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Dubai Carnival

'It'll be some buzz to have a runner on Super Saturday' - Elliott's Meydan mission

Gordon Elliott: to have a Super Saturday runner in Dubai
Gordon Elliott: to have a Super Saturday runner in DubaiCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

March is always the biggest month of the year for Gordon Elliott for obvious reasons, but it will have extra importance this year as he hopes to strike on Super Saturday in Dubai with Coachello.

The five-year-old caused a 20-1 shock at Meydan on Friday when swooping late to deny the odds-on Man Of Promise in the Listed Dubai Sprint. It was only his fourth start for Elliott and the trainer thinks there could be more to come from the new star sprinter of his year.

The Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Sprint Trophy at Meydan on Super Saturday, March 4, is now the plan for Coachello, who runs in the increasingly familiar colours of Eamon Waters' Alymer Stud.

Elliott said: "It was brilliant for Eamon and everybody involved with Coachello to see him do what he did on Friday. It looks like he might be even better over 6f than he was over 7f, so you'd have to be thinking about having a crack at the big one on Super Saturday now.

"It's unbelievable to have a winner at the carnival in Dubai, incredible really. Every race over there is so competitive and to have a classy operator like Coachello operating over there at such a high level is great.

"I've always liked the horse from the moment he came into the yard and he has a lot of pace. He showed that on Friday and Pat [Dobbs] gave him a super ride. The Godolphin horse he beat is one of the best sprinters in the business, so it was a big effort."

Coachello won five times in France before joining Elliott in the autumn of last year. He was just touched off on his debut for the stable by Noble Dynasty in a conditions race at Lingfield in November and has progressed with each start at Meydan.

Last Friday was his first try over 6f and he seemed to relish it. Now Elliott wants to try to win the big one with him.

"Why not have a go?" he said. "He's an improving horse who has already beaten Man Of Promise and it will be some buzz for Eamon and everyone in the yard to have a runner on Super Saturday. I'm looking forward to it already."


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Deputy Ireland editor

Published on inDubai Carnival

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