Godolphin's Mystic Guide (Ghostzapper), the current favourite to give Sheikh Mohammed a tenth victory in the Dubai World Cup, has drawn gate six for Saturday's $12 million contest.
His trainer Michael Stidham, who his making his Dubai debut, was clearly delighted with his 4-year-old's starting position. He said at Wednesday's draw at Meydan, “It's perfect. I couldn't be happier.”
Mystic Guide is one of three runners for the owner each trained in different countries, with the Andre Fabre trainee Magny Cours (Medaglia d'Oro) having drawn 12 and Saeed Bin Suroor's representative Gifts Of Gold (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) widest of all in 14.
Recent GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational runner-up Jesus' Team (Tapiture) will jump from stall nine and will have Sleepy Eyes Todd (Paddy O'Prado next to him in 10.
Jose Francisco D'Angelo, trainer of 4-year-old Jesus Team, said, “When I saw post position nine I was happy because it's in the middle. He doesn't need to make an aggressive move at the beginning. I like the number nine, and I am very sure [about my horse]. It was a relief. In the Breeders' Cup Mile he had to start from gate 11. He can move fast to find a good spot.”
Great Scot (GB) (Requinto {Ire}), who took third behind Mishriff (Ire) and Charlatan in the Saudi Cup last month, has the assistance of Frankie Dettori from his inside draw in stall one, with locally-trained Hypothetical (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) drawn alongside him in two, just inside Japanese raider Chuwa Wizard (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}).
Ryuji Okubo, trainer of the latter, was also satisfied with the outcome. He said, “It is a good draw. I didn't want a wide gate because [the start] is close to the first turn.”
The Fawzi Al Nass-trained Salute The Soldier (Ger) (Sepoy {Aus}) takes his place in the Dubai World Cup line-up on the back of consecutive victories in rounds two and three of the Al Maktoum Challenge. The 6-year-old has drawn 11, while Military Law (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who returns at Meydan following his sixth-place Saudi Cup finish, is in five.
Completing the field are Title Ready (More Than Ready) in gate four, Ajuste Fiscal (Uru) (Ioya Bigtime) in gate 13, Thegreatcollection (Saint Anddan) in eight, and Capezzano (Bernadini) has been drawn in seven.
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