Chrono Genesis and Mishriff among top favourites for Sheema Classic

Longines Dubai Sheema Classic contenders Chrono Genesis (JPN) and her jockey Yuichi Kitamura have never before ventured beyond Japanese borders but connections are hoping the inexperienced travellers can combine to a lucrative success in Saturday’s standout turf contest.

It is ironic that the multiple Grade 1-winning pair should find themselves making a maiden trip abroad during a time when a global pandemic restricts travel and places racing behind closed doors.

Yet the lure of the Group 1 $5m Longines Dubai Sheema Classic was enough to get them on a plane and across to Meydan Racecourse.

Dubai Sheema Classic – the penultimate race in the card – will be led by Saudi Cup winner Mishriff in a field that also includes a trio of Godolphin entries – Charlie Appleby’s pair Walton Street and Star Safari, and Saeed Bin Suroor’s Dubai Future.

In a year of strong performances from Japanese fillies and mares, Chrono Genesis emerged as a genuine headline act and is the leading attraction from the 12-strong Japanese contingent at this Saturday’s Dubai World Cup meeting.

The Sunday Racing owned 5-year-old grey with a white star became only the second filly or mare after Lys Gracieux’s 2019 exploits to sweep the country’s two Grand Prix races, the Takarazuka Kinen in June and the Arima Kinen in December.

Now the daughter of Bago will make a seasonal debut in Saturday’s multi-national 2,400m turf race, taking on fellow Group 1 performers Mishriff (GB), Mogul (IRE) and Channel Maker (USA).

Chrono Genesis’s partner Kitamura is a 34-year-old who recently scored his 800th win on the JRA circuit.

“It’s my first time travelling overseas in my life, like Chrono Genesis,” he said. “Both of us are new faces here and I’m really enjoying staying in Dubai.

“I am very grateful to all her connections to continue to give me riding chances since her debut and I always keep in my mind that I have to fulfil their expectations by bringing out her best performance and best results.”

With lots of travel restrictions due to the pandemic, Japanese people have to be isolated for 14 days upon their arrival home.

“I am not really complaining about that,” Kitamura continued. “Rather if I were given a chance to ride her, I would go everywhere with her without any hesitation. I cannot miss anything at all from her and from experiences I have with her. So, when I was asked to ride her in Dubai, I couldn’t be happier.”

Chrono Genesis had a final gallop on Tuesday morning on the turf track with Kitamura on board.

He continued: “She kept really good condition even after her first long flight, and I have realised again how tough she is both physically and mentally. She has settled in well and has been relaxed in the barn.

“I understand it is going to be a competitive race against all the top-class horses. My only task is to bring her best performance in the race.”

John Gosden’s Mishriff has hogged the attention since his famous Saudi Cup triumph on dirt under David Egan and though he reverts back to turf for the Dubai Sheema Classic, he remains the one to beat alongside Chrono Genesis, and Adrian O’Brien’s G1 Hong Kong Vase champion Mogul.

Gosden, who shares a training licence with his father John in Britain, watched on as last month’s Saudi Cup winner Mishriff completed his preparations for Saturday’s big turf event with his usual spin around Meydan’s turf course.

“We look forward to tomorrow now,” said Gosden.

“As I said before he’s obviously been to Saudi and back and taken the travelling well. He’s a straightforward horse and, given he went from the cold at home to Saudi and then came back to the cold, he has taken it all very well.”