Imperial Emperor and Walk of Stars, the two top fancies for Saturday’s $12 million race Dubai World Cup (G1), will start from opposing ends of the 11-horse starting gate.
However, their handler, the UAE Champion Bhupat Seemar, is adamant the draw will not damage their chances.
Imperial Emperor and Walk of Stars
Imperial Emperor, generally regarded as the leading danger to the strong Japanese hope Forever Young, is at Gate 10. His stablemate, the other major contender Walk of Stars, drew the inside post in Gate 1 in the much-anticipated ‘Post Position’ draw at Meydan Racecourse Wednesday morning.
Seemar brushed aside any concerns on the draw, declaring: “It suits both horses, so not a concern for us anyway.”
But the draw has created an interesting conundrum for the Dubai-based challengers who have already proven their worth on Meydan’s dirt.
Riding Strength and Tactics
Tadhg O’Shea with a dozen UAE titules to his name must also take heart from the way Imperial Emperor, who runs again from Gate 11, has shown he can overcome wide draws too winning the Group 2 Al Maktoum Classic, another major prep race for the $12 million race. Ridden by former Dubai World Cup-winning jockey Mickael Barzalona, Walk of Stars will break from an inside draw which can hold some early tactical advantage in the 2,000-metre contest.
Seemar said he would expect both to be in their starting spots: “Walk of Stars has loads of gate speed and will probably use his inside gate to his advantage while Imperial Emperor is a simple push-button horse — he’s won from wide draws in the past so his position isn’t an issue these days. Put him anywhere in the gate.
Seemar admits it will be difficult to face Forever Young, the winner of the 2023 UAE Derby (G2) and the $20 million Saudi Cup this year, but sees reasons for optimism.
“We know he’s one of the best horses in the world but to win it, you’ve got to be in it. May the best horse win and both will give his all. It’s horse racing, some pretty nasty favourites have done down in the past,” he said with a touch of tongue-in-cheek.
O’Shea trained Laurel River to an impressive 8 ½ length victory last year over 2023 Dubai World Cup hero Ushba Tesoro, who is back for a third attempt at the $12 million race. He seeks a historic back-to-back victory.
Said The Imperial Emperor has run wide each time he has greeted the starter on dirt, so this is nothing but another day at the office for him. That said, as we’ve seen with Laurel River winning from Gate 12 last year, I’m not too worried. If he gets a clean break we can get a little bit of space and get him a good position.
The Significance of the Draw
Middle-to-high draws have fared well historically on Meydan’s dirt track, as they allow horses to avoid an early bottleneck. But the speed of Walk of Stars out of the gates and the versatility of Imperial Emperor gives Seemar and O’Shea reason to believe.
“I think it will be a lot down to race tactics and how it all plays out in the end. You have to consider tack conditions on the day too, and, of course, a bit of luck in running as well,’ Seemar added.
Elsewhere, Japan’s multiple JRA champion trainer Yoshito Yahagi was pleased with Forever Young’s favourably positioned Gate 5. In turn, the son of a middle-distance champion Real Steel — who was a winner of the 2016 Dubai Turf at lush Meydan — has already shown that for such a big and imposing creature, he can be very sharp and very tenacious on the international stage.
Yahagi said ”He’s a horse with a winners’ mentality and a great attitude. He is very fit and very healthy going into Saturday’s race. We are very happy with him and hope to see him run another big race.”
Highlights
Yahagi has trained some of Japan’s best gallopers—such as Real Steel, and the now-retired Panthalassa, winner of the 2022 Dubai Turf and Saudi Cup—but suggests Forever Young might be the best racehorse he’s ever trained.
Other Top Draws Other top draws were given to Dubai World Cup 2023 victor Ushba Tesoro (Gate 4), Wilson Tesoro (3), Rattle N Roll (2), Ramjet (9), Mixto (9), Hit Show (7), Katonah (11) and Il Miracolo (6).
The Draw: Insights and Trends
A total of 10 horses are entered for the $6 million Dubai World Cup, and four-year-olds have a strong history in the event with eight wins and 17 placings from 80 entrants. Meanwhile, older horses have taken just five wins since then — a positive for three-year-olds such as Forever Young. Last year the Japanese runner finished a close third in the Kentucky Derby behind Mystik Dan and Sierra Leone, proving he was a force to be reckoned with.
A great mix of post–positions, along with a full-field of high-caliber entrants sets the table for what promises to be yet another compelling running of the Dubai World Cup on Saturday. Whether the draw plays a crucial role remains to be seen but the stage is set for a pulsating showdown in which Dubai will take the world.