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Melbourne dream alive for Dubday

A crack at the Melbourne Cup is under serious consideration for Glorious Goodwood victor Dubday.

Dubday winning the Betfred Glorious Stakes (Group 3)
Dubday winning the Betfred Glorious Stakes (Group 3) Picture: Pat Healy Photography

Of all the Al Shaqab Racing-owned winners at the meeting last week, which was targeted by the Qatar-based organisation given the new sponsorship deal, few gave them greater pleasure.

Dubday is the champion thoroughbred in Qatar and is trained by Jassim Al Ghazali, becoming the first horse trained by a Qatari national to win in England.

His next race is due to be the Prix Foy, an Arc trial at Longchamp on September 13.

"All plans are fluid at the moment," said Harry Herbert, racing manager for Al Shaqab.

"At the moment we are thinking of taking him over for the Foy, sponsored by Qatar.

"After that we'll be having a serious think about the Melbourne Cup.

"I'd personally love him to go because he's a mile-and-a-half horse who stays further with a turn of foot, he ticks a lot of the boxes.

"I think he'd be competitive in it and how often are you going to come across a horse with the right credentials.

"So, it's strongly under consideration but obviously Sheikh Joaan will have the final word.

"He really likes the plan and unless you go out and buy a horse specifically for the race you don't get many opportunities to have a runner."


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