Dubai: Trainer Herman Brown expressed concern over Linngari being drawn in stall 16 for the second time and hoped for some luck at least during the race.
"It is just amazing to think a horse can draw the same gate 16 for two years in a row. Obviously I am concerned about the draw. He at least needs some luck in the running," said Brown, who also has Jay Peg in the DDF (Group 1) in what is expected to be one of the toughest races of the seven slated for Dubai World Cup night.
Linngari came up with a searing finish, but lost to a better horse in Admire Moon last year in the same DDF race and Brown said his 6-year-old is in 'fantastic' shape.
"He won a good race here. He has been here for some time and is really going well at the moment. The good thing is that he seems to come right just when we need him to," said the South African, who is yet to taste success on the big night.
Commenting on Jay Peg's chances, Brown said the 4-year-old bay colt had won two Group 1 races in South Africa. "Jay Peg has also displayed some steady form in the Carnical. He is peaking at the right time."
Better credentials
When asked to choose between the two, Brown said: "It is hard to choose but I would say Linngari has the better credentials. It all boils down to who can handle the situation better on the night."
Meanwhile, Darjina, among the favourites in a race that has 11 Group 1 winners, was out working yesterday morning even as the Breakfast with the Stars was on. Alain de Royer-Dupre watched Darjina breeze round the track, expressing a mixture of optimism and realism regarding the chances of the four-year-old.
"I am hoping that she is at her peak though of course you cannot be entirely sure as this is her first start since December. It was the opposite story at the end of last year when it was the end of a long hard season and she may have been a bit tired."
Trainer Tony Cruz, who has Bullish Luck and Floral Pegasus running in this race said,"They have both got their chances but the better post position of Floral Pegasus might give him the edge. "
Gerald Mosse, lucky to have escaped with only a bruised arm after a dramatic incident in the stalls at Sha Tin on Monday, was brief but positive in his assessment of Floral Pegasus: "I would not swap barrier three with anyone."
Latest odds
7-2 Literato (from 4), 9-2 Creachnadoir, Darjina, 10-1 Admire Aura, Vodka, 12-1 Finsceal Beo (from 14), 14-1 Floral Pegasus, 16-1 Archipenko, Linngari, Majestic Roi, 16-1 Bullish Luck, 20-1 Seachange, 25-1 Niconero, 33-1 Jay Peg, 33-1 Lord Admiral, 33-1 Notional.
