Monday, Mar 25, 2013
Dubai When Trinniberg bursts out of the gate to contest the $2 million (Dh7.34 million) Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) on Saturday, one thing is certain — he’ll be cheered passionately on by a significantly large family of horse lovers.
Shivananda Prabhoo, who trained the four-year-old son of Teuflesberg to win the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Santa Anita Park in California, revealed that 14 members of his family are in Dubai to support the colt, a $1,500 bargain yearling purchase who was acquired by Parbhoo for just $21,000.
American speedballs almost totally dominated the Golden Shaheen when it was run on dirt at Nad Al Sheba, but only Kinsale King has prevailed in the last three runnings of the 1,200m contest since its was held on the Tapeta.
While question marks remain over Trinniberg’s ability on the surface, Parbhoo has been buoyed by the work his star has been putting in since his arrival in Dubai last week. “I think he is liking the track,” Parbhoo said after his latest workout on Monday. “Hopefully, he’ll get a good start. In a sprint race, the start is so important. After that, we’ve just got to leave it up to him.”
Trinniberg has done the majority of his racing on the American dirt tracks where he has shown adaptability by winning on five surfaces at Calder, Belmont Park, Aqueduct, Gulfstream Park and Santa Anita. “I know he is going to run well,” added Parbhoo. “He’s shown us so much from the time he was a two-year-old. He is special. “And he’s happy - look at him. He did it so easy.”
Among the rivals he will face on Saturday include Godolphin’s Mental, the ante-post favourite and winner of the Al Shindagha Sprint and Irish raider Gordon Lord Byron.
By Leslie Wilson Jr Racing & Special ?Features Writer
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
