CASPAR FOWNES BACKS STRAIGHT ARRON TO HOLD HIS OWN AT MEYDAN, SAYS ‘THIS HORSE HAS MORE QUALITY’

While Senor Toba felt the wrath of Equinox 12 months ago, the trainer believes his five-year-old is much better placed to make his presence felt on Dubai World Cup night

He didn't stand a chance against the might of Equinox with Senor Toba 12 months ago, but trainer Caspar Fownes is confident of a much stronger showing from Straight Arron on Dubai World Cup night this Saturday.

While Senor Toba finished last of 10, 13 lengths off Equinox, in the 2023 Group One Dubai Sheema Classic (2,400m), Fownes believes Straight Arron can make his presence felt in a Group One Dubai Turf (1,800m) boasting plenty of depth but nothing of the quality of last year's highest-rated horse.

"Definitely, this horse has got more quality than Senor Toba. Senor Toba is a real stayer, Straight Arron is quite versatile - that's why we've dropped him back to 1,800m for this race," Fownes said of his five-year-old, who was a last-start fourth behind Romantic Warrior in the Group One Gold Cup (2,000m) at Sha Tin.

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"Of course [it's a strong field], but that's the right way. You've got to see where you stand against those horses and see how he is travelling.

"If he can run in the first five I'd be very, very chuffed. That's what we're looking for. And to see how he goes against the other Hong Kong horse that beat him convincingly last time."

That other Hong Kong horse is the Ricky Yiu Poon-fai-trained Voyage Bubble, who finished the best part of four lengths ahead of Straight Arron in last month's Gold Cup, and is one of 10 Dubai Turf runners sitting ahead of $26 chance Straight Arron in overseas fixed-odds markets.

Voyage Bubble is equal sixth elect at $15 in a market headed by last-start Group One Arima Kinen (2,500m) victor Do Deuce ($4), recent Group One Jebel Hatta (1,800m) conqueror Measured Time ($5.5) and Lord North, who is considered a $9 chance of winning the race for the fourth year running.

Both Straight Arron and Voyage Bubble worked at Meydan on Wednesday morning, with Yiu's son Eric confirming the stable are thrilled with the condition of the latter after he travelled well and moved nicely in his turf hit-out.

Straight Arron galloped on the dirt ahead of his third nine-furlong test of the season, with the first two netting a fourth and a third at Group Three level.

"He's good, he seems to be bright and happy and he's eating well. He looks healthy, he's got a nice, shiny coat. He did a nice bit of pace work this morning, so let's see how we go," Fownes said.

Fownes is chasing a first overseas victory since Southern Legend's success in the 2019 Kranji Mile in Singapore, and a maiden Meydan triumph at the 13th time of asking.

Dubai beckons for California Spangle after brave Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup win

While Dubai glory has so far eluded Fownes, he has finished in the placings four times including Lucky Nine's third in the Group One Dubai Golden Shaheen (1,200m) in 2012.

Hong Kong's other World Cup night runners, California Spangle and Sight Success, also stepped out on Wednesday morning as they tune up for the Group One Al Quoz Sprint (1,200m).

Recent Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) winner California Spangle is $4.5 for his return to six furlongs, while Sight Success, who was fourth in the race last year but is out of form, is listed at $21.