Australia is well represented at the nomination stage for the world’s richest race meeting in Dubai.
Eighteen horses, including nine Group One winners, have been entered across four Group One races and one at Group Two level.
The biggest entry is 11 for the Al Quoz Sprint over the straight 1200m which has twice been won by Australian horses – Ortensia in 2012 and Buffering in 2016.
Group One winners entered for the race include Brave Smash, Santa Ana Lane, Viddora and Voodoo Lad while Illustrious Lad, who finished fifth to Jungle Cat last year, has again been nominated.
There are five Group One winners of the seven nominated for the Dubai Turf over 1800m with the Darren Weir-trained Land Of Plenty entered for both the Dubai Turf and the Al Quoz Sprint.
Faatinah, a two-time winner in Dubai for Lindsay Park including victory at Meydan earlier this month, has been entered for both the Dubai Golden Shaheen, over 1200m on dirt, and the Al Quoz Sprint, while the Chris Waller-trained Libran is also a dual nomination for the Dubai Sheema Classic (2400m) and the Group Two Dubai Gold Cup (3200m).
Prize money of $49 million will be on offer for six Group One races and three Group Two races programmed at Meydan on March 30.
Australian entries:
*Dubai Sheema Classic (2400m) Group One
Libran (Chris Waller)
*Dubai Turf (1800m) Group One
Aloisia (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace)
Comin’ Through (Chris Waller)
Eshtiraak (David & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig)
Land Of Plenty (Darren Weir)
Muraaqeb (David & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig)
Oohood (Tony McEvoy)
Shillelagh (Chris Waller)
* Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200m – dirt) Group One
Faatinah (David & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig)
* Al Quoz Sprint (1200m – turf) Group One
Brave Smash (Darren Weir)
Faatinah (David & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig)
Illustrious Lad (Peter Gelagotis)
Land Of Plenty (Darren Weir)
Lean Mean Machine (Chris Waller)
Osborne Bulls (James Cummings)
Performer (Chris Waller)
Santa Ana Lane (Anthony Freedman)
Strathmore (Chris Waller)
Viddora (Lloyd Kennewell)
Voodoo Lad (Darren Weir)
* Dubai Gold Cup (3200m) Group Two
Libran (Chris Waller)