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| Staff Writer |
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Forever Young, winner of the Gr.1 Saudi Cup, stands at the forefront of 18 horses expected to ship from Japan to Dubai for the Gr.1 Dubai World Cup and its undercard races. The champion traveler journeyed with eight other horses direct from Riyadh to Dubai in Feb. The Japanese-trained runners at Meydan on April 5 are projected to reach 27, matching the co-highest Japanese delegation on Dubai World Cup Day from 2023.
Japanese contenders in the Gr.1 Dubai Sheema Classic are spearheaded by Danon Decile, winner of the Gr.1 Japanese Derby in 2024, who made a triumphant seasonal debut on Jan. 26 when the 4YO colt claimed the Gr.2 American Jockey Club Cup at Nakayama.
Durezza, who finished a narrowly beaten second in the Gr.1 Japan Cup at Tokyo last November, and Cervinia, winner of the Gr.1 Japanese Oaks in 2024, are also targeting the Sheema Classic. They're joined by ShinEmperor, who shared second place with Durezza in the Japan Cup through a dead heat and recently won the Gr.2 Neom Turf Cup at Riyadh in February this year, in the 1½ mile turf event carrying a total purse of US$6 million.
Four Japanese representatives will contest the Gr.1 Dubai Turf, including Liberty Island, winner of the Japanese Triple Tiara for 3YO fillies in 2023 and runner-up to Romantic Warrior in the Gr.1 Hong Kong Cup in December in her latest outing.