Trainer Peter Snowden has expressed his contentment with Australian gallopers Sepoy and Helmet ahead of their Dubai debuts this weekend.
Peter Snowden has arrived in Dubai to oversee the progress of Sepoy and Helmet - photo (c) Taron Clarke
Snowden arrived in Dubai yesterday to oversee the progress of the pair, who will compete at Meydan Racecourse this Saturday March 31.
While Sepoy will line up for the $US2 million Golden Shaheen, Helmet will take on his own age in the Group 2 $US2 million UAE Derby.
Both Sepoy and Helmet have been training on the artificial track surface at Meydan Racecourse.
“It’s what they’re going to be racing on so they’ve got to get used to it,” Snowden said.
The trainer believes Helmet can show his true self this Saturday after being defeated in his two autumn race starts in Australia.
Helmet finished fifth in the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes at Flemington first-up, before finishing 12th in the Group 1 Australian Guineas after missing the start.
“He is usually as quiet as a mouse but he blew the start in the Australian Guineas at his last start and first-up he got cluttered up on the inside which made it very difficult for a horse that likes to free-roll,” he said.
The Exceed And Excel colt will go into the UAE Derby with a race record of six wins from 12 race starts and prize earnings of more than $1.56 million.
Sepoy has just one start in Australia this autumn, where he too failed to live up to expectations.
The Elusive Quality colt finished fifth in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate behind Woorim.
Sepoy has won ten of his 12 career stars and has earned an impressive $3.85 million in prize money.
Both horses will be permanently transferred to Darley’s Dubai stables after their performances on Dubai World Cup Night this Saturday.
