While three-year-olds Pierro and All Too Hard have decimated their middle distance rivals in Melbourne and Sydney this autumn, 2012 Cox Plate winner Ocean Park has been saved for a slightly bigger prize.
After a successful spring campaign which included four consecutive Group 1 wins, the four-year-old son of Thorn Park is again out to prove himself against the world’s best, competing for the US$5 million purse on offer in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free.
In what is the first leg of an auspicious world tour, Ocean Park will be met by a herd of internationally acclaimed gallopers including 2012 Breeders Cup winner Little Mike, Falmouth Stakes winner Gioffra and South African star Igugu in what is no doubt one of the toughest 1800m turf races in the world.
Ocean Park was invited to Dubai on the back of his powerful Cox Plate win last spring, where he reeled in now proven three-year olds Pierro and All Too Hard in a victory that truly confirmed his position as Australasia’s premier middle distance galloper.
Carrying eight kilos more than his three-year-old counterparts, Ocean Park’s victory finally gave him the industry-wide recognition his spring campaign deserved.
Yet it is all being put on the line again on racing’s biggest stage as Ocean Park looks to create history in becoming the first Kiwi-bred and trained galloper to win a Group 1 race at the World Cup meeting.
The New Zealand-bred colt will not be heading in to unchartered territory in Dubai with Trevor McKee paving the way in 2001 with fellow kiwi Sunline, who wilted late to finish a gallant third behind French globetrotter Jim and Tonic.
Her efforts where bettered in 2005 as Elvstroem trekked across to Dubai to take out the race for Australia before heading on an extended European campaign.
However the man leading Ocean Park’s expedition, trainer Gary Hennessy, is ignoring the lure of the European stage and has his eyes firmly set on Royal Ascot in June as his next target.
“I’ve spoken to Trevor McKee and he regrets not going on to Ascot,” Hennessy said during morning trackwork at Meydan.
“Dubai is a stepping stone for us and hopefully we can win and pick up our expenses on the way.”
Ocean Park comes in to the field as Australasia’s best middle distance horse and the second highest rated galloped in the field, and while he has lost a bit of weight over on the trip, Hennessy remains confident that his colt will bring his best on raceday.
“He has lightened up a little bit since the trip,” Hennessy said.
“Looking at him he looks great, but the scales say he has lost a little bit of weight. He’s eating up well and drinking well, so we look fine that way.”
It will be interesting to see just how the Cox Plate of 2012’s form line holds up on an international stage, with Ocean Park defeating both Pierro and All Too Hard decisively at weight-for-age conditions during the spring.
The beaten pair have resumed in Australia and remain undefeated since the Cox Plate, dominating the older horses and racing up the international ratings.
Ocean Park will not be the only horse of interest on show for Australians, with many an ex-pat venturing to Dubai in chase of the extraordinary riches on offer.
Ex-pat trainers Michael Freedman and Jeremy Gask saddle up Mr Big and Medicean Man respectively in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint, the former of which shall be piloted by Australian Zac Purton.
Joining them in the field will be former Australian Group 1 winner Starspangledbanner who is currently trying to resurrect his career for Aiden O’Brien after a failed stint at stud.
2012 Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic winner Mental has his second start for his new owners in the Dubai Gold Shaheen where he should run a warm favourite.
Caulfield and Melbourne Cup Winner Dunaden will be aiming to topple Gentildonna and St Nicholas Abbey in the Dubai Sheema Classic.
Red Cadeux, the horse Dunaden nosed out of Melbourne Cup winning glory in 2011, will also play a part at the meeting, contesting the US$10 million Dubai World Cup where he will be hoping to cause an upset victory.
While there is not an Australian trained runner present in the World Cup meeting, our racing presence will be heavily felt.
Racing down under is alive and well, and ready to be showcased on the world stage.
Have you ever tried your skills in a Racing daily fantasy competition? Put your best picks to the test for one day and see if you can scoop the pot with Draftstars. Looking for great odds on racing and sport? PlayUp is your best bet. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Without a Fight completed the rare Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double on Tuesday as star jockey Mark Zahra went back-to-back in the big one after…
The race that stops the nation is upon us again. Every horse in the Melbourne Cup has reasons they can win, and reasons they…
Those who want to have a really big collect on Australia’s greatest race, without risking too much, have to look at the exotic bets.
While most of the attention is on Ciaron Maher and David Eustace's Gold Trip, there's no reason why stablemate Future History cannot upstage him.
Champion jockey Damien Oliver is quietly confident his Melbourne Cup mount Alenquer will be passed fit to give him a farewell ride in the…
Melbourne Cup day is here again, and it’s never anything less than exciting. The Cup itself will of course be full of drama and…
