Projected final fields for the Dubai World Cup meeting have been released – with Newgate, recent Santa Anita Handicap winner under Frankie Dettori, set to feature among a total of 33 individual Thoroughbred G1 winners on the $30.5 million card.
Likely fields for Dubai World Cup card
Defending champion Ushba Tesoro, Saudi Cup winner Senor Buscador and Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up Derma Sotogake also feature among a projected line-up of 13 for the $12m Dubai World Cup, which is sponsored by Emirates Airline. The locally trained contingent is headed by Kazakhstan-owned sensation Kabirkhan, winner of G1 Maktoum Challenge.
The Longines Dubai Sheema Classic has a projected field of 12, with 2022 winner Shahryar aiming to become the first horse to win the $6m contest twice as part of a formidable Japanese team which includes top fillies Liberty Island and Stars On Earth. Taking them on from Europe is Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Auguste Rodin and Coronation Cup winner Emily Upjohn, while the Godolphin challenge relies on former UAE Derby winner Rebel’s Romance.
Lord North goes for an unprecedented fourth win in the $5m Dubai Turf, in which the John & Thady Gosden-trained gelding faces a potential 14 rivals – among them his own stablemate, the multiple G1-winning mare Nashwa. Arima Kinen winner Do Deuce also features here.
There are two valuable sprints on the card, including the $2m Dubai Golden Shaheen, in which last year’s winner Sibelius is joined by 2023 fourth Hopkins, while the Japanese challenge is headed by impressive Riyadh Dirt Sprint winner Remake.
The $1.5m Al Quoz Sprint has an international look, with multiple G1 winner Casa Creed travelling over from America, Jasper Krone from Japan and several British runners, including G1 winners Regional and Emaraaty Ana.
California Spangle, winner of the G1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup last weekend, journeys from Hong Kong.
The card is bolstered by three Group 2s, beginning with the Godolphin Mile, where a strong line-up features 2023 winner Isolate and Saudi Cup third Saudi Crown.
Japan’s Saudi Derby winner Forever Young is the star attraction in the G2 UAE Derby, in which he is likely to be joined by US raider Pandagate, as well as UAE 2000 Guineas winner Mendelssohn Bay – plus Henry Adams and Navy Seal, both trained by Aidan O’Brien.
The Ballydoyle maestro runs Tower Of London in the G2 Dubai Gold Cup, where likely opponents include Irish St Leger winner Eldar Eldarov, Yorkshire Cup winner Giavellotto and Lonsdale Cup winner Coltrane.
The traditional curtain raiser to the day is the $1m Dubai Kahyala Classic for Purebred Arabians in which a likely field of 13 includes 2022 winner First Classs and the unbeaten Saudi star Asfan Al Khalediah.
• Visit the Dubai Racing Club website
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