While there is no Australian representation on the Dubai World Cup card this year, there is plenty to keep fans enthralled in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The Japanese contingent is back in force at Meydan Racecourse. It would do well to equal the feat of last year when Ushba Tesoro (Orfevre) captured the $US12 million Dubai World Cup, Equinox (Kitasan Black) put the world on notice in the Dubai Sheema Classic, and Derma Sotogake captured the UAE Derby.
A son of Mind Your Biscuits, Derma Sotogake aims higher this year when he contests the feature race.
While Equinox is covering his first Book of mares for a fee of $200,000 at Shadai Stallion Station, Ushba Tesoro will be back to defend his title, where he will oppose not only Derma Sotogake but fellow Japanese breds Dura Erede (Duramnete) and Wilson Tesoro (Kitasan Black).
We recently featured the storybook rise of the Kazakhstan-owned Kabirkhan following his win in the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge after success in Russia and Kazakhstan.
The winner of ten of eleven starts, Kabirkhan, will be out to emulate his sire California Chrome in the Dubai World Cup.
Most Australian interest will centre on the return of Liberty Island in the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m).
The daughter of Duramente and Yankee Rose captured the Triple Tiara in Japan last year and bowed only to Equinox in the Japan Cup.
The Japanese are gang-tackling the race. Joining Liberty Island are Justin Palace (Deep Impact), Shahryar (Deep Impact), and Star Of Earth (Duramente).
A potential Coolmore shuttler, 5-time Group 1 winner Auguste Rodin (Deep Impact) makes his seasonal debut in the Sheema Classic, as will the Group 1 Coronation Cup winner Emily Upjohn (Sea The Stars).
The 8-year-old Dubawi gelding Lord North will bring the house down if he wins a fourth consecutive Dubai Turf.
He had to share the prize with Panthalassa (JPN) in 2022 and will again face stiff opposition from the Japanese contingent, Danon Beluga (Heart's Cry), Do Deuce (Heart's Cry), Matenro Sky (Maurice), and Namur (Harbinger).
The Casper Fownes-trained Straight Arron and the Ricky Yiu-trained Voyage Bubble will represent Hong Kong in the Dubai Turf.
Brenton Avdulla rides the Fastnet Rock gelding Straight Arron, and Mickael Barzalona is on the Deep Field gelding Voyage Bubble.
The Zoustar gelding The Astrologist made Australia proud when second in the Al Quoz Sprint last year.
The Tony Cruz-trained California Spangle, an Irish-bred son of Starspangledbanner, will be favoured to provide Brenton Avdulla with another career highlight.
Ryan Moore will ride the John Size-trained Slight Success. The son of Magnus finished fourth in the race last year, which was won by Danyah.
The son of Invincible Spirit is back to defend his title.
Godolphin’s 3-year-old Kodiac filly Star Of Mystery could be the one to beat.
A half-sister to the Grade 1 Diana Stakes winner Althiqa (Dark Angel), Star Mysery has an Australian connection.
Her half-brother Magical Land (Frankel) has made seven starts in Australia without winning. It seems his time with Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock may have ended.
