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Charlie Appleby anticipating bold Breeders' Cup showing from Wuheida

3 minute read

Charlie Appleby is confident Wuheida can make her presence felt in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Del Mar on Saturday.

Wuheida
Wuheida Picture: Pat Healy Photography

Having rounded off her juvenile campaign by claiming Group One glory in the Prix Marcel Boussac, the Dubawi filly has been campaigned exclusively at the highest level in 2017.

Although she has failed to add to her tally, she has performed with credit in the Falmouth at Newmarket, the German Oaks at Dusseldorf, the Matron at Leopardstown and the Prix de l'Opera on her return to Chantilly last month.

The three-year-old missed an intended appearance in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup at Keeneland due to a foot issue, but has remained in America since, giving her plenty of time to acclimatise.

Appleby said: " She did her main work yesterday (Tuesday) and she looks great, I really couldn't be more pleased with her.

"She's had a great preparation for this, everything has gone well. She will have a little blow on Thursday and she will be ready.

"I was going to run her in the QEII, but she developed a corn. She's been down here since October 25 - I like it when you can give them a bit more time to settle in. Prior to that she was in Kentucky for two weeks.

"The race itself is competitive, as you would expect, and I am respectful of the American favourite (Lady Eli) and Rhododendron, but we are drawn well and we have to take advantage of that, hit the gate and make the most of it.

"If she brings her Matron or Opera form to the table, I feel she will be bang there and the cheekpieces that have been added just to help her concentrate as well as the trip, which is her optimum, make things perfect."

Wuheida is one of two Breeders' Cup challengers for the Newmarket-based trainer, with Masar a major contender for Friday's Juvenile Turf.

The son of New Approach won the Solario Stakes at Sandown in September before placing third behind Happily in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere.

Appleby added: " Masar stretched nicely up the straight and the key is getting him on to a sound surface, as it will be. In the Lagardere, the ground was too soft.

"Like Wuheida he is a strong traveller and I'm hoping he will be up there in contention and then get the luck he needs in the straight."

The Godolphin handler is making his first visit to Del Mar, and said: "This track is tighter than Santa Anita but my horses have shipped well, are training well, look great and deserve to be bang there."


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