It was another hugely successful day on the international stage for Japan, with three winners on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan, including the $A18m feature.
The Noboru Takagi-trained Ushba Tesoro has transformed from a turf journeyman to a superstar on dirt.
The winner of three of 22 starts over four seasons on the grass, the 6yo son of Orfevre is six from seven since switching to dirt,
One of eight Japanese runners in the race, Ushba Tesoro was among the tailenders early under Yuga Kawada before unleashing a whirlwind finish to defeat Algiers (Ire) (Shamardal) by two and three-quarter lengths with Emblem Road (Quality Road) a short-head back in third.
Yoshito Yahagi’s Saudi Cup winner Panthalassa (JPN) finished a disappointing tenth, and defending World Cup winner Country Grammar (USA) clocked in seventh.
Arguably the performance of the meet went to Japan’s Horse Of The Year, Equinox, in the Dubai Sheema Classic. Making his 2003 debut after closing out last year with Group 1 wins in the Tenno Sho (Autumn) and the Arima Kinen, Equinox embarrassed a top-class field by three and a half lengths, and it could have easily been double that.
Christophe Lemaire eased the Tetsuya Kimura-trained 5yo to a near walk. The son of Kitasan Black still shaved a second off the existing course record in defeating Westover (GB) (Frankel) with Zagrey (Fr) (Zarak) a further two and a quarter lengths back in third.
The Australian-bred Hong Kong representative Senor Toba (Toronado) finished last of ten.
It was Japan 1-2-3-4 in the UAE Derby with Derma Sotogake (Mind Your Biscuits) leading home Dura Erede (Duramente), Continuar (Drefong), and Perriere (Henny Hughes).
Trainer Hidetaka Otonashi said all roads lead to Churchill Downs for the first Saturday of May.
The two Australian-bred runners, The Astrologist (Zoustar) and Slight Success (Magnus) covered themselves in glory in the Al Quoz Sprint.
The Astrogist was beaten a head into second place by the Shadwell colourbearer Danyah (Invincible Spirit).
Ridden by Damian Lane for Leon and Troy Corstens, the Bennett Racing colourbearer was in the firing line the whole way.
The John Size-trained Slight Success was three-quarters of a length behind third-placed Al Suhail (Dubawi).
The New Zealand-bred Duke Wai was fifth.
The Dubai Turf was won for a third time by John and Thady Gosden’s extraordinary Lord North. With Frankie Dettori in the saddle, the 7yo Dubawi gelding halted the Japanese rampage by defeating Danon Beluga (Heart’s Cry) by three-quarters of a length.
