Dubai World Cup: What you need to know
DUBAI WORLD CUP MEETING
The world’s richest day of racing, the centrepiece of which is the Dubai World Cup a 2000m $US10 million run at Meydan, Dubai, UAE on March 30.
The final race is the brainchild of the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashin Al Maktoum – the man behind global racing giant Godolphin and breeding concern Darley.
AUSTRALIAN RUNNERS Three Australian runners – Viddora, Brave Smash and Illustrious Lad – will contest the Al Quoz Sprint over the straight 1200m.
* Viddora
Age/sex – 6m
Record – 30:9-7-1
Best wins – Moir Stakes, Winterbottom
Stakes – $2.7 million
* Brave Smash
Age/sex – 6h
Record – 33:5-8-6
Best wins – Manikato Stakes, Futurity Stakes
Stakes – $3.5 million
* Illustrious Lad
Age/sex – 7g
Record – 43:10-7-1
Best Wins – Group Two 1200m at Flemington
Stakes – $832,897
HUGH BOWMAN
Winx’s jockey will travel to Dubai for the race meet where he will ride the Japanese-trained Cheval Grand in the 2410m Dubai Sheema Classic.
Bowman will also ride former Japanese-bred Australian sprinter Brave Smash in the Al Quoz Sprint.
PAST AUSTRALIAN WINNERS
The Al Quoz Sprint has twice been won by Australian horses – Ortensia in 2012 and Buffering in 2016.
Australia’s first win in the Dubai World Cup meeting came from middle-distance runner Elvstroem in 2005, when the horse won the Dubai Duty Free.
MELBOURNE CUP WINNER
Charlie Appleby-trained 2018 Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter will run in the Group Two 3200m Dubai Gold Cup on the night.