Dubai World Cup: Max Power or Head Boy?

DUBAI - Saturday's $6 million Dubai World Cup, the world's richest horse race and final renewal of the 10-furlong dirt event to be staged at Nad Al Sheba, is set to be contested by the largest ever field with 14 declared.

Former UAE Champion Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin won this race in 2007 with Invasor for Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and this year the pair combine with likely favourite Albertus Maximus, to be ridden by Alan Garcia.

A winner at the Breeders' Cup for previous connections, he was purchased by Shaikh Hamdan and arrives here having won the Donn Handicap. Invasor was also a Breeders' Cup winner with a Donn Handicap victory en route to the World Cup, as was inaugural World Cup winner Cigar, to name but two.

McLaughlin has been pleased with his stable star since landing in the UAE. “I arrived earlier this week but the horse has been here longer and has pleased everyone,'' he said. “He has taken the trip well and settled in nicely. He is in good shape and we are hopeful.''

Second favourite is likely to be Asiatic Boy, winner of the UAE Triple Crown (the only horse to have completed that treble), culminating in the UAE Derby on this night two years ago. Last year he chased home Curlin in the world Cup and won the Maktoum Challenge III over the Nad Al Sheba course and distance last time out.

Trainer Mike De Kock is upbeat and said: “This has been his target since last year's race and he should be spot on come Saturday. “He has been brought along steadily and has hopefully peaked at the right time.

He should run a big race.'' Third last year was the Eoin Harty-trained Well Armed and he too should put up a bold show with conditions to suit. Snaafy, trained by Musabah Al Muhairi, is a first runner in the race for his trainer but he too is Shaikh Hamdan-owned and Richard Hills, who combined with the owner to win the race in 1999 on Almutawakel, takes the ride.

He has won his last three starts at the Dubai International Racing Carnival but is stepping up markedly in class. Hills said: “He deserves this chance and is improving at the right time. It is a tough race but he will stay which I am not sure all the others will.''

That does not apply to Happy Boy representing another new trainer to the race in Mubarak Bin Shafya and a first ride for Ahmad Ajtebi. He was second in the last two rounds of the Maktoum Challenge and Ajtebi said: “He has thrived as the campaign has gone on and can hopefully run a big race but it will be a tough contest with such a big, quality field.'' The first two rounds of the Maktoum Challenge were won by Godolphin's My Indy and he was rested from Round III, won by Asiatic Boy.

He is another who seems to be progressing and trainer Saeed Bin Surour said: “We are looking forward to running him. He improved a lot over the summer and was working very well before his first win. He has continued in great form and should put up a bold show.''

YOUR DAY AT THE RACES

2PM Apron Views opens

2 PM-4.45PM BurJuman Style Stakes registration

4.30PM Pick Seven competition closes

5PM RACE 1 DUBAI KAHAYLA CLASSIC ($250,000, sponsored by Emaar)

5.05PM Preliminary judging Style Stakes Lady – Style Arena

5.40PM RACE 2 GODOLPHIN MILE ($1,000,000, sponsored by Etisalat)

5.50PM Dubai International Racing Carnival presentations

5.55PM Preliminary judging Style Stakes Couple

6.15PM RACE 3 UAE DERBY ($2,000,000, sponsored by Al Naboodah)

6.20PM Final Style Stakes judging and presentation

6.55PM RACE 4 DUBAI GOLDEN SHAHEEN ($2,000,000, sponsored by Gulf News)

7.10PM Finest Surprise Draw (Paddock lawns)

7.30PM Dubai World Cup Opening ceremony

7.55PM RACE 5 DUBAI DUTY FREE ($5,000,000, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free)

8.40PM RACE 6 DUBAI SHEEMA CLASSIC ($5,000,000, sponsored by Nakheel)

8.50PM Skywards ‘Thanks a Million' Draw (Style Arena)

9.30PM RACE 7 DUBAI WORLD CUP ($6,000,000, sponsored by Emirates airline)

10.15PM Pick Seven and Al Basti Equiworld draw winners announced.

11.30PM Closes

Four ways to win on the big day

There are big prizes on offer at Nad Al Sheba. PICK SEVEN and tricast Pick the winner or 1-2-3 of each of the seven races for cash prizes. Entry forms are free at gates and must be placed in the collection boxes before 4.30pm.

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That's the equivalent of 25 Dubai-London returns! Tickets from Skywards stand.

DUBAI WORLD CUP ‘FINEST SURPRISE'

Dh500 buys you one of just 2,000 tickets into the draw to win a Bentley Continental Flying Spur. al basti equiworlD lucky draw Complimentary ticket can win you up to Dh5,000 cash.

World Cup roll of honour (Year, Horse, Trainer, Jockey, Time)

2008 CURLIN S Asmussen R Albarado 2:00.15

2007 INVASOR (Arg) K McLaughlin F Jara 1:59:97

2006 ELECTROCUTIONIST (USA) S Bin Surour L Dettori 2:01:32

2005 ROSES IN MAY (USA) D Romans J Velazquez 2:02:17

2004 PLEASANTLY PERFECT (USA) R Mandella A Solis 2:00:24

2003 MOON BALLAD (Ire) S Bin Surour L Dettori 2:00:48

2002 STREET CRY (Ire) S Bin Surour J Bailey 2:01:18

2001 CAPTAIN STEVE (USA) B Baffert J Bailey 2:00:47

2000 DUBAI MILLENNIUM (GB) S Bin Surour L Dettori 1:59:50

1999 ALMUTAWAKEL (GB) S Bin Surour R Hills 2:00:65

1998 SILVER CHARM (USA) B Baffert G Stevens 2:04:29

1997 SINGSPIEL (Ire) M Stoute J Bailey 2:01:91 1996 CIGAR (USA) W Mott J Bailey 2:03:84