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| Staff Writer |
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Ghostwriter is primed for a showdown with global superstar Romantic Warrior in what promises to be a blockbuster renewal of the Gr.1 Dubai Turf at Meydan on Saturday.
Clive Cox's stable star, who was a consistent performer throughout his 3YO campaign, has been pleasing connections in his build-up to this international challenge.
"He's due to leave on Saturday morning and we've been very happy with his preparations," said Cox.
"He's got a long journey ahead and then next week we're very hopeful he can reproduce the consistent form he showed last year.
"He was extremely consistent last year and we're happy he has done really well over the early part of winter and had a good lead up to this race."
The Jeff Smith-owned son of Invincible Spirit regularly locked horns with City Of Troy last season and now begins his 4YO campaign with arguably an even tougher task.
As well as Hong Kong-based Romantic Warrior, Japan's Liberty Island and Soul Rush could be in opposition, while French raider Facteur Cheval adds further spice to a contest he won 12 months ago for trainer Jerome Reynier.
Cox is taking plenty of encouragement from Ghostwriter's third-placed effort in York's Juddmonte International, which was officially recognised by Longines as the world's best race in 2024.
"This is going to be a very good comparison for us up against the Japanese horses and the other international competitors," added Cox.
"But I'm very happy we ran a very respectable race behind City Of Troy in what was quoted as the best race in the world at York in the International and I hope that form can translate well when up against the international form."