennium (G3) on February 22nd.
Perhaps the most intriguing horse in the race is Whisky Baron, who should improve off his game fourth last out in the Zabeel Mile (G2) behind Mike de Kock-trained fellow South African Janoobi. The stretch out should also be to the liking of the son of Manhattan Rain, as he won his country’s top event, the J & B Met (G1) over 2000m at Kenilworth 14 months ago.
There is a possibility of getting well-travelled Lancaster Bomber from Ballydoyle, but such has yet to be confirmed by trainer Aidan O’Brien and the now-proverbial Lads. Another from the yard’s enviable rolodex who may have it on his radar is G1 winner Deauville. More will be revealed soon, but one can be certain that whoever O’Brien deems worth sending is worth regarding highly for the prize.
In France, hopeful Trais Fluors ran well, but ultimately disappointed in his comeback race at Chantilly over its all-weather surface when second to Hunaina as the 4-5 favourite. Trained by Andre Fabre, the son of Dansili had been off 205 days and is a proven G1-level horse, having finished second to Thunder Snow in the Prix Jean Prat (G1) and a fine fourth in the Prix Jacques le Marois (G1).
Current Dubai Turf Possibles (not necessarily invitees): Vivlos, Benbatl, Lancaster Bomber, Deauville, Promising Run, Championship, Noah from Goa, Thunder Snow, War Decree, Janoobi, Furia Cruzada, Neorealism, Real Steel, Crocosmia, Deirdre, Trais Fluors
Unedited Press Release: Dubai Racing Club