Dubai World Cup: Strong international presence among 271 entries

News / Timeform / 03 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

So You Think (right) is currently favourite for the Dubai World Cup

"Aidan O'Brien is yet to win the race but saddled Cape Blanco to finish fourth last year..."

The 2012 Dubai World Cup has amassed an entry that numbers 271, featuring a whole host of top performers from around the globe.

The ten-furlong Group 1, to be run on Saturday March 31 (the same day as the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster) on a tapeta surface, is also being targeted by a number of trainers who have already claimed the colossal prize.

Saeed bin Suroor holds the record for wins in the race having taken five of the past 16 renewals, but it's fellow Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni whio has the stronger entry, including the Timeform 121-rated Dubai Prince, Prix du Prince d'Orange winner Casamento, French Navy and 1000 Guineas/Epsom Oaks heroine Blue Bunting.

Aidan O'Brien is yet to win the race but saddled Cape Blanco to finish fourth last year and looks set for a repeat mission with So You Think (master rating of 131) after the six-year-old entire's blinkered sixth in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

The entries, which represent a dozen different countries, also include Americans Game On Dude, Bob Baffert-trained Classic second who has a Timeform figure of 124, Animal Kingdom, rated 1 lb his superior having taken the Kentucky Derby in May, and champion three-year-old male Acclamation (125).

The Dubai World Cup entries also feature Champion Stakes victor Cirrus des Aigles, Preakness winner Shackleford and Belmont scorer Ruler On Ice, as well as contenders from top trainers Richard Mandella, Bill Mott, Eoin Harty (won with Well Armed in 2009), Katsuhiko Sumii (trainer of last year's winner Victoire Pisa) and Kiaran McLaughlin (saddled Invasor to land the 2007 renewal).

So You Think is currently trading as [5.1] favourite for the Dubai World Cup, the feature event on a star-studded nine-race Meydan card.