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INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FEBRUARY 3, 2015 Dubai: Vercingetorix a winner twice over Vercingetorix (Silvano) couldn't have looked any better in his triumphant return in last Thursday's Al Rashidiya (UAE-G2), throwing down the gauntlet to his prospective foes in the Dubai Turf (the rebranded Duty Free [UAE-G1]) on World Cup night. The Mike de Kock charge was clearly the one to beat on paper. Maintaining his unbeaten record through the 2014 Jebel Hatta (UAE-G1), the South African champion was subsequently runner-up to course record-smasher (and officially the world's best racehorse) Just a Way in last year's Duty Free. Vercingetorix suffered another honorable defeat next time in the April 27 QE II Cup (HK-G1) at Sha Tin, checking in third to local stars Designs on Rome (Holy Roman Emperor) and Military Attack (Oratorio), and beating Japan's Epiphaneia (Symboli Kris S) in fourth. That result looked even stronger by the end of the year: Epiphaneia crushed the Japan Cup (Jpn-G1), and Designs on Rome and Military Attack ran one-two again in the Hong Kong Cup (HK-G1). Unraced in the interim, Vercingetorix showed no rustiness at all in the Al Rashidiya. He broke on top, but immediately dropped his head and relaxed, as if to say, "OK, Christophe, where do you want to place me?" Soumillon eased him just off the pace, and traveling smoothly at every stage, Vercingetorix had the leaders' measure throughout. His biggest challenge figured to come from Godolphin's smart and race-fit True Story (Manduro), who just romped in the January 8 Singspiel on opening night of the Carnival. But with Soumillon still motionless, Vercingetorix sauntered up to True Story and dusted him. Soumillon kept his mount to his task under a mild hand ride, and the winning margin was a measured, gearing-down two lengths. As good as Vercingetorix looked, there remained one concern about his prospects of going one better in the Dubai Turf -- that this time around, he would bump into another wonder from the Far East, Hong Kong's Able Friend (Shamardal). If so, Vercingetorix might have gone down in history for his heroic losses, much like his Gallic namesake, who is remembered for his strenuous, yet ultimately unsuccessful, fight against Julius Caesar. But the Vercingetorix camp received some welcome news Monday when Able Friend was ruled out of a Dubai trip, according to the South China Morning Post. Vercingetorix is expected to defend his title in the Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday March 7, and should he come through in good shape, he'll be tough to handle on World Cup night. Rampant upside: Lightly raced filly Cladocera (Oasis Dream) was similarly convincing in the Cape Verdi (UAE-G2), where Soumillon likewise rode with justifiable confidence. Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre wasted no time in pronouncing his pupil ready for "real big races," and as a Dubai Turf nominee, she's likely on a collision course with Vercingetorix. The improving four-year-old wasn't meeting any world-beaters, but she disposed of them the right way. Well in hand as she loomed up to challenge, Cladocera noticeably lengthened on cue, leaned forward, and extended her neck to spear the air, as if to show unadulterated seriousness of purpose. Cladocera was making only her sixth start, suggesting that she has plenty of untapped potential. Although losing her way after two eye-catching wins to start her career, Cladocera was most recently a barnstorming runner-up in the November 19 Hyde S. versus males at Kempton. Her late thrust fell a neck short of Jeremy Noseda's useful Sloane Avenue (Candy Ride), who runs in Saturday's Donn H. (G1), and she passed him right after the wire. Finishing third was French Group 3 winner Graphic (Excellent Art), and the progressive multiple Group 3 scorer Captain Cat (Dylan Thomas) was a belated fourth as the 6-5 favorite. Quoz quest: Last year's Al Quoz Sprint (UAE-G1) near-misser Ahtoug (Byron) was entitled to move forward off his reappearing sixth in a January 8 handicap, and so he did to wear down Carnival newcomer Lancelot du Lac (Shamardal) in the final strides of Thursday's turf dash. Trained by Charlie Appleby, Ahtoug remains on course for another crack at Super Saturday's Meydan Sprint (UAE-G3), the prep for the Al Quoz on World Cup night. He lost narrowly in both last year, to de Kock's Shea Shea and Hong Kong's Amber Sky (Exceed and Excel), respectively. Shea Shea's since retired, and Amber Sky has been dealing with physical issues. But that's not to imply that the way is all clear for Ahtoug. For starters, de Kock has yet to unleash multiple South African Group 