This weekend’s Dubai World Cup meeting provides another opportunity for Australian-bred thoroughbreds to add to their formidable international racing reputation with representatives in four races on the prestigious programme.

Eleven Australian-bred runners will aim to emulate the success of Elvstroem and Sun Classique at Group 1 level in Dubai several years ago.

Elvstroem (Danehill-Circles of Gold by Marscay) franked his outstanding Australian form by winning the 2005 G1 Dubai Duty Free (1777m).  And in 2008 Sun Classique (Fuji Kiseki-Elfenjer by Last Tycoon) underlined the versatility of Australian-bred horses in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic.

“This is one of the great meetings of the world and to have 11 runners is a fantastic achievement for Australian breeders,” Aushorse Chairman Antony Thompson said.  “We also have representation across a range of distances, which further emphasises both the depth and versatility of the Australian Thoroughbred.”

The G2 $US2M UAE Derby (1900m) provides Australian-bred runners with an opportunity to show their middle-distance prowess, with three horses set to compete.

MUSIR (Redoute’s Choice-Dizzy De Lago by Encosta De Lago) was South Africa’s best two-year old last year.  The Mike De Kock trained colt has carried that form into his two Dubai runs, highlighted by a dominant last start win in the G3 UAE Guineas (1600m).

He will be joined in the UAE Derby by SOLID CHOICE (Redoute’s Choice-Venetian Pride by Gone West) and RAIHANA (Elusive Quality-Esubooh by Sunday Silence), a last start winner of the Listed UAE Oaks (1900m).

LE DRAKKAR (Anabaa-Mo Mo Rally by MiPreferido) was also a G1 winner in South Africa last year and he will run in the G2 $US1M Godolphin Mile (1600m).

In the G1 $US2M Golden Shaheen (1200m), to be run on the all-weather track, three horses with origins in Australia will compete.

ROCKET MAN (Viscount-Macrosa, by McGinty) has returned from his injury enforced layoff in superb fashion and is the early $3.50 favourite for the event.  This will be his first run outside of Singapore, where he is a local hero having won eight of his nine starts.

EAGLE FALLS (Hussonet-Desina by Desert King) and ONE WORLD (Danehill Dancer-River Serenade by Hurricane Sky) provide Australia with three runners in the event.

Eagle Falls is coming off an excellent last start second in the G1 Newmarket Handicap, while One World has consistently mixed it with Hong Kong’s best sprinters this season, including a second to Sacred Kingdom in the G1 HK International Sprint in December.

A new race on the program is the $US1M G3 Al Quoz Sprint (1200m), which includes four Australian-bred horses.

ALL SILENT (Belong To Me-Lisheenowen by Semipalatinsk) performed well without luck in Hong Kong last year and trainer Grahame Begg has elected to give him another chance on the International stage.

OUR GIANT (Giant’s Causeway-Macrosa by McGinty) has proven himself one of South Africa’s most versatile gallopers, with the highlight coming last July with a runaway win in the G1 Mercury Sprint.

WAR ARTIST (Orpen-Royal Solitaire by Brocco) has been a wonderful ambassador for Australian horses in a number of countries, while FRAVASHI (Falbrav-Angelic Smile by Dehere) runs for Godolphin after being a multiple Group winner in Australia as a two and three-year-old.

Sky Racing will telecast all the action from the Dubai World Cup meeting on Saturday night. Sky will broadcast Race 2 onwards from 12:20pm.