By BARRY STREET
Trainer Trevor McKee yesterday refuted statements in a Sydney racing report headed "England beckons for Sunline."
The story quoted McKee's son and training partner, Stephen, as having said that their champion mare was unlikely to race at the World Cup meeting at Dubai in March.
It was also claimed that if Sunline went to Dubai at all it would be for an 1800m turf race rather than the 2000m World Cup on March 24.
The World Cup or American racing on sand probably wouldn't suit Sunline, Stephen McKee was quoted as saying. Therefore, England was the more favoured scene for her to stamp her class against all comers.
"As far as I'm concerned, Dubai is definitely still on the cards," Trevor McKee said yesterday.
"Whether she races in the World Cup or the turf race will probably depend on the strength of the fields.
"There've already been a few notable dropouts from the cup, but other top horses have been coming through.
"More especially, though, Sunline would need to come up again exactly the way we'd like her to be for Dubai.
"I see no reason why she wouldn't race well on sand. A good deal of her work here at Takanini has been on sand, and she's had absolutely no trouble with that.
"In fact, she's won on tracks from firm to soft and heavy, so why wouldn't she cope with sand? She's so versatile."
McKee, who owns a half-share of the $10 million winner, said it was true that during the next fortnight a good many overseas opportunities for Sunline would be considered.
"After all," he said, "any overseas plans need to be made months in advance. It's not like the local scene where you can sort out a race in a fortnight, jump in a float and go.
"We'd be foolish to overlook any opportunities for her, wherever they might be."
Sunline has been at the Sandown quarantine quarters in Melbourne for a fortnight since her triumph in the Hong Kong Mile last month.
Her quarantine period ends today and she has been booked to be flown back to Auckland late on Friday night or early Saturday.
Pacework at Sandown had kept her from becoming too gross, McKee said.
The Coolmore Classic, a group one 1500m for fillies and mares, at Rosehill in Sydney on March 24 would be the preferred alternative if a Dubai campaign seemed too difficult.
Racing: Overseas contests being weighed up for champion
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