Dubai World Cup: Shining stars arrive ahead of showpiece

Dubai Turf and Saudi Cup winner Panthalassa is among a top-class group of horses who have arrived in Dubai ahead of the Dubai World Cup meeting on March 25.

The Yoshito Yahagi-trained Panthalassa became the third-highest earning Japanese-trained horse of all time after his victory in Riyadh, which was gained in front-running style from Country Grammer. The reigning Dubai World Cup winner also flew in from Saudi Arabia on Tuesday and he will attempt to become only the second dual winner of the $12million race. Panthalassa has been nominated for the Dubai World Cup and the Dubai Turf, with trainer Yoshito Yahagi expected to announce a decision closer to race day.

Country Grammer was joined on the short flight by the Steve Asmussen-trained Gunite, who is nominated for the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. Winner of the G2 Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga last summer, the four-year-old finished second to Breeders’ Cup winner Elite Power in the Riyadh Dirt Sprint on Sunday.

Third in the Riyadh Sprint was four-year-old Remake who has also travelled on to the UAE where he will take his chance in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, as will Justin, who has visited Dubai before, finishing eleventh in the 2021 Shaheen.

In total, 13 Japanese-trained horses made the onward journey to Dubai from Saudi. They include Bathrat Leon (pictured), winner of the 2022 G2 Godolphin Mile, who landed the 1351 Turf Sprint in Riyadh but is now likely to switch back to dirt for a defense of his title.

Vin De Garde, placed in the last two editions of the Dubai Turf for trainer Hideaki Fujiwara, is also back for another attempt, while Lauda Sion will attempt to better his ninth in last year’s G1 Al Quoz Sprint.

Crown Pride, winner of the 2022 G2 UAE Derby over this track, will form part of a strong Japanese challenge in the Dubai World Cup, in which he will be joined by G1 February Stakes winner Café Pharoah, who finished third in the Saudi Cup. Geoglyph, fourth in Saudi, is another nominated for the big race, as is Jun Light Bolt, seventh.

The Japanese will have a strong hand in the G2 UAE Derby with Derma Sotogake, third in the Saudi Derby over a mile, having travelled onto Dubai, as has Continuar, who finished fifth.

The recently landed team is completed by the Hideyuki Mori-trained Echt, seventh in the Red Sea Turf Handicap, who is likely to head to the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup.

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