Curlin arrives in UAE

Dubai: Curlin, the big favourite to win next month's Dubai World Cup (Gr 1), arrived in Dubai on Sunday following a trans-Atlantic flight from Florida.

He will spend the next three days at the World Cup Quarantine centre at Nad Al Sheba before commencing his preparations for the $6 million (Dh22 million) race on March 29.

Curlin is scheduled to have a prep race on February 28, over the same distance as the World Cup, 2,000 metres. The four-year-old has had five strong workouts at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans since the start of the year. Curlin won the 2007 Breeders' Cup Classic at Monmouth Park in New Jersey, from Hard Spun and Awesome Gem. He also swept the Horse of the Year and three-year-old male honours at the 37th annual Eclipse Awards in January,.

Curlin was accompanied to Dubai by Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen.