Dubai: The wait is finally over and the $10 million Dubai World Cup, the world's most valuable horse race and a fitting finale to the richest race meeting on the globe, is upon us with, for the first time, a nine-race extravaganza worth over $27million in total.
The best is saved for last with 14 set to face the starter in what looks a wide open 2012 Dubai World Cup, over 2000m on Tapeta. Heading the international markets is multiple Group 1 winner So You Think who is trained in Ireland by Champion Trainer Aidan O'Brien, having previously been in the care of Bart Cummings in Australia for whom he won at the highest level on five occasions.
He has added three more big race victories in Europe and his jockey, trainer's son Joseph, said: "We are very much looking forward to Saturday and he seems the ideal sort of horse for the race - the 2000m is ideal and he works well on a similar surface at home."
Japan won the race for the first time last year when Victoire Pisa denied compatriot Transcend and the latter is back for another crack and joined by Eishin Flash and Smart Falcon to complete a strong trio. Smart Falcon has not been beaten since autumn 2010 and is seeking a 10th consecutive victory.
Dubai World Cup Carnival form is also well represented with Godolphin's winners of Maktoum Challenge II and III in the field. Capponi won the concluding leg for Mahmoud Al Zarouni who also has Monterosso, third in the big race last year, in the field. He was fourth behind Capponi on his first run since, while the Saeed Bin Surour-trained duo of Prince Bishop and Mendip (who won the middle round of the Maktoum Challenge) were third and 11th respectively.
It was Silver Pond on his local and Tapeta debut, having his first start for Doug Watson, who chased home Capponi to the delight of his trainer who said: "We thought he would need the run and were very pleased with his effort as it showed he handles the surface. He has improved since and we are very much looking forward to it."
Zazou represents Germany and Planteur the UK but it could be the American challenge that prevails with Royal Delta and Game On Dude sure to go well. If either win, history is guaranteed with Chantal Sutherland becoming the first woman to ride in the race on Game On Dude and Royal Delta bidding to become the first filly or mare to succeed.
Royal Delta's trainer Bill Mott won the first World Cup in 1996 with Cigar, while Bob Baffer, who trains Game On Dude has won it twice. The trainer sadly had a heart-attack in his hotel on Monday night but was able to greet His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai from his hospital bed after surgery and it is hoped Baffert will be at Meydan.
South African Mike De Kock relies on Master Of Hounds and he has to be respected in a truly wide open renewal.
Most competitive
The World Cup is one of no less than five Thoroughbred Group 1 races on the card and, as always, the Dubai Duty Free, over 1800m on turf, looks the most competitive. With 16 declared and a plethora of horses who like to be settled in rear, luck in running is going to be of paramount importance.
Last year's winner Presvis and the unlucky in running Wigmore Hall, who was third, will both appreciate a strong gallop to try and produce their customary late swoop, along with Green Destiny.
Hong Kong are particularly well represented this year with old foes Ambitious Dragon, Xtension and California Memory all having made the trip. The trio have finished 1-2-3, in the order listed, on both their last two starts and Ambitious Dragon looks to hold a big chance.
Mike De Kock trains both Musir and Mutahadee who was denied a clear run when seeking a course and distance hat-trick on Super Saturday, while Delegator looks best of the Godolphin hopes although his stamina could be an issue over a new trip.
Sheema classic
Only 10 have been declared for the 2410m Group 1 Sheema Classic, also on turf which could develop into a match between French challenger Cirrus Des Aigles and St Nicholas Abbey, trained in Ireland by O'Brien and winner of last year's Breeders' Cup Turf.
Beaten Up has yet to taste defeat in three career starts and is interesting for William Haggas with John Murtagh in the saddle.
The third Group 1 on turf is the 1000m Al Quoz Sprint and, with 16 declared, it looks impossible. The 2010 winner Joy And Fun should go well for Hong Kong, while 2011 Golden Shaheen winner Rocket Man is the one they have to beat in this year's renewal. The main danger in the 1200m Tapeta dash appears to be Sepoy, representing Godolphin but trained in Australia by Peter Snowden.
Sepoy will then be joined in the Godolphin European ranks along with stable companion Helmet who takes his chance in the UAE Derby. Both will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy with helmet looking to have De Kock's Mickdaam and O'Brien duo Wrote and Daddy Long legs to beat.
African Story will be hard to beat in the Godolphin Mile in which his trainer, Godolphin's Saeed Bin Surour, is seeking a ninth winner.
The 3200m Gold Cup is a new addition and Opinion Poll and Fox Hunt, both trained by Al Zarouni for Godolphin, look the pair on whom to concentrate, while as always the action starts with the Purebred Arabians in the Kahayla Classic. Last year's winner Seraphin Du Paon defends his crown but has been beaten the last twice by Nieshan who could be the one to beat.
