Should be no problem in Dubai
For Henry Cecil and for Twice Over, the world's richest horse race is about far more than just the money.
The Dubai World Cup offers riches galore, but to the legendary trainer and his favourite horse it offers the chance to underline the brilliance of both man and beast on the most spectacular of stages.
Twelve months on from a defeat that still rankles his connections, Twice Over returns to the opulence and excess of Sheikh Mohammed's racecourse in the desert, bidding to avenge a painful loss.
Since then, the real Twice Over has re-emerged. Victories in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes and Emirates Airline Champion Stakes highlighted another successful European season, while an impressive defeat of re-opposing rivals Musir and Gitano Hernando this month confirmed that Meydan holds no fears to the sprightly six-year-old with the troublesome feet.
Another fascinating aspect to the race is Aidan O'Brien's return to Dubai for the first time in six years, his absence in no small part due to the frosty relations between Coolmore and Sheikh Mohammed, the sport's two superpowers.
Yet Ballydoyle's World Cup hope Cape Blanco will carry the colours of not Magnier, Tabor or Smith but new lead owner Fitri Hay, whose purchase of an interest in last year's Irish Derby and Irish Champion Stakes winner has enabled her retained rider Jamie Spencer to chase glory for a trainer whose yard he once walked away from.
This, though, is no two-horse race. Sheikh Mohammed, in the form of Godolphin, has three of the 14 runners, none more obviousthan Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner Poet's Voice.
Should Poet's Voice and Frankie Dettori triumph, the home team will be happy. This, however, and as ever, is the most international of races.
Japan, represented by the nation's four-legged sweetheart Buena Vista, Victoire Pisa and Transcend, has a huge shout, as do World Cup regulars America with Gio Ponti and Fly Down and South Africa courtesy of Mike De Kock's pair Musir and Golden Sword.
What they say
Tim Poole, assistant to Nick Zito, trainer of Fly Down
"When he ran in the Donn it was a speed-favouring racetrack and when they let horses get away with a slow pace like that it becomes very frustrating for a horse trying to close. He was running his race, he just couldn't close the kind of ground he needed to."
Jamie Spencer, rider of Cape Blanco
"He showed he was a top-class three-year-old, winning the Irish Derby and Irish Champion, and hopefully he's improved again. It's his first start of the year and his first time on the surface, but he's trained on it at home. Aidan thinks he likesit and he has certainly shown that in his work, so it wouldn't be an issue. What happened to Twice Over last year was probably more to do with the draw and he's going to be a tough nut to crack after his last run."
Christophe Clement, trainer of Gio Ponti
"We hope, like last year, to be in the first half of the field so gate five is great. We're hoping for a good trip and hopefully he'll make it this year. Everything is great.He is very sound and very happy. There's not much I can do now; I don't do the running, he does. So, it's up to him. We are confident and hope for the best."
Katsuhiko Sumii, trainer of Victoire Pisa
"He is in good condition and travelled well. He's never competed with such strong horses and has never run on all-weather, but has had hard training on the surface, so I have confidence and the all-weather should suit him. We were beaten by Buena Vista at Tokyo racecourse, a big galloping course, and we beat her at Nakayama racecourse, which has short bends, so I am looking forward to seeing what is going to happen on the all-weather course on Saturday."
Mike De Kock, trainer of Musir and Golden Sword
"I think they are two very good horses. Musir has been prepared for the race and his two lead-up races have been excellent.He's a very explosive horse who can quicken very well, so the trip is going to be a little bit of a problem, but hopefully his guts and class can pull him through, and he was a winner on World Cup night last year so he knows his way around. Golden Sword is a horse who has had his problems but he's as good as we've seen him for a while and is the track record holder over the course and distance."
Marco Botti, trainer of Gitano Hernando
"I have seen a lot of improvement in him while he has been here and I think there was still improvement in him when he was second to Twice Over. If I am right then he will be spot-on for the race. I could not be happier with him and he should be 100 per cent."
Takayuki Yasuda, trainer of Transcend
"He eats up very well and came from a cold-weather country to the warm climate of Dubai, which was good for his condition."
Simon Crisford, racing manager to Godolphin, owners of Poet's Voice, Monterosso and Prince Bishop
"Poet's Voice is by far and away the best of them on official ratings and what he has achieved to date. He has been there and done it. He beat some of the best horses in the world over a mile at Ascot last year. Obviously, this is a longer trip but he has settled down and the track at Meydan will suit him.
"Monterosso won a Group 2 over a mile and a half. He is coming back in distance and has quite a lot to prove. Having said that, he is a very good horse. Prince Bishop won a Group 2 as well over a mile and a half. He is shortening in distance and has to improve but he too is a very good competitor."
Richard Mullen, rider of Richard's Kid
"He's in good order and worked very well the other morning. He's improved 50 per cent for his prep race, when he badly needed the run, and he looks amazing. He's training very well and was only beaten two and a half lengths in the race last year."
Henry Cecil, trainer of Twice Over
"I think he's a better horse this year. He hasn't got the best of feet and now he has these special shoes on, which hardly touch his feet, he's a much happier horse. He seems to have got himself balanced and I'll think he'll cope with the draw, which is not quite so bad this time. He's adapted well to the track this year and is handling it better from the experience he's had on it now. He's actually better in every way."
Ryan Moore, rider of Buena Vista
"I think the Japanese horses are often underestimated and perhaps she has slipped under the radar a little. She has great form and if she performs as she has in the past then she would have legitimate claims. I've ridden in races she has won so I am well aware of her quality. The draw will not be a problem because she comes from off the pace. She is very relaxed here and seems to like the track. We are expecting a good run."
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