Dubai: There’s no denying that the Dubai Duty Free (G1) has always been one of the strongest races on the card and this year is no exception.
Three runners go to post in the 1800m turf feature, with all bar one of them having won at Group 1 or Group/Grade level.
Heading the field is John Gosden’s The Fugue, who will race under the banner of Team British Racing. A winner of three Group 1s (the 2012 Nassau Stakes, the 2013 Yorkshire Oaks, the 2013 Irish Champion Stakes), The Fugue has never finished out of the frame on her four trips abroad to date.
Originally a Dubai World Cup candidate who was switched to this event last week, she looks to have strong claims of giving Derby-winning trainer Gosden a second big race win at the meeting after Dar Re Mi won the Dubai Sheema Classic in 2010.
Gosden said: “She had two easy days when she arrived and did a piece of steady work on Thursday as she will Friday. I’m very happy with her. It was always the plan to keep her in training at five so hopefully she can vindicate that decision.”
Japan are well represented with three runners, including Just A Way, who beat subsequent Japan Cup heroine and Dubai Sheema Classic hopeful, Gentildonna in last year’s Group 1 Tenno Sho.
His trainer, Naosuke Sugai said: “He had a nice, strong gallop on Wednesday and we were very pleased with him. We are very happy with our draw in two.
“All being well, he will run a very good race on Saturday as everything has gone to plan so far.
Compatriot, Logotype (JPN), has also been pleasing his trainer Ttsuyoshi Tanaka who said: “He did a lot of strong work before we left Japan and arrived in Dubai so we have not been too hard on him here. He has done everything asked of him comfortably and has enjoyed a good preparation.”
Tokei Halo is third Japanese runner and adds depth to what looks a strong contingent.
Hong Kong are represented by Blazing Speed, winner of the Group 1 Stewards Cup on his most recent start in January.
Tony Cruz is happy with the way the preparations have gone and said: “We are very pleased with him and things have gone smoothly. He is fit and ready to race.”
French-hope Mshawish has already won at the Dubai World Cup Carnival and trainer Mikel Delzangles is hoping Frankie Dettori’s Meydan experience will give his horse an edge.
The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Dank, a dual Group 1 winner in America last year, also represent Team British Racing.
A winner of seven races from 12 starts, including the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf and Grade 1 Beverly D Stakes, Dank is a proven top-level performer. Her career has been expertly handled by Stoute, who has previously handled the campaigns of such international superstar fillies as Islington and Petrushka and has won Group/Grade 1 contests in no less than nine countries outside of Britain, including Dubai, America, Hong Kong and Japan.
Other notables include the David Simcock-trained Trade Storm and the Godolphin pair of Tasaday and Hunter’s Light, both representing trainer Saeed Bin Surour who said: “On good ground on turf, Hunter’s Light has shown his class and nine furlongs will be fine for him.
“Tasaday won the Dubai Millennium (Listed) last time and showed some class. She is at the right trip but the race is a bit tough. We are giving her a chance to show her best form.”
