True Story Bids For Sheema Crown

Time/Date - 20.15hrs local time/Saturday, March 28, 2015
Racecourse/Country - Meydan/UAE
Surface/Distance - Turf/1m 4f

True Story makes a second consecutive appearance over 12 furlongs on turf at Meydan, UAE in the US$6-million Group One Dubai Sheema Classic Presented By Longines on Dubai World Cup night, Saturday, March 28.

The Saeed bin Suroor-trained four-year-old stayed on to finish fourth behind stable companion Sky Hunter in the Group Two Dubai City Of Gold Sponsored By Emirates SkyCargo on Super Saturday, March 7.

He was beaten two lengths when second to Vercingetorix in the nine-furlong Group Two Al Rashadiya Sponsored By Emirates Global Aluminium at Meydan on January 29, and started the year with a easy win over the same course and distance in the Listed Singspiel Stakes Presented by Longines Conquest Classic Gents on January 8.

True Story raced in the UK last year and ended his campaign with a fine second to multiple Group One victor Al Kazeem in the 10-furlong Group Three 188Bet Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor in August.

The son of Manduro was fifth in the Group One Coral-Eclipse, also over a mile and a quarter, at Sandown Park in July and finished seventh in the 12-furlong Group One Investec Derby at Epsom Downs in June.

James Doyle, who partnered True Story in the Al Rashadiya and Singspiel Stakes, takes the ride again.

Saeed bin Suroor commented: "I would like to see True Story prominent in the race though it depends what the pace is like.

"True Story won well first time out in Dubai this year over nine furlongs but I think a mile and a half is a better trip for him.

"The main thing for him is to be more relaxed in his races and we have been working on this."

James Doyle said: "True Story was fancied for the Derby (at Epsom last year) and is well thought of.

"He is a bit of a character all right but he has got a lot of ability. He will need to bring his A-game to the race which is full of top-quality horses.

"It will be tough but, if he is on song, he can run a respectable race. I think the trip is fine for him - it is more down to whether he is in the right frame of mind on the day."

True Story lines up against eight rivals including Japanese Grade One winner Harp Star, Hong Kong Vase victor Flintshire, three-time Hong Kong Group One winner Designs On Rome and Main Sequence, who has won four Grade One races in the USA.

Stowaway (1998), Sulamani (2003) and Rewilding (2011) have been victorious for Godolphin in the Dubai Sheema Classic.