Trainer Eoin Harty has something of an advantage this year in that his Dubai World Cup (Gr.1) hopeful Well Armed traveled to the UAE in 2008 and was good enough to finish third in the world’s richest race. Thus, he knows what to expect from the six-year-old son of Tiznow as far as the travel and the track at Nad al Sheba are concerned.
There’s one other thing that Harty knows, too.
“They don’t give away the US$6 million,” he quipped on Monday. “But I’m happy to be in the position that I’m in.”
While Harty pointed out that other World Cup prospects such as Shadwell Stable’s Albertus Maximus, Japan’s Casino Drive and 2007 UAE Triple Crown winner Asiatic Boy will be tough opponents, he said Well Armed is training superbly and is getting ready for a big effort. On Monday, the gelding turned in an easy five-furlong breeze in 1:00.40 at Santa Anita Park.
“He worked really well; he’s on target,” Harty said. “He’s really come around of late, and he’s certainly doing as well this year as he did last year.”
When asked what he might have learned from the 2008 experience in Dubai with Well Armed that might be helpful this year, Harty laughed and said: “I learned I just couldn’t beat Curlin.”
Well Armed will have another workout on March 16 prior to his departure to Dubai the following day and then a breeze over the Nad al Sheba surface prior to the World Cup on March 28, Harty said.
In other workout action on Monday, Dubai Duty Free (Gr.1) candidate Kip Deville breezed six furlongs on a firm Gulfstream Park turf course in 1:19 for trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. The move was the second at that distance for the four-time Grade 1 winner in less than a week following a clocking of 1:16.80 on March 3.
Meanwhile, Dubai Sheema Classic (Gr.1) contender Marsh Side turned in a flashy seven-furlong workout at Hollywood Park on Sunday, stopping the clock in 1:25.80, fastest of three moves at the distance.
No comments:
Post a Comment