The Dubai World Cup Night at Meydan Racecourse is one of the most important racecards of the year on the international calendar in the sport. The meeting this year attracted some of the best thoroughbreds in the USA, but they were overshaded by a Japanese duo.
Ushba Tesoro won the main event of the evening, the Dubai World Cup, while earlier on the card, Equinox produced arguably the most visually impressive performance of the year so far in the Dubai Sheema Classic.
Meydan Stars Enter Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Contention
Both of the Meydan winners have now entered the picture for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the premier open-age turf race in Europe. Equinox is the +600 favorite in the betting on horse racing markets for the contest at Longchamp in France.
Ushba Tesoro is much bigger in the futures market at +1600, as he will be switching surfaces in Paris. His Dubai World Cup success came on dirt, while the Arc takes place on turf over a longer distance of 1m4f.
The Japanese stars will be facing the leading middle-distance runners from Europe in October. No Japanese-trained horse has won the Arc before, so success for either horse would be a huge achievement for their country.
Ushba Tesoro Stayed on Better Than Rivals in Dubai Feature
Under the hands of jockey Yuga Kawada, one of the highest international-ranked jockeys, Ushba Tesoro was in last place in the Dubai World Cup heading into the final bend of the race. However, it was a ferocious early pace, his rider said he was confident of picking up the leaders in the home straight, including Algiers who was clear of the field until the final furlong.
Ushba Tesoro’s winning moment 🤩 pic.twitter.com/7kNslD2sSm
— Racing Post (@RacingPost) March 25, 2023
The six-year-old has now won his last four races on the track. He prevailed in back-to-back Listed contests at Ohi and Kawasaki respectively, before making the trip to the UAE. It was just his fifth appearance on an all-weather surface, and he showed his liking for it once again.
As well as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the Breeders’ Cup Meeting at Santa Anita in November is likely to be an option for Ushba Tesoro. Like the Arc, no Japanese-based horse has been able to win that race so far. Their only success at the meeting came in 2021 in other races across the two-day event.
Equinox Could Be a Real Star
Although it did not come in the feature race on Dubai World Cup Night, Equinox produced a sensational performance Dubai Sheema Classic which puts him right at the top end of the world rankings in the sport.
Equinox is a superstar! 🇯🇵#イクイノックス | #DWC23 | #競馬 pic.twitter.com/wZa2ZdmkdW
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 25, 2023
Equinox has now won three consecutive Grade One races. He prevailed in the Tenno Sho at Tokyo last October. He then scored in a strong field in the Arima Kinen at Nakayama a couple of months later.
The son of Kitasan Black was making his first appearance outside of Japan when he lined up in the prestigious race at Meydan against many of the leading middle-distance turf horses in Europe. He handled the traveling well, and he showed his class as none of his rivals could get anywhere near him in the home straight.
With a lot of major international races left in 2023, the year could get even better for Ushba Tesoro and Equinox before it comes to an end.
