A Hong Kong hero in Dubai, a global debut for New Zealand and a golfing legend with a Group 1 favorite in South Africa: next weekend will provide a 24-hour, 12-race feast for racing fans.
The January 25 World Pool card will host meetings across three continents, beginning with two Group 1 races at Meydan Racecourse, followed by three races at Ellerslie Racecourse in New Zealand and concluding with a seven-race bonanza at Kenilworth Racecourse in South Africa.
In Dubai, the Jebel Hatta (1800 meters) on turf and the Al Maktoum Challenge (2000m) on dirt begin a big three months of Middle East action.
Originally run in early March, the two features were shifted to late January last year to create a better pathway towards the Saudi Cup and the Dubai World Cup.
Most of the attention will be on Romantic Warrior's Emirati debut in the Jebel Hatta, where he meets defending champion Measured Time. However, the Al Maktoum Challenge is also an intriguing contest.
Dubai World Cup hero Laurel River, slated to be named the world's best horse of 2024 next week, may return although he also holds an entry for the G3 Firebreak Stakes over a mile. Among his potential rivals in the Al Maktoum Challenge are last year's winner Kabirkhan - the pride of Kazakhstan - and Dubai Turf winner Facteur Cheval on his dirt debut.
Both the Jebel Hatta and Al Maktoum Challenge are set to be key form references for the world's richest race, the Saudi Cup, next month.
Hours later, the action moves to the other side of the globe and to Auckland for New Zealand's World Pool debut on the rich Karaka Millions Day.
While the three races to be taken from Ellerslie Racecourse for World Pool betting are yet to be determined, they will include the G1 Railway Stakes (1200m). Won by horses like Mr Tiz, a banner horse for former Hong Kong trainer Paul O'Sullivan, and top mare Imperatriz, this year's race is headlined by star three-year-old fillies Captured By Love and Alabama Lass. They will be ridden by Craig Williams and Sam Spratt, respectively.
Another potential runner is Master Fay, who had one start in Hong Kong for one win on New Year's Day in 2021.
The program also features a number of races restricted to horses purchased from the Karaka Yearling Sales like Group 1 winners Orchestral and Savaglee.
Later in the evening, attention shifts to South Africa and Cape Town's most prestigious race day, Cape Town Met Day at Kenilworth Racecourse.
South Africa is renowned for final fields being released incredibly early on feature days and the Cape Town Met Day barrier draws came out on Wednesday, 10 days before the meeting.
The featured G1 Cape Town Met (2000m) looks open on paper, with Durban July winner Oriental Charm and three-year-old Eight On Eighteen most likely to fight out for favoritism. See It Again, trained by former South African and British champion jockey Michael Roberts, is also among the likely fancies.
The seven races taken from Kenilworth will also include the G1 Cape Flying Championship (1000m), in which the last two winners, Gimme A Prince and Dyce, are set for a fascinating maiden clash, and the G1 Majorca Stakes (1600m), with Double Grand Slam - part-owned by golf legend Gary Player - the likely favorite.
Two Group 1 races at Meydan Racecourse will kick off a 12-race World Pool card on January 25. REUTERS
