Meydan: Main Sequence blows out for Sheema Classic

Main Sequence, the champion turf horse of 2014 who won the Breeders’ Cup Turf last fall and is 5 for 5 since being imported to the U.S. from England, blew out about three furlongs down the home straight and into the clubhouse turn a little past 8 a.m. Tuesday on the Tapeta training track located just southeast of the Meydan main track.

Training in the company of Quadrivium, who runs in the Godolphin Mile, Main Sequence started his exercise at a slow gallop, picked up the tempo slightly down the backstretch, and came home at a strong pace in a final blowout for the $6 million Sheema Classic.

“It was a bit quicker than I’d like, but then I don’t really know what times mean on this track,” said trainer Graham Motion, who timed the work in about 36 seconds.

The time aside, Main Sequence has traveled well and settled in nicely, Motion said, and is coming up to what his trainer calls the gelding’s “stiffest challenge” in strong form.

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He had better. The Sheema Classic is the deepest race on the card. The expected field includes Designs on Rome, Flintshire, Sheikhzayedroad, One and Only, True Story, Just The Judge, Dolniya, and Harp Star.

The Japanese filly Harp Star will be getting a major jockey change and will be ridden for the first time by Ryan Moore, who takes over from Yuga Kawada.