Saturday night we see the soke of the richest races in the world being run on the coveted Dubai World Cup program and this year we have three Australian entrants all of which line-up in the Al Quoz Sprint although we also see last years Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter on the program.
View the races on Dubai World Cup night with times listed in AEDT:
Saturday 30th March:
10:45pm – Race 1: G1 Dubai Kahayla Classic (2000m) (for Arabian horses on dirt)
11:15pm – Race 2: G2 Godolphin Mile (1600m) (dirt)
11:50pm – Race 3: G2 Dubai Gold Cup (3200m) (turf)
– Last years Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter and third placed Prince Of Arran will line-up in this race.
Sunday 31st March:
12:30am – Race 4: G1 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) (turf)
– Australian horses Brave Smash, Illustrious Lad and Viddora will line-up in this race.
1:05am – Race 5: G2 UAE Derby (1900m) (dirt)
1:40am – Race 6: G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200m) (dirt)
2:20am – Race 7: G1 Dubai Turf (1800m) (turf)
3:00am – Race 8: G1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) (turf)
– Hugh Bowman will ride Japanese horse Cheval Grand.
3:40am – Race 9: G1 Dubai World Cup (2000m) (dirt)
About The Meeting:
The world’s richest day of racing, the centrepiece of which is the Dubai World Cup a 2000m $US10 million run at Meydan, Dubai, UAE on March 30.
The final race is the brainchild of the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashin Al Maktoum – the man behind global racing giant Godolphin and breeding concern Darley.
AUSTRALIAN RUNNERS Three Australian runners – Viddora, Brave Smash and Illustrious Lad – will contest the Al Quoz Sprint over the straight 1200m.
* Viddora
Age/sex – 6m
Record – 30:9-7-1
Best wins – Moir Stakes, Winterbottom
Stakes – $2.7 million
* Brave Smash
Age/sex – 6h
Record – 33:5-8-6
Best wins – Manikato Stakes, Futurity Stakes
Stakes – $3.5 million
* Illustrious Lad
Age/sex – 7g
Record – 43:10-7-1
Best Wins – Group Two 1200m at Flemington
Stakes – $832,897
HUGH BOWMAN
Winx’s jockey will travel to Dubai for the race meet where he will ride the Japanese-trained Cheval Grand in the 2410m Dubai Sheema Classic.
Bowman will also ride former Japanese-bred Australian sprinter Brave Smash in the Al Quoz Sprint.
PAST AUSTRALIAN WINNERS
The Al Quoz Sprint has twice been won by Australian horses – Ortensia in 2012 and Buffering in 2016.
Australia’s first win in the Dubai World Cup meeting came from middle-distance runner Elvstroem in 2005, when the horse won the Dubai Duty Free.
MELBOURNE CUP WINNER
Charlie Appleby-trained 2018 Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter will run in the Group Two 3200m Dubai Gold Cup on the night.
