DUBAI // Satish Seemar will saddle only his second Dubai World Cup runner on Saturday after Surfer was added to the field for the world's most valuable horse race at Monday's declaration.
Surfer will line up alongside 15 others at Meydan Racecourse, including Cat O’Mountain, who was also added to replace his Godolphin stablemate Hunter’s Light, who now runs in the Dubai Duty Free.
Surfer and Cat O’Mountain were third and fourth respectively behind Prince Bishop in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 on Super Saturday two weeks ago.
Surfer will be ridden by regular partner Richard Mullen, while Mickael Barzalona will ride Cat O’Mountain.
Godolphin will also run African Story with Silvestre de Sousa on board and Prince Bishop, who again will have Kieren Fallon in the saddle.
Seemar’s only other runner in the World Cup was Richard’s Kid, who finished 12 of 14 in 2011 and the Zabeel Stables trainer hopes for much better from the horse widely known as the best maiden in training until he broke his duck in December.
“I spoke with the team at Zabeel, with Richie, and with the owner Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed, and they all said the decision lies with you, so I made the rational choice,” Seemar said about deciding to pitch his charge into the biggest test of all.
“He is the right horse for the right race, and he has been there or thereabouts in the past four Maktoum Challenges.
“He is a very talented horse, but has been unlucky with draws. He will run an incredible race.”
Seemar will also send out on Saturday Reynaldothewizard to defend his crown in the Dubai Golden Shaheen, Gold City in the Godolphin Mile and Ralston Road in the Dubai Gold Cup.
He oversaw all four in work yesterday morning and was bullish about the chances of his quartet. “Reynaldothewizard is my best chance of the night and I expect him to win,” Seemar said.
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