Old Persian out to capture another international prize in Northern Dancer Turf
Old Persian, fresh from finishing third in the Longines Grosser Preis von Berlin last month, will bid for a second top-level success in the Northern Dancer Turf Stakes at Woodbine (11.17).
Trained by Charlie Appleby, the son of Dubawi won the Sheema Classic in March and faces five rivals at the Canadian track.
The four-year-old will be partnered for the first time by Jamie Spencer and Appleby believes the course will suit.
He said: "Old Persian ran a good race when coming back from a break in the Grosser Preis von Berlin. It was a steadily run contest and he just got slightly tapped for toe in the finish.
"He has travelled out to Canada in good form, has settled in well and we are hoping that the galloping track and long straight at Woodbine will play to his strengths.
"If he can reproduce the level of form he showed at the start of the year in Dubai, he should be the one to beat.”
Among the colt's opponents is the multiple Group-winning Tiz A Slam, who has yet to win at the highest level, and the consistent Sir Sahib.
Awesometank seeks top-level breakthrough
Awesometank, who produced a career-best effort when second to Sistercharlie in the Beverly D Stakes, seeks to improve on that run and reverts to a mile in the Woodbine Mile Stakes (10.42).
Trained by William Haggas, the daughter of Intense Focus has been consistent in Group 3s in Britain and looks set to continue her career in the states.
Haggas told Bloodhorse.com: "She ran a terrific race in Chicago. She upgraded her previous performances and the plan is to leave her in America now. After she runs in Canada, she'll go to Keeneland to run."
Her rivals include the Chad Brown-trained pair Raging Bull and Made You Look. The former, who won last year's Hollywood Derby, recently finished runner-up to the reopposing Get Stormy in the Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga.
Haggas will also be represented by Magnetic Charm, runner-up in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot, in the Grade 2 Canadian Stakes (9.30).
The daughter of Exceed And Excel was last seen finishing third in the Valiant Stakes at Ascot behind the John Gosden-trained Duneflower.
Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com
Published on 14 September 2019inInternational
Last updated 09:43, 15 September 2019
- Dubai World Cup rides set to be pivotal in new partnership between Kieran Shoemark and Gosden stable
- 'It gives you a degree of confidence' - positive signs for Eldar Eldarov following stablemate Charyn's Doncaster romp
- 'He looks a huge price at 16-1' - why this horse can win on Dubai World Cup night on Saturday
- Confirmed runners for the Dubai World Cup meeting at Meydan on Saturday
- Annaf joins Regional in missing Dubai World Cup night after suffering travel issue
- Dubai World Cup rides set to be pivotal in new partnership between Kieran Shoemark and Gosden stable
- 'It gives you a degree of confidence' - positive signs for Eldar Eldarov following stablemate Charyn's Doncaster romp
- 'He looks a huge price at 16-1' - why this horse can win on Dubai World Cup night on Saturday
- Confirmed runners for the Dubai World Cup meeting at Meydan on Saturday
- Annaf joins Regional in missing Dubai World Cup night after suffering travel issue