Tamarkuz's odds reflect draw in Godolphin Mile

At the other end of the draw spectrum is Surfer (Distorted Humor), winner of

the Al Maktoum

Challenge Round 1 (UAE-G2) on the first night of the 2015 Dubai

World Cup Carnival. Trained by Satish Seemar, the chestnut gelding drew the dreaded gate 16 whereas stablemate Gold City (Pivotal), second to Tamarkuz

in his last two starts, fared a

bit better in stall 10.

"If any horse deserves a decent draw it is Surfer," Seemar bemoaned. "He has

been so unlucky with draws so many times. We have to hope but it will be little

short of a miracle if he was to win from there.

"With Gold City the draw is less of an issue as he comes from off the pace."

Richard Mullen rides Surfer with Marc Monaghan, unable to utilize his

apprentice claim, aboard Gold City.

Another local hope dealt a cruel post is Layl (Street Cry), to be ridden by

Pat Dobbs for Doug Watson.

"Disappointed would be an understatement, when I saw the draw," Watson

said of his charge drawing stall 14.

"Pat knows the horse well so we will probably just have to let the speed horses

get on with it and try to pick up the pieces in the straight.

"At least our horse will face the kickback and he is going to be a really

nice horse next season."

The Jeremy Noseda-trained Sloane Avenue (Candy Ride) was considered a Dubai World

Cup (UAE-G1) prospect but has been off the track since November. In his last

race the chestnut beat Dubai Turf (UAE-G1) runner Cladocera (Oasis Dream), who

has since gone two-for-two at Meydan this season, on the Kempton all-weather but also has a poor draw in 15.

Big-race jockey Frankie Dettori, who arrived at Meydan for the Breakfast With

the Stars, said, "I'd have preferred to be drawn somewhere in the middle, but

he's the best horse in the race and if I can get a clear run, he'll be knocking

at the door."

Noseda was on hand

for the first time to watch the four-year-old Sloane Avenue in action under

traveling groom

David Bradley. The pair completed a circuit of the main dirt track, stepping on

the gas in the straight.

"That was excellent, just what we wanted, because he did his main work last

Friday," Noseda said.

Trainer Eddie Kenneally was also looking on for the first time

this week after arriving in Dubai as his runner, Bradester (Lion Heart), galloped 2400 meters on the dirt under

exercise rider Julie Stormfelt.

"I like what I see," Kenneally said. "I hadn't seen him in a week (since the

five-year-old shipped to Dubai from Florida) and I didn't see any change.

Sometimes when they ship you can see the stress of the trip in the way they

look, but I didn't see any."

Kenneally also observed that Bradester seemed to be travelling well over the Meydan track, which he found to be similar to the surface at Churchill Downs.

Since Bradester typically likes to race close to the pace in his races, he

should be suited to racing at Meydan, he added, noting that horses with tactical

speed fared well in the dirt races during the Dubai World Cup Carnival.

While Bradester has not raced since last September, when he won the Ack Ack H.

(G3) at Churchill Downs and then was unplaced in the

Kelso H. (G2) at Belmont Park, Kenneally said the horse has

run well in the past after a break from competition.

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