Racing in the Emirates is hotting up ahead of the World Cup meeting next month and Australian-bred Group I winner Whisky Baron is an acceptor for the Group II Zabeel Mile (1600m) on Thursday.
A five-year-old son of Manhattan Rain, Whisky Baron has had all but one of his 14 starts in South Africa for trainer Brett Crawford.
A $A50,000 Inglis Australian Easter Sale yearling from the Arrowfield draft, Whisky Baron has not raced since finishing unplaced in the Group II Joel Stakes over the straight mile at Newmarket last September.
Prior to that Whisky Baron had won five consecutive races in South Africa including the Group I Sun Met over 2000m at Kenilworth.
Whisky Baron is one of 10 declared runners for the US$250,000 Zabeel Mile which will be run on turf.