Having had four months away from the track since his victory in the G1 Prix Royal Oak, Vazirabad (Fr) (Manduro {Ger}) had a decent prep run in second behind Beautiful Romance (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) in the G3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy and is now a warm favourite to repeat his 2016 G2 Dubai Gold Cup triumph.
Five of the first six home in that Feb. 23 contest will line up again today, including the third-placed Sheikhzayedroad (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who signed off his 2016 campaign with a flourish, twice narrowly beating Quest For More (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the G2 Doncaster Cup and G2 QIPCO Long Distance Cup on British Champions' Day.
The Gold Cup field has been significantly bolstered by the arrival in Dubai of last year's runner-up Big Orange (GB) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}), as well as Trip To Paris (Ire) (Champs Elysees {GB}) and Quest For More––the trio that filled the first three places in the 2015 G2 Goodwood Cup. With two Goodwood Cups, an Ascot Gold Cup and a Prix du Cadran between them, all three join Sheikzayedroad in boasting rock-solid form in the top European staying contests and should present serious threats to Vazirabad's bid to retain his crown.
Throw into the mix last year's G1 Emirates Melbourne Cup runner-up Heartbreak City (Fr) (Lando {Ger}), who will be partnered by the exceptional Joao Moreira and is a first runner on World Cup night for shrewd Irish dual-purpose trainer Tony Martin, and the Dubai Gold Cup is a proper Group 1 contest in all but name.
An intriguing element is the reappearance of the Aidan O'Brien-trained Kingfisher (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who has been absent from the racecourse since finishing down the field in the 2015 Melbourne Cup. Previously a runner-up in both the G1 Ascot Gold Cup and G1 Irish Derby, the 6-year-old had a year off while recovering from a leg injury and will have Ryan Moore in the saddle as he returns at action at Meydan.
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