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If confidence wins races then Satish Seemar's Little Jim looks a done thing in tomorrow's UAE Derby (Gr 2), one of five thoroughbred races on the $6 million Dubai World Cup (Gr 1) card.
Seemar was yesterday oozing confidence as he talked up his horse's chances, despite the fact that his horse will be giving weight to six of his eight rivals.
"I think he has a good chance," said the former three-time champion UAE trainer. "He got bags of ability and speed.
Despite his one eye he goes like a champion."
Besides the weight disadvantage, UAE 2,000 Guineas winner Little Jim will have to overcome the disappoint of losing to Petit Paris following a slow start in the Al Bastikiya, his intended prep race for the Derby.
"He'll learn a lot from that defeat," said Seemar who was encouraged by a smart 46.29s his horse clocked when breezing over 800 metres in his last piece of work at Nad Al Sheba.
"He's a horse who needs a little bit of reminding. He lost the last race, where because of the start he did not run up to expectations. We brought him back to Nad Al Sheba for his last work just to wake him up and remind him of what he's got to do on race night."
Seemar also believes the wide outside draw of stall nine will help his horse who is blind on his right side.
"He'll be able to see the others on the inside and that should keep him competitive," said Seemar who worked with horse psychologist Monty 'The Horse Whisperer' Roberts prior to taking up the job at Zabeel Stables.
"I don't think we should have any excuses this time."
However, Seemar did admit to being concerned about Little Jim getting mile and a quarter trip of the UAE Derby.
"The furthest he's gone is 1,800, I only hope the extra furlong does not cost us," he said. "The weight could also be a factor.
"But he's a very genuine horse and I think he should run a big race, and with a little luck, we could win."
Seemar also saddles the filly Festive Style, winner of the Darley Cape Verdi Stakes on February 19.
"It's always tough to take on the boys but she's got a lot of heart," he said. "She hasn't run a bad race all season and I think she deserves to be in their with them."
The South African-bred filly was beaten a length and a half by Tamarillo in the UAE Oaks over 1,800 metres on his most recent start on March 11.
"She'll improve for the race," remarked Seemar. "It's hard to say just how good she is in comparison to the colts, but she will run her heart out."
LATEST ODDS
World Cup meeting
• Godolphin Mile (Gr 1) 1,600 metres
7/4 During, 7/2 Firebreak, 5 Cherry Pickings, 6 Inamorato, 8 Excessive Pleasure, 12 Tropical Star, 14 D'Anjou, 16 Conflict.
• UAE Derby (Gr 1) 2,000 metres
7/2 Little Jim, 4 Lundy's Liability, 4 Petit Paris, 6 Great Exhibition, 7Jack Sullivan, 7 Tamarillo, 11 Ascertain, 12 Festive Style.
• Sheema Classic (Gr 1) 2,400 metres
3 Fair Mix, 3 Polish Summer, 5 Warrsan, 9 Hard Buck, 9 Lunar Sovereign, 10 Martaline, 14 Grand Ekinoks, 16 Delsarte.
• Golden Shaheen(Gr 1), 1,200 metres
6/4 Cahun Beat, 9/2 Alke, 6 Meiner Select, 8 State City, 10 Feet So Fast, 12 Multidandy, 14 Tsigane, 16 Conroy, 16 Our New Recruit, 20 Tour Of The Cat.
• Dubai Duty Free (Gr 1) 1,777 metres
9/4 Bright Sky, 4 Crimson Palace, 5 Surveyor, 9 Evolving Tactics, 10
Paolini, 10 Refuse To Bend, 10 Sarafan, 12 Martillo, Right Approach
• Dubai World Cup (Gr 1), 2,000 metres
2 Medaglia D'oro, 2 Pleasantly Perfect, 9/2 Victory Moon, 8 Admire Don, 10 Grand Hombre, 14 Fleetstreet Dancer, 16 Silent Deal, 20 Domestic Dispute, 33 Dinyeper, 33 Regent Bluff, 66 Kings Boy, 66 State Shinto |
