Arrogate, officially recognised as the world’s best racehorse of 2016, has been nominated for the Saturday March 25 Dubai World Cup, along with a host of other global stars of racing.

The Bob Baffert-trained four-year-old, who was the runaway winner of the Pegasus World Cup, produced his star performance to date when beating the 2016 Dubai World Cup winner, California Chrome in the Breeders’ Cup Classic last year. Arrogate was crowned Longines World’s Best Racehorse at a ceremony in London.

Also nominated to the Group 1 $10m Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates Airline at the free nominations stage, is the Art Sherman-trained Dortmund, winner of the 2015 Santa Anita Derby when trained by previous handler, Baffert.

Hoppertunity, the third-placed runner in the 2016 Dubai World Cup field and winner of the Group 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes at Belmont in the US in October 2016 has also been nominated by Baffert.

Baffert will be bidding for a third Dubai World Cup having tasted victory in 1998 with Silver Charm and 2001 with Captain Steve, whose distinctive orange and yellow colours are also carried by Hoppertunity.

Songbird, the mighty US filly trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, also carries a nomination to the Dubai World Cup. A seven-time Grade 1 winner and unbeaten in 11 starts she was heartbreakingly pipped by a nose into second by Beholder in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff in November.

The 2016 Dubai World Cup runner-up, Mubtaahij, now back in the care of South African trainer, Mike de Kock has been nominated once again for the big race. The highly consistent 2015 UAE Derby winner returned to the US for a repeat campaign during the summer, claiming second by a head in the Group 1 Woodward Stakes to Shaman Ghost.

Attempting to achieve a feat that Mubtaahij could not in 2016 is the Mikio Matsunaga-trained Lani, last year’s UAE Derby winner, who, if successful in the Dubai World Cup, will become the first horse to win the UAE Derby and Dubai World Cup in consecutive years.

Four previous de Kock-trained UAE Derby winners have returned the following year for the Dubai World Cup but none have been successful; Victory Moon (3rd in 2004), Asiatic Boy (2nd in 2008), Musir (7th in 2011) and Mubtaahij (2nd in 2016).

Nominated to the Dubai Turf sponsored by DP World field is the Mark Casse-trained race mare, Tepin. The US-based six-time Group/Grade 1 winner traveled to Royal Ascot in the summer to land the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes. She is being campaigned for the $6m Dubai Turf and will return to action in the Grade 3 Endeavor Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs in February.

Postponed, the Roger Varian-trained winner of the 2016 Dubai Sheema Classic has been nominated for a defense of his title.

Aidan O’Brien’s all-conquering Ballydoyle has nominated a strong team including Group 1-winning filly, Seventh Heaven for the Dubai Sheema Classic. The globetrotting Highland Reel, winner of the Breeders Cup Turf and runner-up in the Hong Kong Vase in November and December respectively, holds a nomination for both the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic and the Dubai World Cup.

In the sprinting divisions Limato, the Henry Candy trained Group 1 star, Hong Kong’s perennial flag bearer, Peniaphobia and compatriot, Lucky Bubbles have been nominated for the Al Quoz Sprint, which is now held at 1200m. Australian speedballs, Darley Classic victor, Malaguerra and Signs of Blessing, winner of the Group 1 Prix Maurice du Gheest trained by Phil Damato also hold nominations.

The 1200m dirt sprint, the Dubai Golden Shaheen sponsored by Gulf News has seen the Chad Summers-trained Mind Your Biscuits, winner of the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes and Baffert’s Defrong the unbeaten 2016 Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner from the USA nominated to its ranks. Also in the running are Japanese runner, Nero and Hong Kong based, Dundonnell trained by Caspar Fownes.

Dubai Racing Club received 1,549 nominations for 779 horses from 22 countries for the 2017 Dubai World Cup day. The 2016 renewal of the event received 1,572 nominations from 709 horses from 20 countries at the same stage.

The first supplementary stage for all races on Dubai World Cup day will close on Wednesday February 8, 2017 when connections can nominate their horse for 0.1 per cent of the prize money of their chosen race.

The second supplement is on Monday March 6, 2017 and horses can be supplemented for 1.0 per cent of the prize money. Declarations and the final, third supplementary stage for Dubai World Cup day 2017 take place on Monday March 20, 2017, five days before the event is staged at Meydan Racecourse. At this point horses can be supplemented into the race for 10 per cent of the prize money.

Malih Al Basti, Meydan Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Meydan Racing Committee said: “With 22 countries represented among the 2017 Dubai World Cup nominations we once again look forward to hosting a truly global day of racing on Saturday March 25.

“The Dubai World Cup is not only the world’s richest day of racing but also a day when racing communities from all corners of the globe come together before the eyes of the world on Meydan Racecourse’s purpose-built stage in the spirit of competition.

“We are gratified that our support for international racing in the form of subsidies and prize money continues to attract such a strong response from the world’s biggest names.

“Yet we are just as pleased to welcome to the Dubai World Cup the relative newcomers to the world stage from countries such as South Korea. Our wish, and that of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, when he founded the Dubai World Cup in 1996 was to create a truly global event and it is rewarding to see that vision fulfilled year after year.”

