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Satish Seemar backs Surfer to shine

Satish Seemar admits he is taking something of a speculative punt on Surfer by elevating his runner from the Godolphin Mile to the Dubai World Cup, but he is adamant it’s worth the risk.

Surfer had been expected to contest the second outing on Saturday’s racecard, but he will now challenge for the lion’s share of the $10m on offer in the ninth and final run this weekend.

Gold City — who isn’t exactly a “shabby horse either” according to Seemar — will replace Surfer in the Godolphin Mile, while the plans for Reynaldothewizard and Ralston Road remain unaltered with trips in the Dubai Golden Shaheen and the Dubai Gold Cup respectively. “I just feel he’s the right horse for the right race, which is the Dubai World Cup,” Seemar explained. “Looking back and just visualising all of his races, I just thought he’ll be better off in the Dubai World Cup. I know we’re taking a big chance in the bigger company, but I’m ready to take it.

“In the last four Al Maktoum Challenges, he’s been up there — whether it’s second, third or fourth. “He’s over his mile trip and he needs a little longer. He will show that on Saturday. I’m pretty sure he’ll run an incredible race.

“He’s a very talented horse. He has just been a bit unlucky. He’s always been on the borderline and not made it and this Saturday is his fair chance and he will show his real talent there. I’m very excited that he gets to run the right distance and the right race. I’m very happy with the final preparations.”

Seemar then is seemingly more than satisfied with his quality quartet in the build-up, with a lot resting on Reynaldothewizard to claim the Dubai Golden Shaheen for the second year in succession.

“I thought that it was probably a one-off and that he’d peaked at the World Cup last year and that was it,” the Indian trainer added.