Probable fields released for Dubai World Cup card

Defending champions: Frankie Dettori drives home Country Grammer to beat Hot Rod Charlie in the 2022 Dubai World Cup. Photo: Dubai Racing Club

UAE: Saudi Cup one-two Panthalassa and Country GrammerplusEquinox, the worlds highest-rated three-year-old in 2022, and Breeders Cup hero Rebels Romance are among the headline acts for the $30.5million Dubai World Cup card, likely fields for which have been released.

Defending championCountry Grammerheads a projected field of 14 for the $12m Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline. Bob Bafferts charge aims to become just the second dual winner of the race but faces tough opposition from an eight-strong Japanese challenge featuringPanthalassaand Japan Cup winnerVela Azul.

The sole European representative is the Simon & Ed Crisford-trainedAlgiers, impressive winner of G2 Maktoum Challenge Round 1 and 2. Last years Saudi Cup winnerEmblem Roadis also set to feature, while veteranSalute The Soldier(fifth in 2021) tries again after winning thefinal leg of the Maktoum Challenge on Super Saturday.

The $6m Longines Dubai Sheema Classic has attracted a strong international line-up, with Arima Kinen winnerEquinoxfacing seven other G1 winners, including last years winnerShahryarand two from Hong Kong,Senor TobaandRussian Emperor.

A three-pronged UK attack is made up of the John & Thady Gosden-trainedEmily Upjohnand Neom Turf Cup winnerMostahdaf, plus Irish Derby winnerWestover(Ralph Beckett). Godolphins Breeders Cup Turf winner Rebels Romance remains on the list for the home team in the UAE.

The $5m Dubai Turf ifLord North, who won the race outright in 2021 and dead-heated with Panthalassa last year, can win it for a third time. A formidable bunch of rivals include four from Japan, includingVin De Garde, twice placed in this race, and Japanese Derby winnerDo Deuce.

The $2m Dubai Golden Shaheen also features a defending champion in the Bhupat Seemar-trainedSwitzerland,who will attempt to become the third dual winner of the 1,200metre dirt contest. He is up against a strong team from the US, including Breeders Cup Sprint secondCZ Rocket(Peter Miller) and Amsterdam winnerGunite(Steve Asmussen).

An international field heads to the turf for the $1.5m Al Quoz Sprint including Australian G3 winnerThe Astrologist(Troy & Leon Corstens), and the Hong Kong-trained pair ofSight SuccessandDuke Wai.

There are 100 Kentucky Derby qualifying points up for grabs in the G2 UAE Derby, which Aidan OBrien will seek to win for a fourth time withCairo. Up against him are five for Japan, includingContinuar(Yoshito Yahagi) while Baffert sendsWorcesterto represent the US, along with Doug ONeillsTall BoyandAh Jeez.

The G2 Godolphin Mile sees YahagisBathrat Leontry to follow up his devastating 2022 win against two compatriots,Lauda Sion(Takashi Saito) andWin Carnelian(Yuichi Shikato). A strong local challenge is headed by last years runner-upDesert Wisdom, andDiscovery Island,winner of the G3 Burj Nahaar last time out.

The longest race of the day is the G2 Dubai Gold Cup, over 3,200metres on turf. It welcomes back 2021 winnerSubjectivistas part of a strong UK team which also includes Ebor winnerTrawlerman,while OBrien sends G1 winnerBroomefrom Ireland andSisfahantravels over for German trainer Henk Grewe.

We are very excited about the strength of the fields for the 2023 Dubai World Cup meeting, commented Dubai Racing Club general manager Major General Dr Mohammed Essa Al Adhab. We have horses arriving from 12 different countries and it is especially fantastic to welcome back runners from Hong Kong and Australia after a break of a few years.

It is also superb to see so many defending champions here to try and make history, with Country Grammer aiming to become just the second dual Dubai World Cup winner. As ever, we thank trainers and owners for their support of the meeting and wish everyone the best of luck on March 25.

Visit theDubai Racing Club website

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