‘GOOD DRAW’ GIVES VOYAGE BUBBLE BEST CHANCE IN STRONG GROUP ONE DUBAI TURF

Ricky Yiu's star will jump from the inside alley on Saturday night, while Straight Arron cops gate 12 and California Spangle's connections are hoping history repeats

Ricky Yiu Poon-fai's Voyage Bubble has shortened in overseas fixed-odds markets after drawing barrier one for Saturday night's Group One Dubai Turf (1,800m) at Meydan.

In from $15 to $13 in a race featuring Do Deuce, Measured Time and Lord North, Voyage Bubble should be able to find a prominent position on the rail under Mickael Barzalona.

"It's a good draw. With the big, roomy track here, you save a lot of ground. It's definitely an advantage to have a good draw here with the big, wider turn," Yiu said, adding that he'll leave tactics to "the good jockey".

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"He's fine, he seems to be enjoying himself and he's adapted really well. We give him a bowl of feed and he finishes it in three minutes. Everything is in the right place."

Hong Kong's other Dubai Turf runner experienced contrasting fortunes, with Straight Arron drifting to $34 after being drawn in gate 12 of 16.

"It's not ideal but it is what it is. We'll get back and hopefully he can finish off nicely. He's going well so we're hopeful he can bring a peak performance," said trainer Caspar Fownes of his charge, who will have most of the Meydan back straight to find some cover.

California Spangle remains second favourite for the Group One Al Quoz Sprint (1,200m) after drawing gate five, the same alley as last year's blowout winner Danyah, while Sight Success has gate 12 after finishing fourth from barrier 13 in the race 12 months ago.

California Spangle races down the straight for the first time since his debut over 1,000m in June 2021 and tackles 1,200m for the first time since January 2022, but trainer Tony Cruz boasts some confidence.

"I think the 1,200m here, you need a 1,400m horse to do it. He could be the right horse to come here," Cruz said of his last-start Group One Queen's Silver Jubilee Cup (1,400m) winner.

"On his debut in Hong Kong over 1,000m, he won the Griffin race and he broke the class record and when he raced over 1,200m, he broke the Griffin record too."

Sight Success has mixed his form this season, winning a Group Two while finishing 12th in January's Group One Centenary Sprint Cup (1,200m), but trainer John Size is happy with how he is handling his second trip to the United Arab Emirates.

"He's done well, probably a little bit better than the last time he was here. He's a bit older, I suppose, and more relaxed," Size said.

"He sort of settled in straight away. I think it makes a difference being here a second time for him.

"He's in very good condition. I'm happy with him and the draw - it will depend on race day how the track is playing, but I'm OK with that. At least he gets a shot at going wherever wants to go."

Leading the Al Quoz Sprint market is Star Of Mystery, who has won two of her three Meydan sprints this preparation, while American galloper Casa Creed is popular with punters and Danyah is back to chase consecutive victories.

"It's an interesting race, it's an international field so obviously they can all run. It's hot competition, so it depends on who's doing well on the day. They're all good horses," Size said.