The richest race in the world, the US$10m Group 1 Dubai World Cup (2000m), attracts massive attention every year.
This year is no exception, although Australian interest is at an all time high.
This will be the third running at the palatial Meydan, and the Australian contingent looks as strong as it ever has.
We will be represented by the Peter Snowden-trained pair Sepoy and Helmet, with both to be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy in their respective events – the Group 1 Golden Shaheen (1200m) and the Group 2 UAE Derby (1900m).
American import Unusual Suspect now technically represents Australia, as he is trained by Cranbourne’s Mick Kent and is owned by Peter Lord’s Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock.
He is set for a return bout in the Group 3 Dubai Gold Cup (3200m) with Fox Hunt, who narrowly beat him home in last year’s Melbourne Cup behind Dunaden.
Ortensia seemed to return to her best form last spring and she is set to line up in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (1000m) down the straight.
Some journalists – not all Australian – have declared her a good thing. It will be interesting to see if they are right.
And while he may no longer be an Australian, dual Cox Plate winner So You Think creates much interest in the feature.
Andrew Hawkins, representing Just Horse Racing and Sports News, is at Meydan reporting on events as they occur.
We would love to hear your thoughts – who will win? Who is the bet of the evening – is it Ambitious Dragon in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free (1800m), or perhaps St Nicholas Abbey in the Group 1 Sheema Classic (2400m)? Or is there something at big odds that you think will win?
Join the conversation. Head over to our sister site Just Horse Racing to follow events from the richest racecard in the world.
