California Chrome’s connections were delighted with his wide post position for Saturday’s Dubai World Cup after the draws were made to each of the five Group 1 races to be staged at Meydan Racecourse.
America’s horse of the year was drawn widest in gate nine for his bid to deny eight rivals in what will be the smallest field for the US$10 million (Dh36.7m) race since Invasor won in 2007.
California Chrome is drawn outside Japanese raider Epiphaneia, while defending champion African Story will break from gate three.
In all four of his Grade 1 victories last year, California Chrome sat just off the pace for much of the race and then eased into the lead around 400 metres from the finish.
Such a draw would appear to aid those tactics.
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“Nine is a perfect position for our horse,” trainer Art Sherman said. “I’ve got all the speed horses to the inside of me and he loves to run from the outside.”
Japanese challenger Hokko Tarumae and Side Glance, who has been fourth in the past two editions of the race, are the likely front-runners.
Meanwhile, Godolphin’s African Story, Japan Cup winner Epiphaneia and Lea will make it hard for California Chrome to take up a prominent position early in the race.
Joel Rosario, who won the World Cup on Animal Kingdom in 2013, will be aboard Lea and trainer Bill Mott will let the Dominican jockey make up his own mind about the pace during the race.
“I’ve heard that speed is a big asset here and Lea has tactical speed,” Mott said.
“We’ll let him place himself and see what happens.
“I think we got lucky. We’d have been happy with anything from the middle to outside draw.
“In a perfect world, we’d have liked to have been outside California Chrome, but we are still in a good spot.”
Saeed bin Suroor was the only trainer to have anything to be worried about after Prince Bishop, African Story’s stablemate, was drawn on the rail.
Prince Bishop has been slow to start in two runs this season.
They were both characterised by a late charge down the outside under William Buick to secure second.
It will be difficult to steal the richest race in the world from under the noses of some of the most accomplished jockeys on the planet from the inside.
“I just hope he jumps well. He’s been working well and this is his race,” the Al Quoz handler said.
Post positions for each of the Dubai World Cup Group 1 races
Al Quoz Sprint
1. Green Mask 2. Bundle of Joy
3. Hototo 4. Via Africa
5. Farmah 6. Sir Maxmilian
7. Sole Power 8. Mirza
9. Stepper Point 10. Amber Sky
11. Caspar Netscher 12. Caspian Prince
13. Ahtoug 14. Distinctiv Passion
15. Lancelot du Lac 16. Peniaphobia
Dubai Golden Shaheen
1. Montridge 2. Speed Hawk
3. Krypton Factor 4. Rich Tapestry
5. Salutos Amigos 6. Big Macher
7. Secret Circle 8. Lucky Nine
9. United Color 10. Shaishee
11. El Padrino 12. Super Jockey
13. Cool Cowboy 14. Muarrab
Dubai Turf
1. Euro Charline 2. Umgiyo
3. Mshawish 4. Earnshaw
5. Limario 6. The Grey Gatsby
7. Trade Storm 8. Cladocera
9. Farraaj 10. Solow
Dubai Sheema Classic
1. Sheikhzayedroad
2. Dolniya
3. True Story
4. Flintshire
5. Main Sequence
6. One and Only
7. Designs on Rome
8. Just the Judge
9. Harp Star
Dubai World Cup
1. Prince Bishop
2. Hokko Tarumae
3. African Story
4. Side Glance
5. Lea
6. Candy Boy
7. Long River
8. Epiphaneia
9. California Chrome
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