BUR DUBAI: AN AUSTRALIAN CAMPAIGN IS HEATING UP
Ben Willis
  • Purchased from the Newmarket Tattersalls Sale in 2024 in partnership with Price Kent Racing the 4YO Night Of Thunder chestnut gelding continues to pick up from where he left off in the UK.

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    Optically, what excited the racing public was a 9.5L romping at Chester on 29 June over 2414m. Furthermore, Bur Dubai, had shrewd stakes form, finishing 6th (5.3L) in the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom in April. There have been strong formlines coming out of both these notable international races – Bellum Justum, the stakes race winner went on to win the Nashville Derby, and separately had been marginally defeated by international superstars, Jan Brueghel and City of Troy. Additionally, there have been 3 winners come out of the 9.5L annihilation.

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    Bur Dubai landed in Australia in October 2024, and has immediately slotted into his routine under the expert tutelage of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr – a Group 1 winning stable, who have a rich history of turning imports into stakes winners, ie I’m Thunderstruck. In Burs first trial he finished 4th over 1200m… in a field of 4, with all runners going to the line in unison like a marching band at a college football match. This was a nice tune up for his next assignment a 1500m barrier trial at Geelong on Wednesday, 29 January, where he once again finished 4th. It was the style, however of the trial, cruising through the line under a tight hold from rider Ethan Brown – he was certainly a sight to behold. The was scattered with some decent staying quality as well, Garachino was a winner over 2800m in a BM96 on Cup Day, Lasttochka finished 13th in the 2023 edition of the Melbourne Cup, and stakes winners Stockman and Aurora Symphony also featured back of midfield.

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    Being allocated a rating of 70, Bur Dubai will look to kick off his Australian racing campaign on Saturday 8th February at Caulfield in a BM74 over 1600m. “While 1600m will be short of his best trip, he will certainly run a cheeky race” Michael Kent Jnr said. “second up we will then look to stretch him out to 2000m and beyond”, he continued.

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    Bur Dubai is an international stayer on the rise, he is progressive and certainly one to add to the blackbook as he looks to build through the grades in what will be a relatively light Autumn preparation. He should adapt well to Australian racing conditions, internationally he has shown he can rip out a sectional like it’s a free fuel coupon on a shopping receipt. He was purchased with the 2025 Spring Carnival in mind, thus far – all signs are positive.

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    Bur Dubai – remember the name.