2017 Dubai World Cup Nominations by Numbers:
Total Horses: 779
Total Nominations: 1549
$10m Dubai World Cup, Group 1 2000m (dirt): 168
$6m Dubai Sheema Classic, Group 1, 2410m (turf): 181
$6m Dubai Turf, Group 1 1800m (turf): 248
$2m Dubai Golden Shaheen Group 1 1200m (dirt): 167
$1m Al Quoz Sprint, Group 1, 1200m (turf): 192
$2m UAE Derby, Group 2, 1900m (dirt): 155
$1m Dubai Gold Cup, Group 2, 3200m (turf): 115
$1m Godolphin Mile, Group 2, 1600m (dirt): 264
$1m Dubai Kahayla Classic, Group 1 (PA) 2000m (dirt): 59

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A virus is unlikely the cause of Playboy Buddy’s modest effort in the Flamboyant Stakes on New Year’s Day, but rather some strong opposition over a distance short of her best. The race won by visiting Fort Ember contained some smart fillies in the line-up including Lala and Impala Lily who finished first and runner-up respectively at Scottsville on Sunday.

The Dean Kannemeyer-trained Playboy Buddy takes a substantial drop in class at Greyville this afternoon and although she takes a corresponding rise in the weights she looks good enough to land the Interbet FM 82 Handicap over 1900m.

Playboy Buddy’s form before the Flamboyant was impeccable having finished second to the more than useful Lala and going one better to beat Princess Varunya. All of her best recent form has been on the poly track and back on her favoured surface from an inside gate makes her the one to beat.

Johan Janse van Vuuren acquired a taste for KZN racing with a string based at Ashburton for Champions Season and has raided successfully since. He saddles Readyforyourlove who makes her poly debut and who looks to be the main threat to Playboy Buddy’s chances.

The imported daughter of Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown has something of a dirt pedigree and the switch to the poly track could bring out the best in her. She has not been finishing off her races, leading for much of the way before being caught over the final furlong. With only 53,5kg to shoulder, in receipt of 8kg from Playboy Buddy, she could make all the running.

The light weight, Iced Up and Waity Katie look pick of the balance but Playboy Buddy may just have enough in hand to chase down Readyforyourlove but it is likely to be a close-run thing.

Wild Wicket didn’t make it to start when fancied to win on his handicap debut after knocking himself on the way to the start and being withdrawn by the vet. He lines up again in the Lightning Shot Bar Handicap and Duncan Howells will be hoping that the gelding continues on his winning ways.

Much was expected of Wild Wicket in his first three starts but after letting the side down for the third time it was a case of “three strikes and they’re out” and his last run was as a gelding. The transformation was instant and Wild Wicket doddled home to his maiden win – closely tracking the early pace and quickening away to win as he liked.

The handicappers were also impressed by his performance and his rating rocketed from a 71 to 84.

He takes on some seasoned campaigners this afternoon but shows plenty of scope.

Ahead of Wild Wicket in the maiden won by Mr O’Neill – who incidentally has also made major improvement since gelding – was Black Forest who finished second. Frank Robinson’s horses looked a picture of health at Scottsville on Sunday where he was rewarded by Bank The Cash and strictly on that form he looks a threat to Wild Wicket.

However, he took a further two runs to shed his maiden and the form of those races is not strong. However, Black Forest has not been out since his maiden win in November last year and is likely to have strengthened up in the interim.

Janse van Vuuren sends out the lightly raced Nala in the Durban View Restaurant FM 76 Handicap where the daughter of Trippi will be out to keep a clean sheet on the poly. The four-year-old obviously has problems having only raced three times with months off between outings. However, both her wins have come on the synthetic surface and given her record Janse van Vuuren is likely to have her fully prepped for this race even though her last outing was in August last year.

Others returning from lengthy breaks are Sister Cosmos and Vine Street Star, both of whom look capable and worth following in the market.

By Andrew Harrison

A string of disappointing performances by his horses over the summer and particularly Sun Met day, led trainer Dean Kannemeyer to discover that his Milnerton-based string has been infected with a low-grade virus.

Kannemeyer issued a public statement yesterday stating; “When all of my Met day runners performed so poorly I realised that something was definitely amiss. The difficulty is that, despite the virus, the horses eat well and work well, but do not display any outward symptoms of illness. But their falling away late in their races and fading to nothing suggested that all was definitely not well”.

Kannemeyer, whose Summerveld satellite base in KwaZulu-Natal has been regularly producing winners, called in leading veterinarian Dr John McVeigh who took the bloods from his runners after the Met and randomly tested 18 horses in his Cape yard.

The results came back positive last Monday, 6 February.

According to McVeigh, this virus is common and widespread throughout the equine population worldwide.

“I am told that the virus will go as quickly as it arrived. We will thus be treating the entire string and ease off them for at least a fortnight,” said Kannemeyer. He added that the virus was not expected to have any impact on his SA Champions Season plans and that it would be business as usual later on this month in the Cape.

By Andrew Harrison

Western Cape Equine Trust chairman Ken Truter has persuaded owners of some of the country’s top stallions to part with a service to raise funds for charity when racing resumes at Kenilworth on Saturday.

