Newtown Anner Stud homebred Fascinating Rock (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) features among the entries for the $10 million G1 Dubai World Cup Mar. 26, and last year's G1 Champion S. winner could try dirt for the first time in the world's richest race.
Fascinating Rock could face the likes of American Grade I winners Keen Ice (Curlin) and California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit) at Meydan. The Dale Romans-trained Keen Ice is best known for upsetting Triple Crown winner and Horse of the Year American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile) in last summer's GI Travers S., while Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome finished second in last year's World Cup and will have a local prep run before taking another shot at racing's richest prize. Other Grade I winners nominated include Frosted (Tapit) and Dortmund (Big Brown).
The Mike de Kock-trained Mubtaahij (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who faced off against Frosted and Dortmund in last year's GI Kentucky Derby, could attempt to become the first to complete the G2 UAE Derby–World Cup double, and from even further afield, Argentine champion Hi Happy (Arg) (Pure Prize) is nominated to three races on the night: the World Cup, the G1 Dubai Turf and the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic.
Last year's Dubai Turf victor Solow (GB) (Singspiel {Ire})–who has not lost in four Group 1 outings since–headlines the entries for that race. Solow could face a formidable challenge from Japan in the form of multiple Group 1 winner Maurice (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}), who was last seen taking the G1 Hong Kong Mile Dec. 13, and dual Classic winner Duramente (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}). The Grey Gatsby (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), second in last year's Dubai Turf, is entered once again.
Another European star who could make the trip is last year's G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. winner Postponed (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who is nominated for the Sheema Classic.
A truly international cast has been nominated for the G1 Al Quoz Sprint, with defending winner Sole Power (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}) set to make his sixth visit to the desert. Peniaphobia (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}), second in last year's Al Quoz and the winner of the G1 Hong Kong Sprint in December, could be given a chance to turn the tables. Australia's veteran sprinter Buffering (Aus) (Mossman {Aus}) could make his first trip outside his homeland at age eight. Click here for the complete list of Dubai World Cup night entries.
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