Equinox, 2022’s best three-year-old in the world on official ratings, faces defending champion Shahryar in a Longines Sheema Classic to savour.
The winner of the G1 Arima Kinen last time out, Equinox arrives in Dubai seemingly at the peak of his powers.
“This is his first overseas trip and he’s still getting used to his new surroundings,” said trainer Tetsuya Kimura. “Although I think ‘s getting better day by day and I am happy with how he’s moving. This horse has plenty of talent and I hope that he can live up to the expectations of Japanese race fans by winning the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic.
“This is a tough race but Christophe knows Meydan and knows this horse so I am not concerned,” he continued. “There have been some very good winners of the Dubai Sheema Classic and so I respect how difficult it will be. It is an honour to be here with a horse like Equinox.”
Shahryar could make history by becoming the first horse to win this race for the second time. However, the five-year-old hasn’t won since beating Yibir in this contest a year ago. He comes here fresh, having last been since finishing second to Dubai World Cup contender Vela Azul in November’s G1 Japan Cup.
The Japanese challenge is completed by the mare Win Marilyn, who beat the reopposing Botanik in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase in December, while Hong Kong run two; G1 winner Russian Emperor, trained by Douglas Whyte, and Caspar Fownes’ Senor Toba.
“The good thing about this horse is that his best distance is anywhere from 2,000 metres to 2,400 metres,” said Whyte, who has been riding Russian Emperor himself in the mornings. “We know it is a good race but it is an honour to represent Hong Kong and we hope he can be competitive.”
Perhaps the main danger to the Japanese stars comes from Godolphin hope Rebel’s Romance, trained by Charlie Appleby.
The winner of the 2021 UAE Derby here on dirt, the five-year-old is five from five on turf, including the G1 Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf in November.
Inflammation ruled him out of an intended prep on Super Saturday, but Appleby reports that everything has gone to plan since.
“Rebel’s Romance is the one I am most looking forward to,” said the dual British Champion Trainer.
“Ideally, he would have had a race start leading into the big night, but he did a racecourse gallop ten days ago and we were delighted with that. It’s a race of real strength in depth with form lines all over the world coming together, but he’s a terrific horse who has done nothing but improve as he has got older.”
The British challenge looks strong, with John Gosden – a three-time winner of this race – combining with son Thady in the training of Mostahdaf, winner of the G3 Neom Turf Cup in Saudi Arabia last month.
Up against them is the Ralph Beckett-trained Westover, who landed the G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby last season and who makes his four-year-old debut here.
“This has been the plan since the Arc,” said Beckett. “He’s full of beans and has been training really well. He’s a very straightforward horse to deal with and there’s nothing that bothers him. It’s the right spot for him.”
The Longines Dubai Sheema Classic precedes the Dubai World Cup as race eight, scheduled for 8pm UAE.