South Australian trainer Will Clarken will have dual representation at his first international foray when He’s A Balter (Spirit of Boom) and Parsifal (NZ) (Darci Brahma) run at Meydan on Saturday morning, New Zealand time.
Both gallopers have been entrusted to the care of Caitlin Jones who will also ride the pair in their respective races, both down the straight over 1200m.
He’s A Balter runs in the Dubai Sprint Consolation will Parsifal will line up later on the card in the Dubai Sprint.
Jones has been in Dubai for 10 days and said both horses had acclimatised well to their new surrounds after each lost around 10kg on the trip from Australia.
“Travelling horses is a big thing,” Jones told RSN.
“They are well travelled within Australia but flying horses across the other side of the world is different.
“They lost 10 kilos on the trip, but they were straight into their dinner on the night they arrived, and I was really pleased to see that from both horses, and they haven’t missed a beat since.”
Jones said she had been presented with a wonderful opportunity by Clarken and the connections of both horses.
She said she had not fully contemplated the line-up of jockeys she will be competing against which include the likes of Frankie Dettori, Mickael Barzalona, William Buick and James Doyle.
“It’s not just the riders I’m up against, but there’s some quality horses and trainers that are renowned here and have had great success here,” Jones said.
“For me it’s a dream come true, and I hope I can do these horses and everyone watching justice.”
Jones said she hopes He’s A Balter and Parsifal’s form stacks up at their debut runs in Dubai.
“Both races look like they will be run to suit, Parsifal’s especially,” Jones said.
“His last start in Melbourne was a very hot tempo race and he came from back in the field and hit the line strongly, but I’ll delve into that a lot more now that the fields are out.”
Parsifal has won five races for Clarken, having commenced his career in Victoria under Mike Moroney.
The Group Two placed galloper was bred by the Block Partnership and was purchased by Paul Moroney from Little Avondale’s 2016 Karaka Premier draft for $140,000.