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Global Weekly Review - 07.03.16

J A McGrath
Meydan's 'trials day' lived up to its billing in no uncertain terms, and it is becoming clear that this year's G1 Dubai World Cup card on March 26 could be one of the most evenly-balanced and hotly contested in years.

Meydan's 'trials day' lived up to its billing in no uncertain terms, and it is becoming clear that this year's G1 Dubai World Cup card on March 26 could be one of the most evenly-balanced and hotly contested in years.

The G1 Jebel Hatta provided the confirmation that Tryster is a globetrotting star in the making for Godolphin after the gelded son of Shamardal displayed a dazzling turn-of-foot with which only the best racehorses can identify.

Jockeys never want to commit to a big statement in their assessment immediately after a race - at least, the wise adopt that approach - so William Buick's cautious reply that Tryster is "one of the best I've ridden" is worthy of note.

So, too, will be Tryster's performance when he lines up against a true 'heavyweight' in this division, Solow, in the G1 Dubai Turf on the big night. If they were marketing tickets for the most interesting clash, this head-to-head would be a sell-out.

Tryster was ridden with supreme confidence by Buick, who dropped him out the back early before easing him to the outside at the top of the home straight. He 'flew' in the final stages, running his last quarter-mile in 22.5 secs, a true indicator of class.

Trainer Charlie Appleby has been preparing Tryster in the tranquillity of Marmoom, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed's private facility, a 40-minute drive from downtown Dubai.

"He is one of the most intelligent horses I have come across," Appleby points out. "At home, he just does what he thinks is sufficient, and it is hard to get a true line on how he is going. But, come raceday, he is very different. His performances have been fantastic."

Tryster has now won 8 of his last 9 starts, the only blip coming in the G3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown Park in the UK. Initially, most pundits concluded he was simply a synthetic/dirt track specialist, but then he came to Meydan and confounded them.

"I really think he prefers a flat track, rather than a testing uphill climb, which Sandown is," the trainer said.

Solow will be a formidable opponent. This grey champion has won his last 10 starts on the trot. The last time he tasted defeat was in May 2014, when running over a distance just short of two miles (3,200m) on soft ground.

Trainer Freddy Head has already sent Solow for a pipe-opener this campaign, which he won, on the Chantilly synthetic track on March 3. Tryster's run against Solow will shape the Godolphin horse's plans for the season.

Trainer Roger Varian saddled Postponed for a first-up win for his stable, in the G2 Dubai City Of Gold, which puts the five-year-old son of Dubawi on target for the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, in which he can expect to meet Japanese star Duramente.

Varian took over the training of Postponed, and more than 20 others owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, from Luca Cumani at the end of last year.

Market Rally, carrying the colours of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, took the Listed Al Bastakiya, the 'trial' for the UAE Derby, which kept alive hopes that he could become a Dubai Triple Crown winner.

Special Fighter booked his ticket to the G1 Dubai World Cup when taking the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge (Round 3), which also completed a memorable dual-hemisphere G1 double on the day for Darley stallion Teofilo, whose son Palentino triumphed in the G1 Australian Guineas at Flemington, Melbourne.

Global Weekly Review