Cape Blanco Arrives in Dubai as Gio Ponti Improves

With the 2011 Dubai World Cup promising to be a fascinating iteration of the world’s richest thoroughbred race, there are still a number of contenders set to make their Middle Eastern debut. Chief among them is Irish runner Cape Blanco (Galileo) who landed in Dubai this morning and is said to have travelled well.

It could certainly affect the betting markets now that punters have been assured that Cape Blanco’s first attempt on the Meydan surface will be in the World Cup itself, with no official pre-race workouts scheduled.

A number of the other major fancies for the Dubai Carnival showpiece were on the gallops on Tuesday with Gio Ponti (Tale Of The Cat) garnering some attention after looking a bit off on his Monday gallop. According to popular blog Dubai Race Night, “Gio Ponti looked better and seemed more acclimated this morning after appearing well worn following yesterday’s trackwork.”

Rumours that Gio Ponti did not travel well for last year’s Dubai World Cup were confirmed when he finished a beaten fourth. At the time of this writing, Gio Ponti is the leading American contender for Saturday’s big race.

With conditioner Christophe Clement in attendance, Gio Ponti impressed during a schooling session and a brief jog and gallop. Assistant trainer Christophe Lorieul spoke to the Racing Post, “he didn’t sweat as much… Gio Ponti has tended to be somewhat edgy and hit in training. He has travelled better this year and has kept his condition.”

Gio Ponti trades at 10/1 for World Cup glory.

Nick Zito’s Fly Down (Mineshaft) was also on the gallops on Tuesday and was said to be looking in cracking form as the 16/1 shot continues to improve.