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DUBAI - Pompeii Ruler and Tawqeet, first and third in the Australian Cup at Caulfield on Saturday, are set to be Australia's representatives at the Dubai World Cup meeting on March 31.
The country has taken the Dubai Carnival by storm, winning three times, thanks to the Tony Noonan-trained pair, Benedetti and Smart And Mighty.
And now it looks to have fine chances in the US$5 million ($7.1 million) Dubai Sheema Classic and US$5 million Dubai Duty Free, the richest turf races in the world.
Trainer Mick Price will saddle Pompeii Ruler in the Dubai Duty Free, and believes his son of Genuine can add to Australia's sole victory in that race, which came courtesy of Elvstroem in the in 2005 Dubai Duty Free.
"I've had some really good horses, but none as good as this one," said Price, who has trained more than 850 winners, including numerous successes at the top level.
"He has achieved so much for such a lightly-raced horse - he was only beaten inches in last year's Cox Plate, and we were pretty confident before the Australian Cup at the weekend.
"Dubai figured in our plans following his run in the Cox Plate, and the timing of the race is perfect. We'll have three weeks to freshen him up, and we'll probably take him over next week.
"He's never travelled overseas before, but is a beautifully-tempered gelding and we know what to expect, having taken Perfectly Ready over last year, when he came eighth in the Dubai Golden Shaheen.
"The facilities are excellent and the quarantine process is very smooth, so logistically it won't be a problem."
Tawqeet is one of the stars of Australian racing, having won the Caulfield Cup in October and has the perfect profile going into the Dubai Sheema Classic.
Trainer David Hayes is in no doubt that his charge, who runs in the colours of Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, can play a leading role in the 2400m contest.
The legendary Australian trainer saddled Helene Vitality to finish second in the race five years ago and has also been represented in the UAE by Fields Of Omagh, who was seventh in the Dubai Duty Free last year.
"Tawqeet is a far better horse than Helene Vitality," said Hayes. "In terms of a mile and a half (2400m) horses, he is one of the best I've had, up there with Jeune, who won the Melbourne Cup.
"We've been setting him for Dubai ever since he won the Caulfield Cup - the aim was always to have him peaking for the Dubai Sheema Classic.
"He's pulled up in great shape after Saturday, and I think he would have finished a lot closer if he had not been blocked at a vital stage."
- AAP
