Fields for a trio of Thoroughbred Group 2s and one Purebred Arabian Group 1 on the Dubai World Cup card were drawn on Monday with the five Thoroughbred Group 1s to be finalised during Wednesday's draw ceremony.
The $750,000 UAE Derby Sponsored By Emirates NBD attracted 14 sophomores, and, as an added bonus carries 170 (100-40-20-10) points toward the GI Kentucky Derby on May 1. Saudi Derby conqueror Pink Kamehameha (Jpn) (Leontes {Jpn}) leaves from the widest stall in 14. Rated a field-topping 112, the Hideyuki Mori trainee-one of three from Japan–will knock heads with his Derby second and third New Treasure (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) for the Gosdens and Rebel's Romance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby.
The undefeated Flatter colt Panadol (109), a winner of the Listed Al Bastakiya over Doug Watson's Speight'spercomete (Speightstown) and MSW El Patriota (Uru) (Ecologo {Arg}) on Mar. 6 for Salem bin Ghadayer also takes part. Watson's other runner is the impressive G3 UAE Oaks victress Mnasek (Empire Maker), runner-up to Appleby/Godolphin's Soft Whisper (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in the Listed UAE 1000 Guineas after a poor beginning. America is also represented, as Doug O'Neill's GIII Bob Hope S. third Ambivalent (Constitution) will leave from gate eight.
In the G2 Godolphin Mile Sponsored By Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum City-District One, 15 horses, led by listed winner and Group-3 placed Urban Icon (GB) (Cityscape {GB}), have signed on. The first four finishers of the Mar. 6 G3 Burj Nahaar also lock horns once again: Midnight Sands (Speightstown), Group 3 winner Chiefdom (The Factor), Tuz (Oxbow) and Golden Goal (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). Satish Seemar charges Roman Rosso (Arg) (Roman Ruler)–a winner at the highest level in his native land and third in the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3-and Al Maktoum Challenge R3 fifth Secret Ambition (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) have also stood their ground.
GI Cigar Mile H. runner-up Snapper Sinclair (City Zip) will take part for Steve Asmussen, as will GII Suburban S. third Parsimony (Dominus) for Doug O'Neill and dual graded-placed Avant Garde (Tonalist) from the Gustavo Delgado barn.
The 3200-metre $750,000 G2 Dubai Gold Cup Sponsored By Al Tayer Motors is anchored by Godolphin's group-placed Secret Advisor (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) from the Charlie Appleby barn. One of four in the race representing the royal blue, he is joined by G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy one-two Volcanic Sky (GB) (Street Cry {Ire}) and Global Heat (Ire) (Toronado {Ire}), both from Saeed bin Suroor.
Last year's G1 Prix Royal-Oak hero Subjectivist (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) aims to knock the rust off from gate 10 for Mark Johnston, while dual Italian group winner Walderbe (Ger) (Maxios {GB}) drew one to the inside for trainer Ralf Rohne. Globetrotting veteran Red Verdon (Lemon Drop Kid) makes his first journey to the desert for Ed Dunlop and leaves from the farthest gate in 11. Team Valor tasted G1 Dubai World Cup glory with Animal Kingdom (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}), and they team up with Gary Barber and trainer Andrew Balding with G2 Doncaster Cup hero Spanish Mission (Noble Mission {GB}).
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