Epiphaneia will spearhead a strong raiding party from Japan for Dubai World Cup night, following the country’s domination of the World’s Best Horse Rankings on Tuesday.
The world’s second highest-rated thoroughbred behind Just A Way scooped the Japan Cup in November, a race run over the same 2,400-metre distance as the Dubai Sheema Classic, and will come to Meydan for the March 28 event without a prep race.
The five year old is trained by Katsuhiko Sumii, who won the 2011 Dubai World Cup with Victoire Pisa and who campaigned Epiphaneia in Hong Kong last season when the horse finished fourth to Designs On Rome in the Audemars Pigeut QEII Cup at Sha Tin.
“It definitely suits our schedule because there is not a similar race for him in Japan over a mile and a half in the spring,” Fujiya Takahashi, president of the Carrot Club Corporation that owns the bay, said in London.
“As soon as he had won the Japan Cup, we made the decision. The distance, racecourse and the travel look perfect for him.”
Takahashi was not in a position to nominate a jockey, as there is still all to play for.
Regular rider Yuichi Fukunaga remained loyal to Just A Way, who he rode to success in Dubai last season, when they were fourth behind Gentildonna in the Arima Kinen in December.
Epiphaneia was one place back with Yuga Kawada on board for the first time.
Christophe Soumillon was in the saddle for the Japan Cup victory, while William Buick, now riding for Godolphin, rode Epiphaneia in March 2013.
Gold Ship was third in the Arima Kinen and remains a possibility for the Dubai Sheema Classic.
It is understood he has been entered for the World Cup and the Dubai Turf, formerly known as the Dubai Duty Free after global marine operator DP World signed up to the Dubai Racing Club as a key sponsor last week. The Dubai Turf will be worth US$6 million (Dh22m) this season, as will the Dubai Sheema Classic.
Gold Ship has won the past two Takarazuka Kinens and a third win in that 2,200m Group 1 in June remains his most likely target, according to Naosuke Sugai, who also trained Just A Way.
“I have to persuade the owner, but his ultimate dream is a third win,” he said.
Other reported Japanese entries include Hokko Tarumae – Japan’s top dirt horse of last season who finished last behind African Story in the final World Cup on Tapeta – and One And Only, the Japanese Derby winner who could also run in the Sheema Classic.
Elsewhere, Euro Charline will be aimed at the Dubai Turf, having returned to Marco Botti’s stables in England.
Euro Charline, who is owned by Team Valor, who won the World Cup with Animal Kingdom in 2013, became the first three-year-old filly to win the Beverley D at Arlington Park in the United States, in August, after which she fractured a foot.
“Euro Charline is going very well and I am pleased with her,” Botti said. “She is moving well and is in great form at this time of the season.”
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