Brendan Powell is looking forward to a second winter campaign in Dubai with Dark Emerald after his admirable grey was among the acceptors for the Meydan season.
Brendan Powell is looking forward to a second winter campaign in Dubai with Dark Emerald after his admirable grey was among the acceptors for the Meydan season.
Dark Emerald was a revelation for the Hungerford trainer in the previous campaign, winning twice and finishing second in his first four starts before being unplaced in the Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup night in March.
Powell is planning a similar programme for Dark Emerald beginning in early Janary after the horse signed off the domestic season with victory at Hamilton in September.
"The acceptors came out this morning and he's got in there which is good," said Powell.
"He had a break after winning at Hamilton, a longer one than he had last year.
"He's been back in now for three and a half weeks and his first run all being well will be on January 7. He's starting off in the same race he was just beaten in last year.
"They've upped it to a 0-113 this year. He's off 108 now.
"He'll have a similar type of programme to last year. We just got chinned in the Zabeel Mile last year, so we'll probably aim him towards that and just see how he goes.
"He'll probably go six days before - I'll run him off the plane."
Powell has a second traveller this winter in the shape of Beach Bar, who he bought for 30,000 guineas out of William Knight's stable at Tattersalls Sales in October.
"Touch wood, we've got another one to go - Beach Bar. We bought him at the sales off William Knight. He's rated 100, so he'll have a similar kind of programme," said Powell.
"We might try him on the dirt over there. I think he'll cope with it. We've just got to find an owner for Beach Bar yet. If anyone wants to dream of going to Dubai, then there's one there. We'll keep our fingers crossed."