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Red Desire Raring to Go

DUBAI — Japanese coach M Matsunga said it was not the prize-money which influenced their decision to send the filly to the $10 million Dubai World Cup.

“She’s a smart filly and she can handle the All-Weather surface as efficiently as she does with the turf track. But, the owners opted to try something new for her and fortunately Red Desire won the third Round of the Maktoum Challenge Gr-2 in great style,” he told the newsmen at the Meydan training facility on Tuesday morning.

When asked about the chances of the filly in the race, Matsunga told reporters to be patient and wait until the race gets underway.

“It will be good to see her winning,” he said.

“She’s training well and as I have said she’s handling the Tapeta in great shape. I think we have to wait and we will find out,” he said.

Meanwhile, veteran Japanese trainer H. Matsuda who will saddle Buena Vista in the Dubai Sheema Classic Group-1 said he knows his mare but has no idea about the rest of the field.

“It’s a competitive race and is going to be very tough. I’m confident that she did nothing wrong and is training honestly and keenly but nobody knows what could happen tomorrow.

“I won’t talk about my chances because it’s not going to be one horse race,” he said.

However, the third Japanese trainer M Kon who sends Laurel Guerriro to the 1200 AW Dubai Golden Shaheen Gr-1 spoke in a different language.

“My horse will win the sprint challenge,” he confirmed. “Laurel Guerriro has a good speed and has every chance to make his presence felt. What makes sure is the way in which Red Desire performed when the Japanese filly won the third round of the Maktoum Challenge,” he said.

French trainer E. Libaud said they were forced to go to the $10m Dubai World Cup since there is no turf race that would suit his horse better.

“Dubai Golden Shaheen’s trip over 1800 metre is too short for Vision D’Etat and the 2410 metre Dubai Golden Shaheen is too long, therefore we had to go for the distance of the Dubai World Cup on the account of the surface,” he said.

Speaking about the chances of his horse, Libaud said they didn’t go fast in the work-out and right now they won’t be able to decide anything.

“I think we have to wait to find out how he will be performing during the race,” he said.