The Dubai Racing Club (DRC) have this evening announced the likely fields for their showcase meeting, the Dubai World Cup card on March 31.
It is a stellar line up featuring horses from all over the globe.
Here is a look at some of the races on the card:
Group 1 Dubai World Cup (2000m) – Tapeta
The feature of the night is likely to see dual Cox Plate winner So You Think take on the likes of Singapore International Cup winner Gitano Hernando, Japanese Derby winner Eishin Flash, last year’s second and third placegetters Transcend and Monterosso, Breeders’ Cup Classic runner up Game on Dude and recent Group 1 winner Capponi. Other names that might be familiar to Australians include Silver Pond, who was almost purchased for the Melbourne Cup last year, and Master of Hounds. Tokyo Daishoten winner Smart Falcon and Hong Kong Cup placegetter Zazou add to the strength of the form. It looks likely to be one of the stronger editions of the Dubai World Cup.
Group 1 Sheema Classic (2400m) – Turf
Set to be one of the highlights of the night. Recent Australian purchase Jakkalberry will run up against Aidan O’Brien’s classy pair, Epsom Derby placegetter Treasure Beach and Breeders’ Cup Turf winner St Nicholas Abbey. The Cartier Older Horse of the Year last year, Champion Stakes winner Cirrus des Aigles, will also run, as will one time Grand Prix de Paris winner Cavalryman and Durban July winner Bold Silvano. There are also a number of emerging horses in the race, such as the William Haggas-trained Beaten Up, former British galloper Green Destiny and Godolphin’s Songcraft.
Group 1 Dubai Duty Free (1800m) – Turf
Australia’s only success at the meeting came through Elvstroem’s victory in this race in 2005. However, we are not represented this year except through the Australian-bred Musir. This looks a fascinating race. Hong Kong gallopers California Memory and Ambitious Dragon have a long rivalry, with Ambitious Dragon having won three clashes to California Memory’s one. Throw in John Moore’s Xtension and it looks a top notch representation from Hong Kong. Britain has Hong Kong Mile runner up Cityscape, who arguably should have won, as well as 2000 Guineas runner up Dubawi Gold, French Group 1 winner Planteur, Canadian Group 1 winner Wigmore Hall, and the much maligned Presvis. City Style, Delegator and Rio De La Plata are set to represent Godolphin, while Coolmore have Await The Dawn.
Group 1 Golden Shaheen (1200m) – Tapeta
Australian interest will be at a peak for this race, which sees Sepoy – still technically representing Australia but running in the Godolphin colours – taking on Singapore’s Australian bred champion Rocket Man. Former Australian galloper Soul is also expected to line up, as is Hong Kong Sprint winner Lucky Nine. Outside that, the race falls away a little bit, and it is not expected to be a capacity field. Nevertheless, with Sepoy, Rocket Man and Lucky Nine in the race, it will be a true Asian Sprint Challenge event!
Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (1000m) – Turf
This race may have taken some of the attention away from the Golden Shaheen in regards to entries, and while the Golden Shaheen features more class, the Al Quoz Sprint looks to have more depth. Australia will be represented by Ortensia, who won the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) in Perth at her last run. She meets the likes of Better Be The One, who raced as Common Interest in Australia, Hong Kong warhorse Joy and Fun, Japanese speedster A Shin Virgo, King’s Stand Stakes winner Prohibit, Canadian Group 1 winner Regally Ready, Nunthorpe Stakes winner Sole Power and last year’s runner up War Artist.
Group 2 UAE Derby (1900m) – Tapeta
Australia is set to have their first runner in this race, with Caulfield Guineas winner Helmet set to line up at his final start for Peter Snowden. It was considered to be a strong Caulfield Guineas at the time, but doubt has been cast on the form with Helmet below par in two starts since while Manawanui hasn’t been at his best this autumn. There is also a doubt about Helmet at 1900m, while he will be expected to carry more than his Northern Hemisphere rivals (who are six months younger than him). Coolmore and Godolphin look to have good hands here. Coolmore will be represented by Royal Lodge Stakes winner Daddy Long Legs and Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf winner Wrote, while UAE Oaks winner Falls of Lora and UAE 2000 Guineas winner Kinglet will line up for Godolphin (in addition to Helmet). There are a number of other representatives from around the world, and it is as good a race as can be expected for this time of year.
Group 3 Dubai Gold Cup (3200m) – Turf
A new race on the calendar this year is the Group 3 Dubai Gold Cup over 3200m. In time, this is likely to become the world’s second best 3200m race – behind the Melbourne Cup, of course! A small but select field is expected this year, headlined by Melbourne Cup seventh placegetter Fox Hunt. He has been electric in two Dubai starts this preparation and is on track for a third victory here. He will meet the likes of Godolphin’s Goodwood and Lonsdale Cups winner Opinion Poll (his stablemate, no less), Prix du Cadran winner Kasbah Bliss, Dubai City of Gold winner Mihkail Glinka, Durban July placegetter Irish Flame, Tenno Sho fourth Makani Bisty and the emerging Barbican. Australia’s Unusual Suspect is also listed as likely, but that contradicts comments made by trainer Michael Kent earlier in the week. Don’t be surprised to see a number of Melbourne Cup chances emerge from this race.
Also to be run on the night are the Group 2 Godolphin Mile (1600m) on the Tapeta track, as well as the Group 1 Dubai Kahayla Classic (2000m) for Purebred Arabians. To view the full list of likely fields, click here: http://dubairacingclub.com/sites/default/files/Likely%20Fields%20March%2018.pdf
SportsNews.com.au’s Andrew Hawkins will be at Meydan, covering the Dubai World Cup race meeting.
