Heavy Metal Weighs In
While much of the talk about the Godolphin Mile sponsored by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum City – District One (G1) is about American invader
Sharp Azteca, no dirt miler in the world has been more impressive this year than
Heavy Metal and the speed demon will go for yet another Group victory in the $200,000 Burj Nahar (G3) on Super Saturday.
Mickael Barzalona rides from the outside post 13, which could easily be to his advantage when avoiding an early squeeze and assuring clearance with his usual burst out of the barrier. ‘Mr. Godolphin Mile’ trainer Doug Watson will send out graded stakes-placed Kimbear and Keeneland track record setter
Drafted, with the former expected to show much more speed out of the gate and the latter a confirmed closer.
Last year’s Godolphin Mile (G2) runner-up
Ross, one of the more vocal horses on the grounds during morning track work, brings back-class and some impressive morning gallops that hint that a step up is possible. Hong Kong raider Classic Emperor will get a second chance at a full race with the jockey in the saddle when he breaks from post seven under rising star of the saddle Oisin Murphy.
Elsewhere, a pair of Japanese dirt horses appear to be on their way in
Adirato and
Akito Crescent, according to JRA officials. The former is a stunning horse on the physical whose three wins have all been at 1400m. Last year, he was a disappointing 12th in the UAE Derby (G2) after a poor draw and showing speed.
Akito Crescent, one of the rare sons of American champion and breeding-ambivalent War Emblem, was a good third in the Tokyo Chunichi Sports Hai Musashino Stakes (G3) over this trip on left-handed Tokyo Racecourse in November. A dual stakes winner, he took the 1400m Galaxy Stakes on December 24th and returned to finish 12thin the Negishi Stakes (G3) over sloppy conditions.
Current Godolphin Mile Possibles (not necessarily invitees): Heavy Metal, Ross, Kimbear, Boynton, Classic Emperor, Adirato, Akito Crescent
Unedited Press Release: Dubai Racing Club