Caspar Fownes took the gate of his choice for Gun Pit at the G1 Dubai World Cup (2000m, dirt) barrier draw at Meydan this afternoon (23 March).
In a change to the draw format this year, horse names were pulled from a vessel one
by one and connections were then able to select their gate from any available. Gun Pit was first out and Fownes, with a full 12 to choose from, opted for three.
“I’m very happy with that, it was a great opportunity, to get first crack at the draw,” said the trainer. “We decided to take three – that gives us the chance to work out how the track’s playing on the night. If it’s one-dimensional, like it was last time we were here, we’ll take advantage and go forward; if it seems to be a fair track, we have the chance to just sit in behind the speed and see what happens.
“Realistically, he’s a top five finish, but if the track’s fair he has a chance to be in the first three or four.”
Likely race favourite California Chrome was second last to be drawn and will break from 11, while Godolphin’s Frosted will break from gate nine.
The computer decided the draws for the remaining races on the card. Fownes’ Domineer was berthed in five for the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200m, dirt).
“He’s got good gate speed but he musters up quick,” said the trainer. “Again we’ll see what the track is like with him – if it’s one-dimensional we can ride him accordingly and if it’s fair we can ride him one out, one back, which you’d think he’d get from that gate.”
In the same race, Hong Kong’s Rich Tapestry drew up against the inside rail in one, Master Kochanwong drew gate two, and Super Jockey gate six of 10.
Hong Kong’s remaining two Dubai World Cup meeting runners go in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint down the straight 1000m on turf. Last year’s runner-up Peniaphobia will break from gate five in the 13-runner contest, alongside Not Listenin’tome in gate four.