The Fugue sticks to turf and Dubai Duty Free

The Fugue has been rerouted from the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse on March 29 to the Dubai Duty Free.

The Fugue is on the way to the Dubai World Cup Carnival and will stay on turf for the Dubai Duty Free. Getty Images

The Fugue has been rerouted from the Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse on March 29 for the Dubai Duty Free.

Trainer John Gosden has decided to switch the globe-trotting filly from Tapeta to turf, despite her entry for the world’s most lucrative purse.

The Fugue has never raced on an artificial surface and the Newmarket trainer told the Racing Post: “She’s going for the Duty Free. There’s a preference to run her on turf for ground reasons.”

The Fugue, who won the Irish Champion Stakes and the Yorkshire Oaks last season, was among 25 international Group 1 winners entered yesterday to Hong Kong races next month.

She could run in the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup, which is staged over 2,000 metres, while Sha Tin Racecourse will also host the Champions Mile.

Military Attack, who runs in the Dubai World Cup, was also entered to the Audemars Piguet, which he won last season, alongside fellow Meydan entrants Akeed Mofeed and Dominant.

Mike De Kock has won the Hong Kong race twice with Irridescence in 2006 and Archipenko in 2008, and he could rely on Jebel Hatta winner Vercingetorix, while Godolphin have entered Charlie Appleby’s Vancouverite.

Other notable World Cup night runners entered at Hong Kong include Soft Falling Rain, Cirrus Des Aigles, Red Cadeaux and ­Variety Club.

“The 25 G1 winners nominated and the 47 horses that have placed at G1 level or have won or placed in Pattern races reflect the broad appeal of our two spring showcases, with those horses spanning 10 nations or jurisdictions across five continents and representing the best form lines from both the northern and southern hemispheres,” said Bill Nader, the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s executive director of racing.

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