1 heroine Via Africa (Var). Also improving second time out was Sir Maximilian (Royal Applause). A subpar ninth in that same January 8 turf sprint handicap, the English shipper was a more characteristic third here, beaten about a length by Ahtoug. That pattern should fit the grand old Medicean Man (Medicean) next time, considering his fine effort in this seasonal reappearance. Now in his third Carnival, the nine-year-old delivered his trademark rally for fifth on Thursday, under the top weight of 132 pounds, despite getting shuffled back to last. Medicean Man was fourth in last year's Al Quoz, and on this evidence, he's still got the ability to factor. Draw a line through it: Banaadeer (More Than Ready) threw in a clunker behind Ahtoug, in a performance well below what de Kock had expected. Still a three-year-old in Southern Hemisphere terms, the South African import was handed a stiff assignment against these grizzled veterans, and it would have been understandable for him to be beaten for fitness and overall seasoning. Banaadeer indeed tired after flashing early speed, but then gave way and was pulled up unusually quickly after the wire. The stewards' report didn't record anything amiss. This A$700,000 Inglis Easter Yearling showed so much sparkle in his first two starts in South Africa, has so much pedigree power, and had de Kock giving such a positive forecast, that he will hopefully come on from this. Hunting season: Godolphin's Hunter's Light (Dubawi) scoffed at his top impost of 132 pounds, his 10-month layoff, and his wide trip from post 13 to outclass the field in the concluding turf handicap. It was great to see this multiple Group 1 veteran back on song after two forgettable runs here in 2014. Trainer Saeed bin Suroor mentioned the February 19 Dubai Millennium, over this same about 1 1/4-mile trip, as his next quarry. From there, however, his placement on World Cup night wouldn't be as straightforward. Hunter's Light is most effective in the 10-furlong range, as suggested by his victories in the 2012 Premio Roma (Ity-G1), Rose of Lancaster (Eng-G3) and Anatolia Trophy as well as the 2013 Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (UAE-G2) and Round 3 (UAE-G1). But he won't have a turf option in that wheelhouse on World Cup night. Might he try the World Cup (UAE-G1) again, this time braving the dirt? He was seventh to Animal Kingdom in the 2013 edition on Tapeta. Dirt postscripts: While last Thursday's dirt races weren't as compelling, there are a couple of footnotes worth mentioning. I'm Back (Exceed and Excel) made it two in a row in about 1 3/16-mile handicaps for bin Suroor. Making good use of his rail draw and tactical speed, he opened up decisively in the stretch. The well-bred five-year-old was reaching out beautifully over the surface, and bin Suroor told godolphin.com that he is a "different horse" with "better action on the dirt." Further class tests await, but I'm Back is an upwardly mobile type. United Color (Ghostzapper) turned in a close third in an about seven-furlong handicap, where he stayed on steadily as the co-highweight at 132 pounds. Previously third as the defending champion in the January 15 Dubawi S., the Dhruba Selvaratnam trainee was also third in last year's Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1). United Color was stepping up from about six furlongs for the first time in two years, and it will be interesting to see which way connections go next. In that same handicap, Another Party (Pomellato) blew his chance with a slow start and ground his way no closer than eighth. That was supposed to be his dirt experiment, so trainer Jamie Osborne (of Toast of New York fame) will have to go back to the drawing board. On tap: Reigning Dubai World Cup hero African Story (Pivotal) tops the early entries for Thursday's Maktoum Challenge Round 2, where he will put his dirt aptitude to the test, as will defending Round 2 champ Prince Bishop (Dubawi). Both are trained by bin Suroor, who has won the last three runnings and 10 overall. Godolphin has a total of four possibles in the U.A.E. One Thousand Guineas -- Yodelling (Medaglia d'Oro), Local Time (Invincible Spirit), Good Place (Street Cry) and Evening Rain (Raven's Pass). The last three are cross-entered to the Meydan Classic Trial on turf versus males. De Kock has Ad Idem (Jet Master) and Shahrasal (Shamardal) in the Guineas and four in the Meydan Classic Trial, led by South Africans Forries Waltz (Greys Inn) and Mastermind (Var). And the about 14-furlong handicap on the undercard should prove a stepping stone to the February 28 Nad al Sheba Trophy (UAE-G3). Check Tuesday's declarations for the final fields.
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