Dubai: Several Dubai-owned horses led by the exciting Adaay are in the mix for Saturday’s Group 1 Sprint Cup which takes place at Haydock Park in North West England.
Trained by Derby-winning handler William Haggas for leading owner Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, Adaay is the ante-post favourite to win the British Champions Series event which has attracted 19 entries.
Among the large field are the winner’s of the last two runnings of the 1,200 metre contest - defending champion G Force, who represents David O’Meara and 2013 victory Gordon Lord Byron, who is trained in Ireland by Tim Hogan.
The winner of three of his last four starts, including the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes at Newbury two weeks ago, Adaay is among three Shaikh Hamdan representatives in the race - the others being, John Gosden’s Waady and Barry Hills trainee Markaz.
Shaikh Hamdan will be pleased to win another Sprint Cup having last won the race 25 years ago with Dayjur, the mount of champion jockey Willie Carson.
Haggas was optimistic about Adaay’s chances, despite the drop in distance from seven to six furlongs, and told the Racing Post: “There are no reservations about coming back in distance. He’s done us proud, winning two Group 2s, and we’re going for a Group 1. He prefers better ground.”
Andrew Griffiths, representing race sponsors Betfred added: “Adaay’s Hungerford form gives him a real squeak in the Sprint Cup and the support we’ve seen has been enough to move him into joint-favouritism.”
Godolphin, who sent out Diktat to win the Sprint Cup in 1999 retain faith in Belardo who is looking for a first success in five starts since landing the Group 1 Dubai Dewhurst Stakes last year.
The Dubai-owned quartet are joined by the likes of recent Goodwood scorer Magical Memory and veteran sprinter Sole Power.
Commenting on the chances of Magical Memory Sam Hoskins, representing owner Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds, said: “Everything is a bonus with him now.
“We took the advice of Frankie [Dettori] to supplement him for the race, yet ironically he has jumped ship and now rides Danzeno, which is probably a tip in itself.
“Silvestre de Sousa is going to ride him instead.
“He’s a great jockey who has been underrated for a long time and is finally getting the rewards he’s deserved.
“We’re aware it’s a big step up and if he could finish in the first six, that would be fantastic. To win it would just be a dream.”
Dettori is set to partner Danzeno for trainer Mick Appleby and his agent Ray Cochrane said of the horse: “He ran a cracker in the July Cup and the trainer thinks he’s an autumn horse so hopefully he’s got the form to win that race.”
