Dubai World Cup

when Sheikh Mohammed founded the Dubai World Cup meeting a dozen years ago there were plenty of doubters to sneer that the meeting would never prove a success and tha money could not buy everything. They have been proved wrong, and today´s meeting is not only the best ever, but also features several of the best races ever run anywhere in the world. It can certainly be regarded as superior to the Breeders Cup in overall standards, and in terms of international appeal probably even eclipses the "Arc" meeting at Longchamp. Today there are runners from 15 different countries, including Hong Kong and Japan, New Zealand and South Africa, the U.S.A., France and one (Quijano) from Germany. Star of the show is undoubtedly Breeders Cup Classic winner and U.S Horse of the Year Curlin (Steve Asmussen/ Robbie Alborada), officially rated the best horse in the world and clear favourite for the Dubai World Cup, which will be run over 10 furlongs on dirt at 18.30 CET and despite the drop in the dollar´s value is still the richest race in the world with 6 million dollars in prize-money. On form and ratings, he can hardly lose today. The outside draw (12) is no problem, as in general horses drawn on the outside have an advantage in the dirt races here (but not on turf). Premium Tap, the pride of Saudi Arabia and partly owned by the king, and Japanese hope Vermilion were second and fourth here last year and should again pick up some valuable place money. The big question mark is Godolphin´s Jalil (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori); this 9.7 million dollars yearling took a long time to find his form, but has been a revelation since racing on the dirt track at Nad al Sheba, winning all of his 3 races here in excellent style. However he needs further improvement to figure today. South African trainer Mike de Kock is double-handed with Asiatic Boy (Johnny Murtagh) and Lucky Find (Kevin Shea), while the best outsider is Kocab, whose trainer Andre Fabre and jockey Stephane Pasquier have an outstanding record in these big international events. There is no betting in Dubai, but British bookies (and in other countries) will be pricing up all these races; Curling is generally quoted at around 3-1 on. Godolophin´s second string Happy Boy is a non-runner.