Forever Young, always fortunate in the draws, will break from gate 6

The Japanese star will seek another resounding success on Saturday in the Dubai World Cup (G1) at Meydan, facing only 8 opponents

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special for Turf Diario).— Under an atmosphere that combines the sumptuousness of Meydan with the unavoidable tension of a region crossed by armed conflicts, the post position draw for next Saturday's Dubai World Cup (G1) finished outlining this Wednesday a map of strategies where the Japanese titan Forever Youngcommands all the attention. This is no ordinary edition; geopolitics dictates a strange pulse in the stables, but on the track, the son of Real Steel will seek the glory that narrowly escaped him last year, breaking this time from gate 6.

His trainer, the charismatic Yoshito Yahagi, was satisfied with the result of the draw: "I wanted from the middle outward, so I am pleased," he stated, knowing that from that position Ryusei Sakai will be able to manage the timing of a reduced field of nine contenders. Beside him, in gate 5, will start the defending champion Hit Show (Candy Ride), whose rider Florent Geroux showed no major concern about the proximity to the Japanese favorite: "It doesn't really matter to him," the jockey sentenced, trusting in the adaptability of Brad Cox's pupil.

Initial speed promises to be a determining factor and the approaches from the inside are aggressive. Scott Blasi, right-hand man to Steven Asmussen in the preparation of Magnitude (gate 1), was clear about his intentions: "It's a short field and I think the 1 of 9, with our speed, gives us many options. I think he likes to be well-placed in front and we have won many big races from the one," he confided regarding the son of Not This Time.

Right next to him, Meydaan (2) will try not to get trapped in the initial traffic. Simon Crisford admitted regarding the Frankel colt: "We would have preferred to be a bit further out, but we don't want him to get boxed in. The pace will be more intense than on Super Saturday, but we are happy."

For his part, Bhupat Seemar trusts in the power of Walk Of Stars (Dubawi) from gate 3: "It's a perfect draw. He has a lot of speed and from the 3 he can dominate and show his natural rhythm."

That interior speed is precisely what Jamie Osborne, trainer of Heart Of Honor (Honor A.P.) (4), analyzed: "Walk Of Stars is inside of us and will go fast; we won't! Before the draw I thought I wanted to be further out, but on balance I think it's fine. I didn't want the 1 or the 2 to get trapped against the rail, although we could end up there because of the pace that will be inside."

On the outside of the field, strategies are based on freedom of movement. Imperial Emperor (Dubawi) (7) will have a direct stalking tactic on the favorite. Seemar explained it with precision: "The 7 is perfect. Forever Young is inside and is going to be the favorite; he is the horse to follow. Tadhg O'Shea can jump and follow him, hopefully to the finish line, and maybe we can be a head or a length in front."

Further out, Tap Leader (Tapiture) (8) will seek clean air according to Doug Watson: "We wanted to be outside. A couple of times he got into the middle of the mess and we had to hold him in his last race. From the 8 he should maintain his momentum all the way."

Finally, Tumbarumba (Oscar Performance) will close the line from gate 9. Hamad Al Jehani, his trainer, was optimistic: "I am very happy. With only nine horses, the 9 gives us options to choose the best spot during the running."

The historic day, which will have prizes totaling 30.5 million dollars, also defined positions for its other major chapters.

In the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1), the star Calandagan (Gleneagles) will start from gate 2 in a field of 6 where tactics will weigh more than the draw.

In the Dubai Turf (G1), Ombudsman (Night of Thunder) will break from the 7, with the defending champion Facteur Cheval (Ribchester) beside him in the 6. The sprinters of the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) will see Bentornato (Valiant Minister) jump from gate 2, while in the Al Quoz Sprint (G1), the notable Lazzat (Territories) (7) will seek to take revenge on Reef Runner (The Big Beast) (5), who defeated him in the 1351 Turf Sprint (G3) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Dubai prepares for an appointment where turf racing attempts, once again, to be the sole protagonist on the dirt of the Emirates.