Those with stud fees up for auction include Duke Of Marmalade and Oratorio who both stand at R100 000, Twice Over (R50 000) and Ideal World (R40 000).

The busy Truter, who last month added the chairmanship of the National Horseracing Authority to his duties, said: “The auction of the services will take place in the Peninsula Room, half the money will go to the Equine Trust and half to the Horses For Causes charity.”

The Equine Trust will use its share to help fund its programme for the retraining and rehoming of retired racehorses. The other stallion services to be sold are those for What A Winter, Pathfork, Coup De Grace, Captain Of All, Elusive Fort, Pomodoro, Vercingetorix and Go Deputy.

This the first racemeeting at the Cape Town course since the Sun Met 11 days ago but two of the principal players will be sitting on the sidelines.  Corne Orffer is out for ten days for failing to do enough to stop Captain America interfering with fourth-placed Gold Standard when third in the Met and Grant van Niekerk has an identical ban for a similar offence after the fast-finishing Trip To Heaven hampered Tevez (fifth) on the way through when second in the Cape Flying Championship.

Robert Khathi, who recently returned from a stint in Bahrain, is the principal beneficiary of the Van Niekerk suspension. He has rides in all eight races including five for Candice Bass-Robinson. Craig du Plooy, in action for the first time since breaking bones in his hand at the beginning of November, has three mounts for Justin Snaith.

By Michael Clower

Turffontein Standside stages an eight race meeting on Tuesday night and not surprisingly some good horses have been attracted on the eve of the Highveld Autumn Season.

The headliner is a Conditions Plate over 1400m and it is worth visiting the track for this race alone as it sees an intriguing clash between New Predator and Kangaroo Jack. On paper there is not much between them. Kangaroo Jack won easing up the last time they met over 1450m in October and at level weights was 2,2 lengths ahead of New Predator at the line. However, New Predator is now 6kg better off which brings them together on paper. New Predator was also making his seasonal reappearance in that race and likely needed it. Furthermore, he had a wide draw and after being dropped out he had too much to do. This is his first run since returning from Cape Town and he might also need it as it is likely a pipe opener for the Autumn season.

However, importantly, he is well drawn this time so should be closer turning for home. He is classy and 1400m running fresh will be right down his alley, so he is tipped to win. However, there is unlikely to be much in it. Kangaroo Jack will likely be more forward and has never looked in danger of defeat in his last two starts over this sort of distance. He doesn’t have a bad draw of six. On paper Forest Fox also has a shout, being 1,5kg better off with Kangaroo Jack for a 0,5 length beating over course and distance.

However, Kangaroo Jack won that race hands and heels and was being eased at the line. Forest Fox was once a frustrating sort, who would get out it at the slightest opportunity, but he has become consistent lately and is beginning to fulfil his potential. Will Pays is only 0,5kg better off for a two length beating by Kangaroo Jack over 1450m in October. He has gone off the boil in his last two starts too, so will need to bounce back. Bulleting Home is a strapping sort, who is likely at his best over 1400m. He will also relish the long straight here, although he has a tricky draw of seven.

In race three, a Conditions Plate over 1000m, Green Pepper could take another step towards proving herself a likely successor to the current best female sprinter in the land, Carry On Alice. She is officially only third best in the weights here running off a merit rating of 106, but looks to have plenty more to come. She beat her chief danger here, Joan Ranger, by 3,75 lengths back in November over course and distance when receiving 7,5kg. They now face each other at level weights and, considering weight for age allowances per month, this puts them just about together.

Furthermore, Joan Ranger was a touch unlucky that day as she didn’t get her usual good start. Joan Ranger has speed and a good kick at the end so is going to be a tough nut to crack, especially as the Lucky Houdalakis yard is in such fine form. However, the verdict goes to the exciting prospect Green Pepper, albeit only just. Old Em is officially the best in at the weights, but has to bounce back from a 17 length beating by Green Pepper over 1160m on Summer Cup day, where she was found to be not striding out.

A Pinnacle Stakes staying race over 2450m will also be a highlight. These races often throw up results which make a mockery of the merit ratings. The best weighted horse here, Cool Chardonnay, looks likely to need the run, although no Weiho Marwing-trained horse can ever be completely discounted in a staying event. Go Direct is the up-and-coming stand out of the race and is tipped to win, being a son of Go Deputy whose progeny come into their own as four-year-olds and who have stamina aplenty.

Consistent stayer Storm Warning goes very well for Piere Strydom and is the second best in at the weights, so looks the chief danger. Officially he is 1,5kg well in with Go Direct. Odd Rob is an interesting contender, despite officially being 6,5kg under sufferance with Cool Chardonnay. He over raced with blinkers on in his penultimate start over 3200m and otherwise could have gone close. The blinkers are now off. The Elmo Effect is also out at the weights, but is consistent over this trip. Kingmambo’s Legacy is a runner from pole over a suitable trip. He is 1,5kg better off with Go Direct for a 1,4 length beating over 2000m. Deputy Jud is not the most reliable and could be in it if things go his way, but he does have a wide draw to overcome.

By David Thiselton