3 minute read

Continuing an impressive line of star Japanese fillies and mares to invade for the Dubai World Cup card, Sunday Racing's Chrono Genesis commands her own overdue spotlight on March 27 in the Group 1, $5 million Longines Dubai Sheema Classic.

The stunning stone-grey daughter of 2004 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) winner Bago will hope to follow in the hoofprints of such luminaries as Buena Vista and Gentildonna (both owned by Sunday Racing), as well as To the Victory, Vivlos, Deirdre and Almond Eye--all fillies or mares who won or placed in Dubai World Cup night Group 1s.

Like Gentildonna, Vivlos, Deirdre and Almond Eye, the Takashi Saito trainee impressively won the third leg of the Japanese Triple Crown for fillies, the 10-furlong Shuka Sho (G1), hinting that her best was to come. Overall, she has three G1 wins, including a pair against the boys, the 11-furlong Takarazuka Kinen and December's 12.5-furlong Arima Kinen--both prestigious affairs on the Japanese calendar. Sporting seven wins and five placings from 13 starts and a trajectory still on the up, the 5-year-old half-sister to 2020 Hong Kong Cup (G1) winner Normcore comes to the UAE on a rather captivating mission to stamp herself as one of the world's top gallopers.·  

"After winning the Grand Prix Arima Kinen, she went to Northern Farm's Shigaraki branch to have a break and she resumed her training there," Saito said. "Since she has come back to Ritto Training Centre in the end of February, she has been training well and has been in good condition. She had a final gallop on the 15th at home before her Dubai Trip. She moved beautifully and responded very well. 

"I think she has improved a lot, both physically and mentally," he continued. "She used to be more temperamental before, but she is getting more mature. Even after the gallop day, she has settled well." 

Adding depth to Chrono Genesis ' resume has been marked versatility, including winning from 1600m to 2500m and over various types of ground. The good-to-firm expected going of Meydan and 2410m should be within her scope as she tackles such heavyweights as Saudi Cup winner Mishriff, American champion Channel Maker and G1 Hong Kong Vase victor Mogul. Doubts as to how she stacks up against the very best can be quelled quickly by watching her game third to Almond Eye in November's G1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) over 10 furlongs. ·    

"She is a very versatile type of horse, handling any distance," Saito explained. "She can be more patient than she used to be when racing. As she won at 2500m last out, the 2410m is not her issue. 

"I went to Dubai in 2010 when I worked (as the work rider of DWC Carnival winner Red Desire) for Mikio Matsunaga. I think the Meydan course seems to be easy to handle. Even those who run for the first time over the course have no worries to run." 

On Saturday morning, Chrono Genesis got her first look at the main track at Meydan after clearing quarantine. She hacked just over a lap of the dirt course at 5:00 a.m. and was accompanied to and from the track by sprinter Red le Zele (Dubai Golden Shaheen) and Vin de Garde (Dubai Turf). Barely turning a hair, she appeared quite content during the entirety of her time under the Meydan lights. 

"She can handle any distance, any track and any track going," Saito concluded. "She is always giving her best to us, so I hope she will be able to show her talent to all. She will be scheduled to (breeze) next Tuesday under her regular jockey Yuichi Kitamura." 

Much like her name implies, Chrono Genesis has been a development over time--but now is the time for the rest of the world to indulge. 

IN BRIEF:

Godolphin's G3 Dubai Millennium winner and 10-furlong course record holder Star Safari has been invited and accepted his invitation for the Dubai Sheema Classic, joining Charlie Appleby-trained stablemate Walton Street in the field. Appleby withdrew Art du Val from the Dubai Turf, but still has Al Suhail in the race... Simon Crisford-trained A'Ali is reportedly out of the Al Quoz Sprint, per Dubai Racing Club officials... Rodaini, an open-length winner of the Jebel Ali Classic on Friday, has a consequently boosted rating of 106, was invited to the Godolphin Mile and was accepted such by trainer Satish Seemar and owner Touch Gold Racing... Gladiator King missed a work because of a foot abscess and will thus miss the Dubai Golden Shaheen for Seemar and RRR Racing. The same connections also have Switzerland in the race.