Weld hoping to break Breeders' Cup duck

One of the surprising statistics to have emerged in the build-up to Mustajeeb's run in the $2million Breeders' Cup Mile tomorrow (2340 Irish time) is that Dermot Weld has yet to saddle a winner at what is one of the biggest meetings in the world.

Weld has broken down barriers for European trainers in international events, and is most renowned in America for Go And Go winning the Belmont Stakes in 1990.

Along with Alain de Royer-Dupre, he is also the only European to have won the Melbourne Cup, which he claimed twice with Vintage Crop (1993) and Media Puzzle (2002).

Mustajeeb arrives at Santa Anita with strong form claims, having won the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot and having just been touched off by Bow Creek on Irish Champions Weekend after a mid-season break.

Weld said: "He has been a very consistent horse all year.
"The ground wasn't right for him when he was beaten by Kingman at the Curragh in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and he was beaten by a very good horse at Leopardstown last time.

"Toronado will obviously be hard to beat and the French filly (Veda) of the Aga Khan's is smart, but we have a good draw and a good jockey (Pat Smullen). He ticks all the boxes and we are all set."

Smullen expects his mount to have improved for his last run, telling At The Races: "I'm really looking forward to him.

"He seems to have travelled over well, I sat on him the other morning and everything seems to be going to plan, so hopefully he'll run a big race.

"The boss gave him a good, long break after Ascot and that (Boomerang Mile) was always going to be his next race.

"We got a little bit further back than ideal and we'd be hoping he'll improve from that run to leave him spot-on for this race."

Richard Hannon's Toronado won the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot before going down to three-year-olds Kingman and Charm Spirit on his next two outings.

"Touch-wood, things have worked out well for us, especially with the draw, because if you are drawn right on the inside you can get into trouble early on," said Hannon.

"But when you are in the middle like we are, you can hit the gate and get a position.

"While the turn is a bit of an unknown for him I think he has got the speed to adapt and he is an intelligent horse."

Harry Herbert, racing manager for owners Al Shaqab Racing, said: "He seems in good form. He looks fantastic and seems to be hanging on to his coat. We're very happy with him.

"On ratings, he has a favourite's chance, but, as we've seen many times in the past, horses may have the highest ratings but have never seen this track and the rhythm of the race is completely different to what they've been used to at home.

"You've got to hope he'll adapt to that and if he does and he runs to his rating, then you'd like to think he has a real good chance.

"He deserves to be here, that's the main thing. He's a fantastic racehorse.

"He's got a hell of a record and a real good record this year. His last performance in France was very good, with the winner going on to win the QEII, before that he was second to Kingman and he won the Queen Anne before that.

"He's the right piece of kit to be bringing here and because Olympic Glory is under the same ownership, he hasn't had a hard season."

Freddy Head has an unbelievable Breeders' Cup record as a jockey and trainer thanks to wonder-mares Miesque and Goldikova, and brings Anodin to the contest.

Head said: "He comes to the Breeders' Cup in the best condition of any horse I have been associated with that has run at this meeting.

"Of course, he is not as good as Goldikova, but he may not have to be.

"He will be suited by the flat track, as well as its sharp nature and the two turns.

"I think European racing was not ideal for him, because most of the tracks there are galloping in nature, and this (Santa Anita) puts the emphasis on speed."

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