$1 million Dubai Gold Cup: Michael Owen's Panther ready to pounce

The longest race on the card and the most recent addition to the Dubai World Cup night card, having been added in 2012, is the $1 million Dubai Gold Cup, sponsored by Al Tayer Motors, a turf race for the stayers.

Brown Panther (GB), part-owned and bred by ex-England footballer Michael Owen, appears the star performer, having won the Group 1 Irish St Leger last year.

He is trained by Tom Dascombe, no stranger to Dubai success from his spell as assistant to Mike De Kock and the mount of Richard Kingscote.

The jockey was badly injured in the same Wolverhampton fall in November which saw Paul Hanagan out of action until the first night of the 2015 Dubai World Cup Carnival.

Significantly, Kingscote who broke a collarbone, wrist and elbow in the incident, not to mention puncturing lungs, has delayed further surgery on his elbow until November to ride here.

“The thought of riding Brown Panther at Meydan on World Cup night was all the incentive I needed to get back in action as soon as possible,” he said.

“My elbow requires another operation but I will wait until the end of the turf season in Europe. We must have a big chance on Saturday.”

The Godolphin trainers snared the first four runnings of the race and were just denied with the ill-fated Cavalryman 12 months ago.

Saeed bin Suroor is seeking a fifth victory having, won the race the first three years it was staged away from the big night, relies on Ahzeemah (IRE).

“He disappointed us last time,” said Bin Suroor. “He needs to bounce back but worked very well last week and is a nice horse.”

The Godolphin blue will also be sported by Marzocco (USA), trained in England by John Gosden and fifth in last year’s St Leger at Doncaster.

Subsequently gelded, he was a 3200m winner on the all-weather at Chelmsford and is running here rather than at Lingfield next Friday.

“He stays well and should enjoy the likely quick ground,” said Gosden. “He pleased us at Chelmsford and seems in good form.”

French challenger Bathyrhon (GER) holds strong claims, as does Dubday (GB) who has been a revelation since leaving Europe and switching to Qatar, where he is unbeaten.

The mount of Frankie Dettori, he is trained by Jassim Al Ghazali who continues to carry all before him in Qatar.

“We are very excited about Dubday,” said the trainer. “He was very unlucky here last year and has been in great form this season.

“Hopefully he runs well Saturday and we are hoping to take him to England with Glorious Goodwood in mind.”





 

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