At $10 Million the Dubai World Cup is the richest race in the world, so it can be no surprise when many of the best horses from all over the world flock to the Middle East to contest the ten furlong race contested over Meydan‘s Tapeta surface. The popularity of the World Cup, to be run on the evening of Saturday, March 26, is greater than ever and has attracted an impressive total of 312 nominations.
Bold Silvano - South African stalwart was ultra impressive in his Meydan debut last week for top trainer Mike De Kock.
Gio Ponti - America’s reigning two-time turf champ likes the distance and can handle the Tapeta surface.
Gitano Hernando - The 2009 Goodwood winner is best on a synthetic surface and recently got a good prep over the track.
Buena Vista - Japan’s Horse of the Year will be looking to keep the recent successes of the great females rolling.
Victoire Pisa - Top Japanese colt seems to be best at the World Cup’s ten furlong distance.
Mendip - Last year’s UAE Derby favorite was an impressive winner of the recent Al Maktoum Challenge - Round 1.
Musir - De Kock trained horse was the toast of the Meydan meeting last Spring as a younger horse.
Al Shemali - Seven-year-old horse won two races at Meydan last Spring for the home team.
Snow Fairy - Another filly who has a big shot if she takes to the new surface. Finished 2010 off in grand style
Giant Oak - Longtime loser suddenly has all cylinders firing. The surface and distance should be no problem.
Twice Over - Continues to prove himself as one of the world’s absolute elite at the 1 ¼ mile distance.
Twirling Candy - America’s hottest new star is a bit of a question as far as the making the trip over, but is in phenomeonol fettle.
Morning Line - One of two possible Zito horses going over was recently purchased with this in mind.
Cape Blanco - Irish Champion runaway winner loves the distance and is a major threat on his best performance.
With many of these horses likely to make the starting gate for the World Cup, a number of top horses could be left on the outside looking in when the field is announced. A quick scan of horses wanting in, but in danger of not making the cut include: Interaction, Crowded House, Win For Sure, Red Desire, Debussy, Spring Of Fame, as well as American stars Fly Down, Redding Colliery, Richard's Kid, and Belmont winner Drosselmeyer.
There are still more than six weeks to go to see how it all shakes out, but the field of 14 looks likely to attract the deepest field of quality seen anywhere in the world this year.