• Home
• /
• Local Sports

Bin Suroor pin hopes on Cavalryman for victory

Upgraded to Group 2 status this year, the 3200m Dubai Gold Cup sponsored by Al Tayer Motors is the first of the Dubai World Cup day turf races and has been dominated by the Godolphin trainers since it was first contested in 2009.

Saeed bin Suroor will be seeking a fourth win in the race and saddles Cavalryman (GB), winner of the race last year and bidding to become the first dual winner of the most recent addition to the Dubai World Cup card. The comfortable winner of the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy, over 2800m, on his seasonal return four weeks ago, he looks the one they all have to beat.

However Bin Suroor’s chances of Group 2 glory in this race do not begin and end with Cavalryman. Stable companion, Songcraft (IRE), won a 2400m handicap at the Dubai World Cup Carnival in February before an excellent second in the Group 2 Dubai City of Gold on Super Saturday, over the same trip. Bin Suroor said: “Cavalryman won very nicely on his seasonal return four weeks ago and has been freshened up for this race. He won it last year so we know 3200m is fine and his last piece of work, last Saturday, was very good.

“Excellent Result has been running well and we hope the 3200m will suit him.” Star Empire (SAF), second to Cavalryman in the Nad Al Sheba Trophy, was fifth in this race 12 months ago and it is hard to see an obvious reason why he should reverse form with Bin Suroor’s crack stayer.

Third in the Nad Al Sheba Trophy was Irish challenger Certerach (IRE), two places ahead of compatriot Simenon (IRE) who was noted staying on strongly under jockey,