Though the Dubai Millennium S. is Thursday's nominal feature at Meydan, there will be plenty of attention given to a 1900-meter handicap that will feature the dirt debut of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum's Ertijaal (Aus) (Hard Spun).
Winner of half of his eight career trips to the post, including the 2015 G1 Cape Derby, the chestnut made a favorable impression in his first local appearance, finishing a good second to Forries Waltz (SAf) (Greys Inn) in the G2 Al Rashidiya S. Jan. 28. Trainer Mike de Kock is keeping everything in perspective for now.
“He will either go well on dirt or he won't and if he doesn't we'll switch him back to turf,” the conditioned commented. “He's fit and very well, it's a competitive handicap, a real test but he is well drawn and I think he is massive runner even under his big weight [132 pounds].”
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