Expected fields have been released for Meydan's $26.5-million Dubai World Cup card on Mar. 27, with 14 Group 1 winners set to line up on the night.
The featured $12-million G1 Dubai World Cup is as ever an international affair. Godolphin brings three runners trained in three different countries, headed by homebred Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper), winner last time of the GIII Razorback H. at Oaklawn Park on Feb. 27 for trainer Mike Stidham. Saeed bin Suroor sends out Gifts Of Gold (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who won the Red Sea Turf H. on Saudi Cup day, while Andre Fabre fields Magny Cours (Medaglia d'Oro), the winner of his last three who tries dirt for the first time. They will be opposed by American challengers Jesus' Team (Tapiture), runner-up in the GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational on Jan. 23; Pegasus fourth and Saudi Cup fifth Sleepy Eyes Todd (Paddy O'Prado); and last-out GIII Louisiana S. winner Title Ready (More Than Ready). Japan sends Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}), winner of the G1 Champions Cup in December. Bahraini handler Fawzi Nass fields Salute The Solider (Ger) (Sepoy {Aus}), winner of G1 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 and G2 Al Maktoum Challenge R2, while Great Scot (GB) (Requinto {Ire}), a longshot third in the Saudi Cup, is the Saudi hope.
The G1 Dubai Sheema Classic will see Group 1 winners from four countries square off. Japan's triple Group 1-winning mare Chrono Genesis (Jpn) (Bago {Fr}) will meet Aidan O'Brien's Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) as well as American champion Channel Maker (English Channel) and G1 Prix du Jockey Club and Saudi Cup scorer Mishriff (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}). The G1 Dubai Turf features last-out G1 Jebel Hatta victor Lord Glitters (Fr) (Whipper) and last year's G1 Prince of Wales's S. winner Lord North (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), while Cheveley Park Stud's triple Group 3 winner Regal Reality (GB) (Intello {Ger}) makes his seasonal debut.
The G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen features American challenger Yaupon (Uncle Mo). The Steve Asmussen-trained 4-year-old looks to bounce back from an eighth-place finish in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint in November, prior to which he had gone unbeaten in four starts. He is joined by the Doug O'Neill-trained Wildman Jack (Goldencents), who won the G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint at Meydan last season and most recently took the GII Palos Verdes S. on Jan. 23. Japan holds a strong hand in the Golden Shaheen with G3 Capella S. winner Justin (Jpn) (Orfevre {Jpn}) and Riyadh Dirt Sprint one-two Copano Kicking (Spring At Last) and Matera Sky (Speightstown). Japan also brings a powerful team for the G2 UAE Derby headed by Saudi Derby scorer Pink Kamehameha (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}). He will face the likes of Listed Al Bastakiya S. winner Panadol (Flatter); Listed UAE 1000 Guineas winner Soft Whisper (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}); and UAE 2000 Guineas winner Mouheeb (Flatter).
The G1 Al Quoz Sprint will see G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest and stc 1351 Turf Sprint scorer Space Blues (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) face off against fellow Godolphin colourbearer Final Song (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), who won the G3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint on Super Saturday, and G2 Meydan Sprint winner Equilateral (GB) (Equiano {Fr}), while American-trained 3-year-old Cowan (Kantharos) attempts to break a streak of five straight second-place finishes, including in the Saudi Derby last time.
The G2 Dubai Gold Cup will see G1 Prix Royal-Oak scorer Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) face off against the likes of Red Sea Turf H. second and fourth Spanish Mission (Noble Mission {GB}) and Red Verdon (Lemon Drop Kid), while Midnight Sands (Speightstown) looks to build on a win in the G3 Burj Nahaar in the G2 Godolphin Mile. He faces the likes of G3 Firebreak S. winner Secret Ambition (GB) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}).
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