Heartbreak City set for Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan

Heartbreak City seeks to add another feather to his globetrotting cap when he lines up for the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan.

Trained by Tony Martin, the versatile seven-year-old shot to prominence when winning the Galway Hurdle in July and raised his stock even higher in claiming the Ebor Handicap on the Flat the following month at York.

Heartbreak City did not run again until he got to within a head of recording a famous triumph in the Melbourne Cup in November, and his one start since came over hurdles at Leopardstown in January.

Martin and his enthusiastic group of owners have again secured the services of Joao Moreira, who rode the horse at Flemington and recently went into the history books when partnering eight winners on a single card at Sha Tin.

Martin said: "We arrived over here on Thursday and the horse seems in good form. He worked (on Friday morning) and we were very happy with him.

"Things have gone well since Leopardstown, so we're just keeping our fingers crossed and hoping for the best.

"Hopefully he'll give a good account of himself."

Taking high rank in a strong field is the Roger Charlton-trained Quest For More, winner of the Prix du Cadran last season and only half a length behind Sheikhzayedroad in the Long Distance Cup at Ascot.

Charlton said: "It's a strong race and there isn't a lot between any of the top four or five horses in the race.

"Jamie Spencer rides him. He rode him once last year and he rode him again at Kempton in a bit of work a couple of weeks ago and was really pleased with him.

"We think he's moving really well and each year he surprises us as he keeps on improving. We're there with a fighting chance.

"After the Dubai Gold Cup, there isn't a lot for him back in England until the Ascot Gold Cup.

"Prior to that, you're going to be running in Group Threes with a Group One penalty for, dare I say it, not much prize-money so he'll probably prep up for the Ascot Gold Cup after Saturday."

Sheikhzayedroad reopposes for the David Simcock team, while French challenger Vazirabad, who enjoyed a satisfactory prep run when second over a mile and three-quarters at this track in February, defends his crown.

His trainer Alain du Royer-Dupre said: "Last year Vazirabad had to battle to win. It was a hard race, as he hadn't had a prep race.

"So this year we thought it better to bring him over early and give him a run.

"He doesn't do much in the morning. Since we have had him, we have always known that he is better on his second or third start.

"He is the same horse as last year, just that bit older. He did his final piece of serious work last week but was pretty fit anyway after his race last month. I was very happy with him."

Big Orange was second to Vazirabad 12 months ago before he went on to record back-to-back wins in the Goodwood Cup.

Trainer Michael Bell said: "His preparation in England has been very good and he's settled in very well here. His weight is bang on.

"We're in good shape. I think it's a stronger race this year. There's far more depth to the race but after seeing the replay of last year, he ran a huge race.

"It's their (owners') choice (to have Frankie Dettori ride). Jamie (Spencer) has a great record on the horse but Frankie is a world-class jockey and he's got a very good record in Dubai.

"He's a good friend of the owners and he's a good friend of mine, so fingers crossed.

"I think Goodwood is very much on his agenda. The Ascot Gold Cup could also be on the radar so we will get this race out of the way and organise his season after that.

"Certainly defending his crown at Goodwood is bang up there."

Aidan O'Brien's Kingfisher found only Trip To Paris too good in the 2015 Gold Cup at Ascot but missed the whole of 2016.

O'Brien's son, Donnacha, told the Dubai Racing Channel: "He showed how good he was when he was unlucky not to win a Gold Cup two years ago.

"He was a little disappointing in a Melbourne Cup and picked up a little injury, so he's been off for a while.

"But he's got a lot stronger since then and we think he's going to be a good horse this year.

"We think the fast ground in Dubai will really suit him."

Improving mare Beautiful Romance won a Group Two in Australia for Saeed bin Suroor before he defeated Vazirabad last month.

Bin Suroor said: "She worked very well on Sunday and was very pleasing when landing the Nad Al Sheba Trophy.

"She was a good seventh over this trip in the Melbourne Cup so the distance should be fine, but this is a stronger field than for her last win."