Mammoth set of entries for World Cup night
MORE than 1,600 entries from 27 different countries have been received for the Dubai World Cup card on Saturday March 28.
This year's running of the World Cup will be the 14th and last at Nad Al Sheba before racing is moved to Meydan in 2010.
Dubai Racing Club CEO Frank Gabriel said: "Nad Al Sheba has been the home of the most international race meeting in the world and the Dubai World Cup meeting this year will be the perfect finale before we move to Meydan."
A total of 16 countries are represented in the entries for the World Cup itself, where 263 nominations include Asiatic Boy and Well Armed, second and third behind Curlin in 2008.
Other big names include Japan's star mare Daiwa Scarlet, Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Albertus Maximus and Travers Stakes hero Colonel John.
Eagle Mountain and Viva Pataca, who fought out a thrilling Hong Kong Cup in December, are set to resume their rivalry in the Dubai Sheema Classic, which has attracted 280 entries from 18 countries.
Dual Hong Kong Vase winner Doctor Dino is set to continue his international travels while the Japan Cup winner Screen Hero and Arc runner-up Youmzain are other probables.
In 2008 six individual Group 1 winners emerged from the Dubai Duty Free and the quality of the race looks assured in 2009 with a plethora of stars nominated, among them last year's winner Jay Peg and both Archipenko and Vodka, who came third and fourth.
Aussie superstar Weekend Hussler, seven times a Group 1 winner, and Jim Bolger's star filly Lush Lashes also hold the entry.
Top sprinters from around the world are set top converge for the Golden Shaheen, headed by Europe's champion sprinter Marchand D'Or, Indian Blessing from the States and Apache Cat from Australia
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