Raging Torrent is ready to take desert by storm
Assistant trainer Leandro Mora is pleased with US runner Raging Torrent, who has adapted well to his new surroundings as he gears up for the US$1 million (S$1.34 million) Group 2 Godolphin Mile (1,600m) on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan on April 5.
Trained by two-time Kentucky Derby winner Doug O'Neill, Raging Torrent is widely seen as one of the leading contenders in the Godolphin Mile.
If he wins, the Maximus Mischief four-year-old colt would be bringing up a third win for his Californian-based conditioner. O'Neill registered his first Godolphin Mile victory in 2007 with Spring At Last before Two Rivers Over's upset win in the same race on March 30, 2024.
On hand at Meydan when Two Rivers Over won in 2024, Mora was upbeat about a repeat feat for the second consecutive year.
"I was pretty excited. He (Two Rivers Over) was 30, 40 bucks to one buck (odds) in America and beat two to three tough horses that were running in that race," said Mora to Dubai Racing Club.
"It was more than what we expected, so we were very happy about it.
"He's (Raging Torrent) a great horse. We love him. He's very, very smart.
"On top of it, he's young and looks like he's a good traveller. Once he got here (in Dubai), he fitted right in, so let's hope he gives us his best."
Purchased from the 2023 Breeze-Up sale in Ocala, Florida for US$75,000, Raging Torrent last raced and won in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes (1,400m) with top Italian jockey Frankie Dettori at Santa Anita on Dec 26, 2024.
Before that, Raging Torrent fought hard to beat The Chosen Vron and secured victory in the Grade 2 Pat O'Brien Stakes (1,400m) on Aug 24, 2024.
Connections targeted the Godolphin Mile for Raging Torrent after his win in the Malibu Stakes and the two-time Group winner will have Dettori in the saddle again.
Besides Raging Torrent, the now US-based 54-year-old will take another ride for O'Neill at the Dubai World Cup meeting. He is also booked on Mixto in the highlight of the meeting, the US$12 million Group 1 Dubai World Cup (2,000m).
A winner of three UK champion jockey titles and 287 Group 1 races around the world, Dettori steered Mixto to fourth behind White Abarrio in the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (1,800m) on Jan 25.
Mora reported that the five-year-old son of Good Magic is in good order after his last-start fourth and Dettori was keen to get on top of the US-bred again.
"He's (Mixto) a professional. We are very happy we took our time with him when he was a three-year-old because he needed those small breaks," he said.
"What we liked most was when Frankie Dettori last rode him in the Pegasus and he came back and said to us, 'Believe me, I can get more out of that.' That's when we got a little happy about it that he's going to ride him. We're happy to have him (Dettori)."
Mixto has won twice in 17 starts, with the biggest win coming in the Grade 1 Pacific Classic (2,000m) at Del Mar on Aug 31, 2024.
The O'Neill yard will also saddle a second runner, Katonah, in the Dubai World Cup.
The Klimt six-year-old gelding ran sixth to Locked in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap (2,000m) on March 1. Prior to that, he landed a thrilling last-to-first win in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes (1,800m) on Jan 25.
"He's been a warrior ever since we acquired him," said Mora.
"He ran a very comfy race, but in Santa Anita, the very last race was a little uncomfortable. We already know what the jockey's going to do with him, so this week we have a better chance for him.
"He gave us a very nice race one time but during Del Mar, he faded a little bit. He's in his own world but he's got a lot of ability."
The Dubai World Cup night will feature six Group 1 races and three Group 2 races, with a total prize pool of over US$30.5 million.
sharonzhang@sph.com.sg
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