DUBAI Yoshito Yahagi believes that overwhelming Dubai World Cup favourite Forever Younghas taken a step forward from his epic defeat of Romantic Warrior in the Saudi Cup (1,800m) in February.
The Japanese trainer said that the Riyadh stretch duel with Romantic Warrior in the world's richest race at US$20 million (S$26.9 million) has served to sharpen the blade ahead of the US$12 million Group 1 Dubai World Cup over 2,000m (sponsored by Emirates Airline) at Meydan on April 5.
"Of course he had a tough race and he was a little fatigued for a few days," said Yahagi. "My staff really did a great job in aiding his recovery and, from then, the plan was always to come here and compete in the Dubai World Cup.
"I think the extra 200 metres will be an advantage for him and also going four turns will benefit him.
"I've been asked a lot about how he has come out of the race and his overall condition and some people have been concerned. But I actually think that, having experienced that tough race, he has improved another level. I think it's all positive, I don't see any negatives."
Yahagi caused a ripple of laughter around the conference room when adding: "My young 'apprentice' jockey has really improved.
"We share our values and everyone understands my thinking about what we all want to achieve.I truly believe that I have the best team in the world."
He was referring to jockey Ryusei Sakai, an integral part of a team who also landed the Group 2 Neom Turf Cup (2,100m) on the Saudi Cup undercard with Shin Emperor, who is one of the leading hopes in the US$6 million Group 1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (2,410m).
"Shin Emperor really enjoys the environment here in Dubai," said Yahagi. "Maybe he's even a little bit too relaxed, so that's why we asked him for a little bit more yesterday (April 1) when we breezed him. We wanted him to be really ready.
"I haven't seen much improvement from last time. He has maintained a high level of form to be competitive in the Sheema."
Yahagi said that both colts were fine-tuned to produce standout performances at the world's richest single race day at US$30.5 million, even touching on future plans.
He said that he had discussed with owner Susumu Fujita about Forever Young staying in training at five and, after a return to the Breeders' Cup Classic later this season, the son of Real Steel could have a crack at a major turf prize before his career comes to an end.
Yahagi also looks set to aim Shin Emperor at a serious summer target in Britain.
The Group 1 International Stakes at York (2,000m) is the likely choice, as a lead-up to a second attempt at the Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2,400m) in which the French-bred son of Siyouni ran eighth to Bluestocking in last year's renewal of the iconic race that still eludes Japan.
Just one year ago, such lofty plans would have been dampened by heart-breaking near-misses.
Forever Young finished a narrow third in both the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby (2,000m) and the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Classic (2,000m) during his three-year-old season.
Shin Emperor was also third in the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes (2,000m), as well as going down by a neck to Do Deuce when dead-heating for second in the Grade 1 Japan Cup (2,400m).
Sakai summed up best the team's resolve to keep the juggernaut rolling this time.
"Last yearwe were unable to win a Group 1 overseas with these two horses. But this year we're coming back to win as many races as possible with them, and perhaps every race," he said.
For now, the Dubai World Cup takes centre stage for Yahagi, Sakai and Forever Young, with the trainer underlining how Japanese fans have grown to love the race.
"The Dubai World Cup is a race that in Japan we always want to win," said Yahagi. "In 2011, straight after a devastating earthquake in Japan, Victoire Pisa won it and Transcend finished second.
"That was meaningful for the people. They were encouraged by that and this race, which has a prestigious history, has become more and more popular." DUBAI RACING CLUB
