Dubai: Dangerous Midge was probably Europe's biggest improver last season, when he closed out his campaign by landing the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) at Churchill Downs in November — having opened it by winning a handicap at Doncaster in England back in April.
He was only rated 88 at the time, a far cry from Group One form, but cantered home by five lengths at Doncaster, earning £6,500 (Dh38,757) in the process.
Nearly seven months later, the son of Lion Heart lined up for the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1). He had won twice more in England since his season debut, most notably taking the Old Newtown Cup Handicap by eight lengths at Haydock Park in July. But it was hard to see him as a contender.
Three weeks prior to the Breeders' Cup came an indication that he might just be — as Rainbow Peak, a horse he beat by four lengths in September, landed the Gran Premio del Jockey Club (G1) in Italy.
While Dangerous Midge was being rested the standard of his most recent performance was given a nice boost and he went in second favourite behind French-trained colt Bekhabad. With Derby and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Workforce absent, Behkabad was a heavy favourite, but struggled as the pace quickened around the home turn, just as early leader Champs Pegasus was joined by Dangerous Midge, who went on to win by over a length.
Solid field
It was not a particularly strong edition of the Breeders' Cup Turf, but the field was solid. To say it was a weak field would be way off the mark.
It was lacking a star, but one could well have emerged in Dangerous Midge. A late developer, he can improve again and it will be interesting to follow his progress this season. His trainer, who saddled David Junior to win the Dubai Duty Free (G1) five years ago, initially had thoughts of aiming the horse at the Dubai World Cup (G1), but decided against it.
Dangerous Midge will therefore be racing on the same surface and over the same distance as his best win so far, and he must be seen as one of the top contenders for this year's Sheema Classic (G1).
The writer is editor of www.globeform.com
