Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum's 'TDN Rising Star' Intilaaq (Dynaformer), winner of three of his five racetrack appearances to date including a latest five-length success in the G3 Rose of Lancaster S. at Haydock last August, took to the Southwell all-weather surface Tuesday morning as connections announced that the G1 Dubai World Cup could mark the homebred's first attempt on dirt.
Trainer Roger Varian sent Intilaaq to the Southwell fibresand surface to assess how the colt might cope with the kickback he would likely face at Meydan.
“It was really easy exercise for the horse, it wasn't a hard gallop by any stretch of the imagination,” Varian told Racing UK.
“We were just keen to bring him here, have a canter round and get him in behind one other and face a bit of kickback. I don't know how similar the surface is in terms of firmness, but it's the only place we can come and get any experience of kickback. On Polytrack you wouldn't achieve the same. If the World Cup is on the agenda it's likely we'll come back once or twice more and give him a bit more of a serious workout.”
Winner of his sophomore debut by eight lengths at Newbury last April, the bay was a well-beaten 15th of 18 behind Gleneagles (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 English 2000 Guineas, but regrouped to defeat G1 St James's Palace third Consort (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in the Listed Steventon S. in July. He validated long odds-on favoritism in the Rose of Lancaster, tugging his way to lead after the opening three furlongs before powering home to defeat his elders with authority (VIDEO).
“He's an improving horse, he finished off last season well,” Varian told RUK. “He's just a Listed/Group 3 winner, but he finished up 117-rated and we think he can bridge the gap to Group 1 company this year.”
By a sire known for his ability to thrown Grade I-quality dirt runners such as GI Kentucky Derby hero Barbaro and Perfect Drift, among others, Intilaaq's damsire Orpen is a half-brother to US Grade II dirt winner Jules, sire of such horses as GI Haskell Invitational S. victor and Classic-placed Peace Rules.
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