Sheikh Hamdan dismissive of ‘Chrome’ chances

Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum has expressed doubts about California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit)’s and fellow American raiders’ chances to succeed on Meydan’s new dirt track. Speaking to Khaleej Times Thursday morning after inaugurating the Dubai International Horse Fair, the UAE Minister of Finance said, “California Chrome is a very good horse and there’s no doubt about that, but the new dirt track at Meydan is not very similar to the American ones. But, if this race was to be staged on the previous Nad Al Sheba surface, I would have said that the American horses would be difficult to beat.” Sheikh Hamdan added, “The underfoot here is stiffer and the American horses are not accustomed to it.” Commenting on the likely verdict in the G1 Dubai World Cup, the Deputy Ruler of Dubai said, “I believe only the Godolphin pair [African Story (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) and Prince Bishop (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire})] and the Japanese runner [Hokko Tarumae (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn})] are the front runners for the trophy.” 

After 19 renewals of the Dubai showpiece, UAE owners hold a narrow advantage over their American counterparts, with nine wins to eight, while the single Japanese raider to have landed the spoils so far is Victoire Pisa (Jpn) (Neo Universe {Jpn}) in 2011. Godolphin is the owner with the highest number of wins, the blue silks having been carried to victory in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2012 and in 2014 by African Story (GB), who will face the starter this year again as he bids to become the first horse to take the race twice.