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| Staff Writer |
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Sword Point is heading to Dubai World Cup night after connections accepted an invitation to contest the Gr.2 Godolphin Mile at Meydan on April 5. Trainer Frankie Lor confirmed the American Pharoah gelding will continue his preparation in Sunday's Gr.1 Gold Cup at Sha Tin.
The 6YO's meteoric rise, including two emphatic victories on Sha Tin's all-weather track this season, has seen his rating climb to 111, prompting the overseas campaign.
"There are no more dirt races for him here in Hong Kong, so I need to run him on Sunday and then after, maybe he will trial before we go to Dubai," Lor said.
Sword Point joins an impressive Hong Kong delegation at the Dubai World Cup meeting, with champion Romantic Warrior leading the charge. The Danny Shum trainee holds entries in both the Gr.1 Dubai Turf and Gr.1 Dubai World Cup.
The sprinting division sees California Spangle, Invincible Sage, Howdeepisyourlove, Flying Ace and Beauty Waves targeting the Gr.1 Al Quoz Sprint, while Beauty Waves maintains a second option in the Gr.1 Dubai Golden Shaheen.
Before Dubai, Sword Point faces a stern test in Sunday's Gold Cup, drawing barrier eight with Andrea Atzeni in the saddle. He enters following an eighth-place finish behind Chancheng Glory in the Gr.3 Centenary Vase on turf.
Stablemate Happy Together, a Group Three winner, joins from barrier four under Alexis Badel. Three-time Group One victor Voyage Bubble, trained by Ricky Yiu, seeks a third consecutive elite success from the rail under James McDonald.
McDonald's limited Sunday engagement stems from travel complications following his ride on Romantic Warrior in the US$20 million Saudi Cup on Saturday night.
Lor's Bottomuptogether defends his perfect record over Sha Tin's straight 1,000m in the Class Two Citi Private Bank Handicap. Hugh Bowman takes over from the injured Zac Purton on the progressive sprinter.
"He's won twice down the straight," Lor noted. "The race should be run at a fast pace and that should be suitable for him. I don't want him to always go forward. If the pace is fast, maybe he can relax. He trialled last week with Hugh Bowman on and he trialled well."
The talented sprinter faces Magic Control, Full Credit, Whizz Kid, Superb Capitalist, James Tak, Stellar Express and Healthy Healthy in a competitive contest.