French handler Andre Fabre, who is hoping that Talismanic can provide him with a victory in the Dubai World. (Photo credit: (DRC/Neville Hopwood).
French handler Andre Fabre, who is hoping that Talismanic can provide him with a victory in the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline on Saturday, hardly needs an introduction.
A 24-times champion trainer in France, he was the first European trainer to make it onto the honor roll of the Breeders’ Cup Classic thanks to the unheralded Arcangues. He has also scored in countless classic races like the Epsom Derby, the Prix du Jockey Club, as well as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, which he has lifted an astonishing seven times. The one race though that has eluded him so far is the Dubai World Cup.
Fabre, who is Godolphin’s main trainer in France, has been to Dubai many times, but the striking Talismanic, whose bold face and white stockings attracts attention wherever he runs, might be his best chance yet to win the big race.
“Talismanic has always been a very good horse,” confirmed Fabre, who is based in Chantilly, France. “Remember he was fourth in the Prix du Jockey Club at three and that was the year that the horse was affected by the virus.”
The virus, which struck his yard in 2016, today is only a distant memory and certainly hasn’t stopped the 5-year-old son of Medaglia d’Oro and Magic Mission from turning into a top-class performer. When he lined up at the start of the Breeders’ Cup Turf in Del Mar last year, he might have only been a Group 2 winner, but that quickly changed when he was launched down the straight by Godolphin’s jockey Mickael Barzalona.
For the latest Dubai World Cup betting odds go to USRacing.
“In France, most of the time there was no pace and so he had to make the running,” the trainer said. “The only race where there was some pace was the Prix Maurice de Nieuil (G2) where he came from behind and showed some acceleration. And that was the same in the Breeders’ Cup where he also came from behind. In races with no pace it is easy to get trapped.”
There should be ample pace in this year’s edition of the Dubai World Cup, but it will be Talismanic’s first attempt on the dirt and his trainer admitted: “I have to be fair, there is still a question mark about the surface. I didn’t want to run Talismanic and Cloth of Stars in the same race and Talismanic was in great shape, so I thought I’d line him up in this race.
Fabre concluded: “I don’t know what sort of chance he has, I have no idea. It is a big race with the horses from North America and Japan. It is very exciting, and I respect all the American horses, but there is no Curlin or Arrogate this year.”
An Andre Fabre trained contender always commands respect and Talismanic is no exception. On Saturday the seasoned traveller will be ready for the big moment and should he take to the surface, he could well provide Fabre with one of those few podiums that are still missing in his illustrious career.
Appleby Looks to Strike Gold for the First Time
Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby is looking to his brilliant Gold Town to fulfil a lifetime ambition and provide him with Dubai World Cup night win in the US $2 million UAE Derby sponsored by The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group.
British-born Appleby is entering his fifth full year as trainer to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s operation but has yet to saddle a winner on this dazzling global stage.
He came closest when Ahtoug was beaten a neck in the Al Quoz Sprint of 2014 and Gold Town holds the leading claims in the UAE Derby after two runaway wins at the Dubai Racing Carnival.
“I have spoken to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed about the horse and we are all hopeful,” Appleby said.
“I am excited and have always been lucky in this position in that I have never had immense pressure put on me and therefore that allows everyone to do their job and make the right decisions.
“I have not had a winner on Dubai World Cup night yet so that is on my bucket list. I say to all the lads that it is an achievement to get a horse to World Cup night and anything on top is a bonus.”
Gold Town will be trying to go one place better than his father Street Cry did in the UAE Derby seventeen years ago and heads into Saturday’s race after stunning victories in the Guineas Trial and the UAE 2000 Guineas Sponsored By Al Tayer Motors (G3).
“What we have all seen out here has visually been very impressive,” Appleby said. “We were hopeful that he would do what he has given he is by Street Cry and we have had this as our target from a long way out. It doesn’t always work out but so far he has done everything that has been asked of him.
“He ticks a lot of boxes – he has home advantage, he has had two runs on the surface and is a Guineas Trial and a Guineas winner but is taking on a different calibre of horse this time. This is going to be a big step up for him but he goes into it in great order.”
Street Cry went on to land a Dubai World Cup the year after finishing second in the Derby and Appleby is plotting for Gold Town to be back in 2019.
“There is no doubt he is a better horse on this dirt surface,” the Marmoom-based trainer said. “He is by Street Cry and my own personal view is they like a nice flat track, the undulations in Europe don’t suit them so there is no point running on a track that doesn’t suit.
“Even if he doesn’t go to America he will stay on dirt and come back here next year for the Maktoum Challenges and we will see where we go.”
The American trip Appleby refers to is a possible run in the Kentucky Derby, and he added: “Everyone is asking if we are going to go to the Kentucky Derby but everyone will find out what we are doing at the same time I do. It’s a point-based entry system so he needs the points but he needs to go and win on Saturday to justify going. If he wins he will be going, if he gets beat he probably won’t.”
And a win on Saturday would be much more than an entry ticket to Kentucky, it would be a lifetime dream achieved for Appleby.
