Gio Ponti Eyes 2011 Dubai World Cup

Personally, I'm glad to see that Gio Ponti is going to stay in training and race again in 2011. I'm also glad to see he's going to get another crack at the 2011 Dubai World Cup. As he was the best finisher of all the horses, 4th, that shipped to Dubai strictly for that one race. However, I do think that Gio Ponti, and any other big name horses that may ship over to Meydan again for just the Dubai World Cup may very well encounter the same problem that they had in 2010. The main track at the new Meydan facility is now synthetic. Tapeta to be precise. No longer conventional dirt like the old Nad Al Sheba facility was. That brings world class turf horses into play for the World Cup too. Plus, in the 2010 Dubai World Cup. The top three finishers in the race, Gloria De Campeao-winner Lizard's Desire-2nd and Allybar-3rd were all three horses that showed up and raced from the very beginning of the Dubai Racing Carnival in late January. All three had at least 2 or 3 win's under their belt at Meydan prior to running in the Dubai World Cup. I suspect the 2011 Dubai World Cup may very well end up that way again. JMO.

at this time he is the best 1 1/4 miler running. He needs to get closer to the pace in case they slow it down like last year. On that suface its a crapshoot anyway

A mile & a quarter-not his best distance anymore, but with this purse -third or forth is still a great payday!