Meydan’s March into History

Full field of 14 runners will go under the starter’s orders on Saturday with record 70,000 enthusiastic racegoers arguably expected to enjoy the event from the stat-of-the-art facility.

Marco Botti’s representative Gitano Hernando under Kieren Fallon could stun the field and beat the older horses. The young Italian trainer is confident that the Hermando colt who was perfectly drawn in stall two could repeat his smooth success on a very similar surface at Lingfield and get the job done.

Jockey Fallon said: “He is a horse I have always liked and he deserves to take his chance.”

Meanwhile, among the other top level rivals is the American contender Gio Ponti, a respectable second to the Queen of the Universe Zenyatta in the Breeders’ Cup Classic on the Santa Anita Pro-Ride last November.

The son of Tale Of The Cat had four Gr-1 turf wins last year and trainer Christophe Clement is mounting on him to do exceptionally well on the Meydan All-Weather course.

The St. ledger and Italian Derby champion Mastery, will carry the hopes of the home team under Frankie Dettori in the Royal Blue colours of the powerful operation along with stable companion Allybar.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor who’s looking forward to land his sixth title with Mastery said: “He has been working very nicely on the Tapeta surface and is in great form at home. The trip will be a minimum for him but he is not short of speed and we are looking forward to running him.”

Jockey Frankie Dettori added: “He travelled the world last year, winning the Italian Derby before ending up at the Breeders’ Cup. Of course he beat me in the St Leger in between!

“Stamina is his forte and Meydan requires horses who stay so, granted a good draw, he has to be competitive on a surface he works very well on.”

But, the job of the Sulamani colt may be truly difficult, if not mission impossible. All eyes will be on the French challenger Vision D’Etat who was shifted to the Tapeta after winning as he liked in Hong Kong and at Royal Ascot last year.

French jockey Olivier Peslier who deserted the Japanese smart filly Red Desire to partner him said: “He is a classy performer and seems to have settled in well. The surface is new for him but he appears to act on it and can be competitive hopefully.”

Henry Cecil is always a man to be respected and he saddles Twice Over, the mount of Tom Queally and winner of the Group-1 Champion Stakes in the UK last year. He was then an excellent third at the Breeders’ Cup just a length and a quarter behind today’s opponent Gio Ponti. The Japanese smart filly Red Desire winner of the final round of the Al Maktoum Challenge on Super Thursday, over the same course and distance as the Dubai World Cup will also lodge her claim from stall three. She headed Gloria De Campeao, winner of Al Maktoum Challenge Round-I and runner-up in last year’s Dubai World Cup, right on the line.

Also in the Godolphin blue, but representing new trainer Mahmoud Al Zarooni, is Allybar who won the middle leg of the Al Maktoum Challenge from Crowded House before losing to Red Desire in the final. He will be ridden by Ahmed Ajtebi who said: “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.” The Mike De Kock duo Mr Brock and Lizard’s Desire, as well as the aforementioned Allybar, were all in close proximity and all are capable of big runs. The South African trainer said: “They have both showed improved form throughout the [Dubai International Racing] Carnival but this is a big step up in class for both and I just hope they run well.”