Japan: After dominating the Saudi Cup undercard with four wins, Japan is preparing a formidable assault on Meydan with its biggest-ever team for the Dubai World Cup meeting on Saturday March 26.
A total of 23 Japanese-trained horses are set to line up at Meydan, headed by five runners in the Dubai Sheema Classic headed by last year’s Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) winner Shahryar, dual Hong Kong Vase winner Glory Vase and Authority, who won the Neom Turf Cup in Riyadh. A pair of Japanese Oaks winner Uberleben and lading filly Stella Veloce complete the quintet for the $6m event.
Japan fields three runners in the $6m Dubai Turf – they’ve won four of the last seven – while Stay Foolish, who won the Red Sea Turf Handicap at the Saudi Cup, runs in the Dubai Gold Cup.
The seven-year-old is one of four Dubai runners for globe-trotting trainer Yoshito Yahagi, whose overseas exploits are becoming the stuff of Japanese acing folklore after victories in the Cox Plate and a historic double at the Breeders’ Cup.
Chuwa Wizard, runner-up to Mystic Guide in last year’s Dubai World Cup, will bid to go one better as Japan’s sole entry in the feature race. Saudi Derby runner-up Sekifu is set to contest the UAE Derby while Full Flat, who beat Mishriff in the 2020 Saudi Derby, is engaged in the Godolphin Mile.
Intended Japanese runners in Meydan
Dubai World Cup: Chuwa Wizard
Dubai Sheema Classic: Authority, Glory Vase, Shahryar, Stella Veloce, Uberleben
Dubai Turf: Panthalassa, Schnell Meister, Vin De Garde
Dubai Golden Shaheen: Chain Of Love, Copano Kicking, Red Le Zele
Al Quoz Sprint: Entscheiden, Lauda Sion
UAE Derby: Combustion, Crown Pride, Reiwa Homare, Sekifu
Dubai Gold Cup: Stay Foolish, Veloce Oro
Godolphin Mile: Bathrat Leon, Full Flat, Soliste Thunder
Sheema Classic betting (William Hill): 5-2 Shahryar, Authority, 3 Yibir, 6 Hukum, Alenquer, Stella Veloce, 7 Glory Vase, 10 Uberleben, 14 Pyledriver.
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