Godolphin’s Melbourne Cup-winning Cross Counter headlines this year running of the US$6m Group One affair. The son of Teofilo has won three of his six starts and has been runner-up in two other starts.
The Melbourne Cup, Australia's showpiece race, will again be the Teofilo gelding's main target this year.
"A defense of his Melbourne Cup crown is an obvious long-range target, but we know he'll be getting a lot more weight this time," said the trainer, whose team on World Cup night could also include the aforementioned Old Persian,” trainer Charlie Appleby told Bloodhorse earlier this year.
Aidan P. O'Brien trained-Galileo colt, Magic Wand could be his biggest threat. Runner-up in the Gr.1 Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational he seems to have turned up runner-up in many key events last year. This is perhaps an opportunity to step-up to winning the position.
Yasuo Tomomichi trained-Grand Cheval will be making his international debut at Meydan after placing a strong third in Gr.1 Arima Kinen. The 2017 Japan Cup winner was beaten by Blast One-piece and Rey de Oro.
The King Kamehameha colt, Ray de Oro, has come back to Meydan stronger after landing a fourth in this race last year. The colt secured an impressive victory in the Gr.1 Tenno Sho (Autumn) with an amazing winning time of 1:56.8, which was almost seven seconds faster than Winx in the Cox Plate.
Heart's Cry colt Sauve Richard was bested by the Japanese sensation, Almond Eye in the Gr.1 Japan Cup (2018) but beat Grand Cheval in the same race whether the latter placed fourth. Since there is no Almond Eye in this one, just Cross Counter to beat, perhaps the Gr.1 Osaka Hai winner will rise to the top.
Abdulla Al Mansoori owned-Desert Encounter won the Gr.1 Canadian International before placing third the Gr.2 Dubai City of Gold, which is a prep for the Sheema Classic. Both City of Gold winner Old Persian and runner-up Racing History will be joining him in the field.
Godolphin owned Dubawi colt has been held in high esteem by knowledgeable horsemen around the world. won The multi-Group winning horse romped to victory in the Gr.2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot last year. Interestingly, both Godolphin horses have met like passing ships in the Gr.2 Great Voltigeur Stakes where Old Persian beat Cross Counter. However, since then the latter has improved and won’t be easy to beat.
Saeed bin Surror trained-Racing History is also in fine form, however, he will need to step up considerably to beat some of the ‘lords’ lining up in this field.
The final runner in this field is Hunting Horn, whose last win was over 9 months ago in the Gr.3 Hampton Court Stakes. He has a long way to go before he can catch up. But you never know.
Winner 2018: HAWKBILL
Click here to Runner list 2019
Race Info:
Distance: 2,410 metres (1 1⁄2 miles),(2,400 metres prior to 2010), Surface: Turf, Track: Left-handed,Qualification: For Southern Hemisphere 3 year olds and Northern Hemisphere four year olds,Weight: 3YO 54.5kg, NH & SH 4YO+ 57kg,Purse: US$5,000,000
Credit: Pallavi Shevade pallavi.shevade@secretariatsworld.com