3 minute read
Since taking out his license just eight years ago, trainer Charlie Hills has rapidly proven himself one of the world’s prominent young conditioners,especially with turf sprinters
The winner of G1 contests in five countries and conditioner of swift standouts Battaash and Muhaarar kicks off his Dubai World Cup Carnival with, no surprise, a hard-knocking sprinter in the form of A Momentofmadness. Hills has the 6-year-old gelded son of Elnadim primed for opening night's $135,000 1000m handicap down the long Meydan Racecourse turf chute.
On Thursday morning, the Tony Wechsler and Ann Plummer-owned bay stretched his legs with an impressive drill on the Meydan training track's turf course at just past 8:00 a.m.
"I'm obviously looking forward to running during the Carnival and with (A Momentofmadness)," Hills said. "It's the first time he's ever travelled and I'm pleased with the condition he's in over there. He had his first canter (Thursday) morning and we're happy with him and looking forward to the handicap over five furlongs."
A winner of eight of his 38 starts, A Momentofmadness has proven a reliable type, finishing in the top three in half his starts, including a good third in the 2018 Prix du Gros-Chene (G2). He enters the DWC Carnival unraced since Sept. 14, when finishing second (of 22 starters) in a Portland Handicap defence attempt. The winner that day, 3-year-old Oxted, is now rated 109, while A Momentofmadness turns the new year at 97.
"He has a good record at Doncaster and I think he bumped into a really good horse that day," Hills continued. "Dubai has always been the aim since then and I think the track should suit him. He likes five furlongs and fast ground."
Another sprinter from the Lambourn-based yard set to arrive later today, Dec. 28, for the DWC Carnival is Juddmonte Farms homebred Equilateral, a Listed winner who has held some lofty company in 2019. The 105-rated son of Equiano is a candidate for the 1200m $175,000 handicap (90+) on Jan. 9, as well as 90-105 handicap over the same distance on Jan. 16.
