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Dubai World Cup Attracts Top Runners

Owners and trainers worldwide have embraced Meydan Racecourse, with Dubai Racing Club announcing entries for the 2010 Dubai World Cup to be held on March 27.

At the closure of the free entry stage on January 13, a total of 1,951 record entries have been received from 23 countries for the revamped eight race programme, highlighted by the 15^th running of the $10 million Dubai World Cup, the first to be held at international horse racing’s iconic venue; Meydan Racecourse.

The Dubai World Cup, run for the first time on an all weather surface, Tapeta, attracted the highest number of nominations in its history, dual Eclipse Award winner Gio Ponti and Japanese champion Vodka prominent among the 288 entries received. The latter leads a powerful contingent from Japan which also includes the dual Classic winner and champion three-year-old filly Buena Vista, Japan Cup Dirt winner Espoir City and Success Brocken.

Gloria De Campeao also returns for a third Dubai campaign hoping to go one better than his second placing to Well Armed last year while Godolphin’s Regal Ransom is among 34 entries from the stable and aiming to become the first horse to win the Dubai World Cup 12 months after a UAE Derby success. Hong Kong Cup first and second Vision D’etat and Collection are also among the early entries.

The Dubai World Cup’s 288 entries come from 82 trainers and 15 countries, Saeed bin Suroor (34 entries) with the most number of nominations and one of seven trainers having tasted Dubai World Cup success previously. The others being Kiaran McLaughlin (four entries), Bill Mott (two), Steve Asmussen (one), Bob Baffert (seven), Eoin Harty (one), Sir Michael Stoute (two).

Among this year’s entries for the $5 million Group 1 Dubai Duty Free are the first three-over-the-line from the 2009 renewal; Gladiatorus, Presvis and Alexandros. The three, along with the highly rated Courageous Cat are among a massive 400 entries from 19 countries.

The Dubai Duty Free and the $5 million Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic traditionally attract a strong level of international entries and this year proves no different. Like the Dubai Duty Free, those prominent in the 2009 Dubai Sheema Classic are again among the entries for this year’s renewal which has attracted 242 nominations from 17 countries. The first seven home in 2009 are all aimed at the race in 2010 as are Presious Passion from the USA and Europe’s outstanding filly Dar Re Mi.

The Dubai Golden Shaheen has long been the domain of horses from the USA since 2000 including Breeders Cup Sprint winner Dancing In Silks. The race has proven popular with the 205 entries coming from 16 countries. Japan’s Laurel Guerriero and Australia’s unbeaten filly Black Caviar will be attempting to halt American dominance of this race. Richard Mandella, trainer of the 2004 Dubai World Cup winner Pleasantly Perfect also has his eye on this race, with his charge Crown Of Thorns entered here. For the first time this year, the Dubai Golden Shaheen will be run around a bend.

The addition to the programme of the Group 3 Al Quoz Sprint is proving to be extremely popular, with the race receiving 202 entries from 16 countries. All Silent, Black Caviar, Turffontein and Gold Trail are among a powerful group of 15 from Australia while Singapore’s star Rocket Man and Hong Kong champion Sacred Kingdom are also entered.

Bob Baffert and owner Mike Pegram have tasted Dubai World Cup success with Captain Steve and their Lookin’ At Lucky, winner of the Eclipse Award for Champion Two-Year-Old Male of 2009 heads the 173 entries for the $2 million Group 2 UAE Derby.

Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Furthest Land heads a 61-strong USA entry for the $1 million Group 2 Godolphin Mile, those entries among a total of 370 received from 16 countries.