Calandagan firmly on course for Sheema Classic bid

Calandagan is on target for the Dubai Sheema Classic after pleasing in a racecourse gallop at Saint-Cloud on Thursday.

The Royal Ascot winner, who went down narrowly in both the Juddmonte International and Champion Stakes last season, is likely to be campaigned at a mile and a half this year.

Trainer Francis-Henri Graffard liked what he saw from the gelding, who will be heading to Dubai without a prep run.

“I was very pleased to give him a racecourse gallop, especially as the ground was good at Saint-Cloud. It was very positive for the horse and he needed to get out of the yard and get back into the rhythm of a race on the racecourse. It was very positive and the gallop went really well,” he told the Dubai Racing Club.

“Mickael Barzalona was pleased with the horse and I think he will come on a lot for it. All winter we decided he was a horse for the Sheema Classic.

“I definitely think he is a mile-and-a-half horse. He’s a horse that needs to get into his rhythm in the early part of the race and he can then finish strongly, so I think he’s better suited by a mile and a half and good ground.”