Champion horses to feature in Dubai World Cup

Dubai : It can be argued that this year's $10 million (Dh36.7 million) Dubai World Cup (Gr 1) has attracted the best field in its 15-year history and there are several good reasons to support this boast.

None more than the fact that the 14 horses that will line up to face the Meydan starter at 9.45pm tonight include as many as 11 Group 1 winners from seven countries.

Among them are champions from America and Japan and leading horses from England, France, South Africa, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Godolphin trainer Saeed Bin Surour, who is seeking his sixth win in the race and first since Electrocutionist produced a livewire effort to land the trophy in 2006, saddles Mastery, winner of both the Italian Derby and Doncaster St Leger last year.

While the son of former Godolphin star Sulamani is considered something of a long shot Bin Surour is hoping the horse's class will tell.

"He has been working very nicely on the Tapeta surface and is in great form at home," he said.

"The trip will be a minimum for him but he is not short of speed and we are looking forward to running him.

"Mastery won the English St Leger and was also third in the Breeders' Cup Marathon last year. He handles the surface very well and I am looking for a big run. Mastery has class."

Frankie Dettori, a three-time winner of the Dubai World Cup, is hoping his mount will be competitive.

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"The good thing about Mastery is that he is tough. He can handle anything," said the Italian.

"He has a few pounds to find on form but he is very tough and hopefully he will get a place at least. There are at least three to four horses that can win the 2010 Dubai World Cup.

"I like all my rides. They have all got a shot. You could easily walk out of there with six thirds so you don't know. You just need a bit of luck.

"Meydan is a fabulous course. The Tapeta track is good, our horses are in great form and the races are very competitive. We are all very excited. I would not want to swap my rides with anybody but the horses have to go out there and perform.

"Meydan is a level playing field. Horses can win from the front, back or wherever. Probably one of the key things is the draw — you want to be in one of the inside stalls and as close to rail as you can be. Apart from that, most of the horses I have ridden go on Tapeta, some better than others."

Also representing Godolphin but trained by new recruit Mahmoud Al Zarooni, is Allybar who won the middle leg of the Al Maktoum Challenge. He will be ridden by Ahmad Ajtebi who commented: "He was a bit unlucky last time and was progressing nicely before that. Obviously this is his toughest task to date but he should run well.

"He knows the track well and does not mind the distance. He was at his best when I sat on him last week. It is of course a very strong race, with lots of class horses, but I am looking for bit more from Allybar to win the race. He is the one I am most looking forward to riding on Dubai World Cup night."

The Godolphin duo take on 12 rivals including Gio Ponti, Richard's Kid and Furthest Land from America — a country which has a good record in the race with eight wins — while French hopes settle on Vision D'Etat and Gloria De Campeao. British raiders Twice Over, Gitano Hernando and Crowded House, South African-trained Mr Brock and Lizard's Desire and Japan's Red Desire complete the field.

Gio Ponti, America's champion older male and champion turf horse, has had a seamless preparation in Dubai overseen by assistant trainer Christophe Lorieul.

Trainer Christophe Clement, who arrived from the United States on Wednesday evening, quickly got down to business and sent Gio Ponti for his second gate schooling session on Thursday at Meydan.

Commenting on his stable star's chances the Frenchman said: "It's a very good race. There is not one horse to beat, there is a group of horses to beat. But it's a $10 million race so it is not easy to win. It's hard enough to win a $1 million race.

South Africa trainer Mike De Kock, looking for his first success in the race, saddles Mr Brock and Lizard's Desire, while Olivier Peslier partners Vision D'Etat on whom he won in Hong Kong and at Royal Ascot last year.

Henry Cecil saddles Twice Over, winner of the Group 1 Champion Stakes in the UK last year, while emerging handler Marco Botti is represented by Gitano Hernando who is the mount of big-race jockey Kieren Fallon.

Red Desire can make history by becoming the first Japanes-trained horse to win the Dubai World Cup.