Gulf Gateway to $12m Dubai World Cup

Again, It’s the dynamic trio of Country Garmmer, Frankie Dettori and Bob Baffert, who are set for a another $12m Dubai World Cup, by Emirates Airlines, as the Betr $4.20 co-favourite.

In having scored a 1¼ length victory last year, the trio are now coming off a fast finishing ¾ length second the $20m Saudi Cup, having also been beaten last year when ridden Flavien Prat.

With Frankie Dettori’s farewell world tour that never seeming to end, he had previously partnered Country Grammer to win the San Antonio Stakes by 4½ lengths at Santa Anita on Boxing Day.

Earlier Country Grammer had run second in the Awesome Again Stakes, the Pacific Classic to Flightline and the San Diego Handicap, having previously won the Hollywood Gold Cup at Santa Anita.

Bred by Scott and Debbie Pierce, he races in the tri-colours of Zedan Racing, being a 6yo horse by top-liner Tonalist from the winning Forestry mare Arabian Song, the family of Etoile Montante.

Originally purchased by Paul Pompa Jr for $60,000 as a Keeneland September Yearling, he was later a $110,000 3yo buy at the Keeneland 2021 January All-Ages Sale from the Paul Pompa estate.

However, what a rise it has been for Algiers, who’s also at $4.20 with Country Grammar, having last won both Round 1 and 2 of the Al Maktoum Challenge series, and being Group 2 events.

In by passing the Saudi Cup and Round 3 of the Al Maktoum Challenge, James Doyle will again ride Algiers for Simon and Ed Grisford, having won twice last year including the Jebel Ali Mile.

Originally owned and bred by Godolphin, he was a two times stakes winner for Andre Fabre, before being purchased of Rabbah Racing and moving to Simon and son Ed Grisford in Newmarket.

Following his Jebel Ali victory, Algiers was purchased by Hamden Sultan Ali Alsabousi, and racing in his Beige and Blue Star silks has drawn Gate 13 of 15 runners, with Country Grammer in 14.

And it can’t be ignored that the increasing popular so-called ‘Gulf Gateway to The $12m Dubai World Cup’ has the Saudi Cup winner Panthalassa heading the 27 Japanese horses now in Meydan.

Now at $11, having drawn the outside in 15, the natural front runner Panathalassa will again be ridden by Yutaka Yoshida for the world-rated Yoshito Yahagi, having last year won the Dubai Turf.

Also, on the Gulf Gateway from the Saudi Cup is Café Pharoah at $12, with $14 for Geoglyph, Crown Pride at $16, the 2022 Saudi Cup winner Emblem Road at $17 and Jun Light Bolt at $18.

With the Japanese dominating the $30.5m Dubai World Cup Carnival it’s their Japanese Horse of The Year Equinox who’s $2.05 favourite for the $6m Longines Sheema Classic of 2414m on turf.

The winner last season of the rich Arma Kinen and Tenno Sho Autumn and placed second in the Japan Derby and 2000 Guineas, he’ll again be ridden by Christophe Lemaire for Tetsuya Kimura.

Bred by Northern Farm, he by the dual Japan Horse of The Year and Japan Cup winner Kitasan Black from the Group 3 winning King Halo mare Chateau Blanche, and half-brother Weiss Meteor.

Again, it’s the unbeaten champion Frankel that keeps siring to big winner, with his Neom Turf Cup winner Mostahdaf being at $5.50, and will be ridden by Jim Crowley for Shadwell Estates.

Also sired by Frankel, and being $5.50 is the Irish Derby winner Westover who was a last start sixth to Alpanasta in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, with Ralph Beckett having Ryan Moore to ride.

At $31 is Hong Kong Gold Cup winner Russian Emperor who commenced the Gulf International season by taking out the Qatar HH Amir Trophy for Albert Sanna and HK trainer Douglas Whyte.

With Douglas Whyte holding a world record 13 consecutive jockeys’ titles, it’s the royally bred Russian Emperor who’s by the great sire-of-sires Galileo from Australian champion Atlantic Jewel.

With the Gulf Gateway moving onto Bahrain after the Saudi Cup it was Godolphin having a King’s Cup one-two with the Saeed bin Suroor trained Power And Glory defeating First Ruler on the line.

Now with Christophe Soumillion riding, Power And Glory is $13 for the ‘2 mile’ Dubai Gold Cup on turf, with Godolphin also having Siskany as $3.90fav, $10 for Global Storm and Trawlerman at $17.