The Shanghai Race Club

So – here we are. The final field is decided and the post positions (saddle cloth numbers) have been drawn. Here is a run-down of all 14 runners for Saturday’s spectacular in post-position order.

1. Fly Down

Posted a career best effort when 3rd in Breeders Cup Classic behind Blame and Zenyatta That level of form would give him a shout, but has a poor win record and recent reappearance at Gulfstream lacked sparkle.

2. Monterosso

Won a Group 2 over 12 furlongs at Royal Ascot for Mark Johnston and was a creditable fourth behind Cape Blanco in last season’s Irish Derby. Showed he was in decent form for new trainer, Mahmoud Al Zarooni, when landing a Group 2 here on Turf over 12 furlongs, but much more on his plate here and looks vulnerable dropped back in trip.

3. Prince Bishop

Progressive form for Andre Fabre in France last season and culminated his campaign with a Group 2 win at Longchamp over 12f. Only a fair effort when beaten five and quarter lengths by Twice Over last time and needs to raise his game significantly if he is to get involved.

4. Cape Blanco

Hugely significant runner as he is Coolmore’s first ever runner in the Dubai World Cup. Showed top class form in England last year when beating Epsom Derby winner, Workforce, in Dante Stakes and posted best ever performance when routing the field in the Irish Champion Stakes. Lacks a recent run and unproven on Tapeta surface, but possesses both speed and stamina and is an immense talent. Jamie Spencer rides.

5. Gio Ponti

Talented but frustrating horse who was last seen finishing second to Goldikova in Breeders’ Cup Mile. Effective on this surface (was 4th in last year’s World Cup), but not an easy horse to win with and a place is probably his best hope here.

6. Victoire Pisa

Japanese raider who won the Japanese 2000 Guineas over this trip last season. Continued his progress with a 3rd in the Japan Cup  and followed that with a narrow victory over Buena Vista in the Arima Kinen. Was an easy winner of a Grade 2 last time over 9f and although he is unproven on artificial surfaces, he brings a high level of form to the table and this trip looks ideal for him.

7. Musir

Recorded solid efforts when second to both Skysurfers and Twice Over on this track, but needs to find significant improvement to land this prize and looks an unlikely winner.

8. Gitano Hernando

Recently purchased by Chechen president, Ramzan Kadyrov. This colt has always been well regarded by trainer Marco Botti, but is yet to deliver on the big stage. Ran a creditable race behind Twice Over here last time, but hard to see him reversing the placings with Henry Cecil’s colt and will need a very strong pace to be seen to best effect.

9. Transcend

Won the Japan Cup Dirt in 2010 and followed up with a victory in the Grade 1 February Stakes at Tokyo last month. Improving and effective on artificial surfaces – just a case of whether his form is strong enough to compete with the best here (Japanese dirt races have tended to be weaker than the equivalent turf races)

10. Poet’s Voice

Godolphin’s main hope and the chosen ride of Frankie Dettori. Landed a Group 1 victory at Ascot last season over a mile in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, but looked a non-stayer behind Twice Over in the English Champion Stakes. Ran a sound race behind Wigmore Hall here last time, but stamina doubts remain and he is unproven on artificial surfaces.

11. Richard’s Kid

Has three Grade 1s to his name in the USA and capable of running to a high level. Hasn’t made an impact in two attempts over this course and distance, but possible we will see a better performance if the early pace is generous.

12. Twice Over

Three times Group 1 winner trained by legendary English handler Henry Cecil and owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah. Was disappointing in last season’s Dubai World Cup, but that was a falsely run race and he proved his effectiveness over this course and distance when running out an impressive winner in the 3rd round of the Maktoum Challenge in February. Looks sure to run a big race under regular jockey Tom Queally – and sets a high standard for the others to match.

13. Buena Vista

Top class Japanese mare, who ran a fine race on World Cup night last year when second to Dar Re Mi in the Sheema Classic. Hasn’t enjoyed much luck since – was very unfortunate to lose the Japan Cup in the Stewards Room and was just denied by Victoire Pisa in the Arima Kinen. Although unproven on surface, she is sure to put in a bold display – but suspicion remains that she might prefer 12 furlongs. Former English champion jockey, Ryan Moore, takes the ride.

14. Golden Sword

Switched to this race due to a late injury to Bold Silvano. Comfortable winner of a couple of minor events over this course and distance during the Carnival, but needs to take a major step forward to land this prize.

CONCLUSION:

An absolutely fascinating and open renewal of this valuable prize. Twice Over is a top class colt, who proved he goes well at this track last time when winning Round 3 of the Maktoum Challenge. He is a possible winner for Henry Cecil, but preference is for Coolmore’s first ever World Cup runner, CAPE BLANCO. Aidan O’Brien steps into unknown territory with this colt, but one suspects that new owner Fitri Hay wanted to specifically target this race with her new purchase  – and if this colt can reproduce the form he showed at either York or Leopardstown last season, then he will be extremely hard to beat. If he does fail, then it could just be that we witness an emotional victory for Japan at a time of national crisis. They have two strong challengers, and Victoire Pisa is fancied to edge out old adversary Buena Vista once again.

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