Strong Japanese squad Dubai bound

Japan is likely to send out a strong contingent to compete on Dubai World Cup day, Mar. 28 at Meydan, with no less than six horses expected to line up for the $29.250 million meeting according to local reports. The Dubai World Cup itself is looming for Epiphaneia (Jpn) (Symboli Kris S), the emphatic winner of the GI Japan Cup Nov. 30 and disappointing fifth to Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in the GI Arima Kinen a month later. He is likely to face his compatriotHokko Tarumae (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) in the race, who will have the advantage of being highly experienced on dirt. The 6-year-old won his last three starts including the GI Champions Cup (former Japan Cup Dirt) and GI Tokyo Daishoten on the same surface.

Also possibly World Cup-bound, although he has also been nominated for the G2 UAE Derby, is Paul Fudge’s Tap That (Jpn) (Tapit), a Y80 million yearling purchase out of Art Princess (Officer) who won first time out last September and followed up with a second place behind Dear Domus (Jpn) (Jungle Pocket {Jpn}) in the Zen Nippon Nisai Yushun, a local Grade I on dirt. The pair could re-oppose in the UAE Derby, as Dear Domus has also been given an entry.

Harp Star (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}, who finished a one-paced fifth in last Sunday’s G2 Kyoto Kinen, remains on course for the 2400-meter G1 Sheema Classic, as does One And Only (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}). Last year’s GI Tokyo Yushun [Japanese Derby] winner will need to bounce back from his recent form–he was last seen when finishing down the field in the GI Arima Kinen.