The 2012 Group 1 US$10million Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline, the world's most valuable horse race, looks wide open with the maximum field of 14 declared for the 2,000m all-weather feature. (Image from Breakfast with the Stars by Sam D'Agostino)

American trainer Bill Mott won the inaugural running with Cigar back in 1996 and looks to make history again when saddling Royal Delta, last year's Group 1 Breeders' Cup Ladies' Classic and seeking to become the first filly or mare to win this race.

Mott had first choice at Wednesday's draw and elected for stall seven meaning his filly is ideally berthed in the centre. Sold for US$8.5million after her Breeders' Cup win, she appears to hold decent claims to recoup a large chunk of that purchase price.

The second American challenger, Game On Dude, is to be ridden by Chantal Sutherland who becomes the first woman to ride in the race. Trainer Bob Baffert is seeking his third win in the race having already won with Silver Charm (1998) and Captain Steve (2001).

Runner-up in last year's Group 1 Breeders' Cup Classic, Game On Dude is an habitual front-runner so the widest stall of all (14) looks far from ideal and Sutherland will need to be at her very best if they are to win.

American challengers have won the race on eight previous occasions (Cigar 1996, Silver Charm 1998, Captain Steve 2001, Pleasantly Perfect 2004, Roses in May 2005, Invasor 2007, Curlin 2008, Well Armed 2009) whereas the Japanese opened their account last year when Transcend chased home compatriot Victoire Pisa and they have three runners this year. Transcend bids to go one better this year but arrives having been well beaten in his prep race, the Group 1 February Stakes, which he won last year.

Eishin Flash is a quality performer who found only the remarkable Orfevre too good on his most recent start in the Group 1 Arima Kinen (Grand Prix). That was on Christmas Day but he has looked in good form on the gallops this week and should run well.

Eishin Flash does not win as often as you would like though for one of his ability but that is not an accusation you could aim at their third runner, Smart Falcon, who has not been beaten since the autumn of 2010. He is seeking a tenth consecutive victory and is transferring his dirt form to the all-weather looks a major threat.

The international favourite is So You Think, now trained in Ireland by Aidan O'Brien, for whom he has won three Group 1 contests having previously won in Group 1 company on five occasions in Australia.

This will be his first race on the all-weather but he ran well for a long way when behind Game On Dude at the Breeders' Cup and the Meydan surface should suit him better than the dirt at Churchill Downs on that occasion.

Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor is the most successful trainer in the history of the race having saddled five winners (Almutawakel 1999, Dubai Millennium 2000, Street Cry 2002, Moon Ballad 2003 and Electrocutionist 2006). He has two hopes this year with Frankie Dettori riding Prince Bishop who was tenth in this race last year. He did win a Meydan handicap impressively in January but has since been fifth and third in Al Maktoum Challenges II (Group 2) and III (Group 1) respectively.

Round II was won by stable companion Mendip who will be ridden by Silvestre De Sousa on Saturday. All his best form has been on the all-weather but he was well beaten in Round III when he may have hurt himself before the race.

That third round of the Al Maktoum Challenge was won by Capponi, trained by fellow Godolphin handler Mahmoud Al Zarooni with Ahmed Ajtebi in the saddle as he is again. Arguably the most improved horse in the UAE throughout the Dubai World Cup Carnival, Capponi has been first past the post on his last three starts and appears to remain very much on an upward curve.

Al Zarooni has not saddled the winner of this race yet but has only saddled two runners previously, both of whom have finished third, including Monterosso last year.

On his first run since, he was fourth behind Capponi on Super Saturday when surely in need of the outing and he should run well again under Mickael Barzalona who has ridden him in all four of his UAE outings.

South African Mike de Kock has not won the race yet but has gone close with Asiatic Boy, Lizard's Desire and Victory Moon all being placed in the race.

This year he relies on Master Of Hounds who has been drawn in stall one. Runner-up in last year's Group 2 UAE Derby, sponsored by The Saeed and Mohammed Al Naboodah Group, when trained by Aidan O'Brien, he was placed on his first three 2012 starts for his new trainer before winning the Group 1 Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday. He would need a career best to repeat that victory here.

Marco Botti trains Planteur and connections were delighted when he received the final invitation to the race. A genuine Group 1 performer in Europe, he is having his first start for Botti and initial run on an all-weather surface. He rates a genuinely interesting contender for a talented young trainer.

Doug Watson may have saddled two runners in this race before but Silver Pond would have to be his best chance to date after an excellent local debut when beating all bar Capponi on Super Saturday.

That was his first start on the all-weather and first outing of the year and he is expected to have improved considerably for the run.

Trained in Germany, Zazou has a new owner on the eve on the race. The mount of Olivier Peslier, he won a Dubai World Cup trial at Chantilly to prove his liking for synthetic surfaces and looked in great shape, under Peslier, on the track at the Breakfast With The Stars event on Thursday.

Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic, presented by Longines Preview

Dubai, UAE, 30 March 2012 - Only 10 have been declared for the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic, presented by Longines over 2410m on the turf, but it is a select field of horses mostly proven at the highest level.

Aidan O'Brien would appear to have a very strong hand with both Treasure Beach, winner of last year's Group 1 Irish Derby having been denied in the dying strides in the English equivalent and multiple Group 1 winner St Nicholas Abbey.

The trainer's son, Joseph, rides the latter and the pair made history when landing last year's Group 1 Breeders' Cup Turf with the jockey becoming the youngest ever to ride a winner at America's flagship meeting.

Also doubly represented is South African Mike de Kock and Bold Silvano runs here having been re-routed from the Dubai World Cup race after two disappointing all-weather runs this year.

His turf form in their homeland was very good and he is one of the night's most interesting runners given the switch of surfaces. Always held in the highest regard, hopefully he can bounce back on turf.

He will be ridden by Christophe Soumillon with Kevin Shea on stable companion Mahbooba who will appreciate the step up to this trip having won twice over 1,800m at the Dubai World Cup Carnival, one of which was the Group 2 Balanchine.

With Soumillon retained to partner Bold Silvano, Olivier Peslier picks up the plum spare ride on French challenger Cirrus Des Aigles, winner of last year's Champion Stakes at Ascot when beating Dubai World Cup favourite So You Think.

Peslier's mount was also being aimed at the world's most valuable horse race but connections elected for this race after he was beaten by Zazou and Peslier in a trial race at Chantilly four weeks ago.

William Haggas saddles the unbeaten four-year-old Beaten Up who did not race as a juvenile but won all three starts last year working through maiden and conditions company to land the Group 3 St Simon Stakes at Newbury. This is obviously a big step up in class but the horse has done nothing wrong thus far.

Marco Botti trains Jakkalberry, a second runner for the UK and one who will be hoping for a good gallop as he was staying on well over 2,810m last time in the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy to finish third.

Godolphin have three runners with Frankie Dettori riding Cavalryman, one of two trained by Saeed bin Suroor. He was just in front of stable companion Songcraft (the pair dead heated for third in the Group 2 Dubai City of Gold) on Super Sarurday when Shimraan, trained by fellow Godolphin handler Mahmoud Al Zarooni, was well beaten.

Group 1 Dubai Duty Free, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free Preview

Dubai, UAE, 30 March 2012 - The US$5million Dubai Duty Free, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free is often the most competitive race on the card and the 1,800m turf feature has again attracted the maximum field of 16 and a case can be made for nearly all the runners.

The UK are very well represented and last year's winner Presvis will be saddled in this race for a fourth time by Luca Cumani. He is one of a host of challengers this year who will be hoping for a fast pace which, even with 16 runners, is not guaranteed.

Michael Bell relies on Wigmore Hall, an unlucky third last year when denied a clear run until Presvis and River Jetez had flown. The draw could have been a lot kinder to Bell's charge, as well as Dubawi Gold, also trained in the UK by Richard Hannon – they are in stalls 15 and 16 respectively.

Their fourth representative is the Roger Charlton-trained Cityscape, previously considered a soft ground performer but who showed in Hong Kong last December that he can not only handle fast ground but also international competition, when second in the Group 1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Mile.

Saeed bin Suroor saddles two for Godolphin and Frankie Dettori will partner Delegator in the all blue with Silvestre De Sousa on stable companion Rio De La Plata, a multiple Group 1 winner.

Dettori's mount is trying the longest trip he has tackled to date but has a fantastic turn of foot which, if he stays, could prove decisive.

Fellow Godolphin handler Mahmoud Al Zarooni relies on City Style who has shown steady progression throughout the 2012 Dubai World Cup Carnival. However, he was beaten over Saturday's course and distance in the Group 2 Al Rashidiya by Musir, one of two runners in the race for Mike De Kock.

The South African handler has won this race twice before (Ipi Tombe in 2003 and Right Approach who dead heated with Paolini in 2004) and Musir is a proven Group international performer having won in Turkey last year.

However, it looks significant that Christophe Soumillon rejects him to ride stable companion Mutahadee who is another horse who has improved throughout his 2012 Dubai campaign.

Hong Kong are also well represented and old rivals Ambitious Dragon, Xtension and California Memory are all genuine contenders in a wide open race. The trio have actually clashed on their last two starts and, on each occasion, the Tony Millard-trained Ambitious Dragon has come out on top.

John Moore trains Xtension, second both times ahead of California Memory, winner of last year's Group 1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup.

Ireland's Champion Trainer Aidan O'Brien saddles Await The Dawn who was a Group 2 winner at Royal Ascot last year and is very lightly-raced for a five-year-old.

It could be that 2012 will be his breakthrough year although this trip would appear very much his minimum stamina requirement.

Japan won this in 2007 with Admire Moon and their runner this year, Dark Shadow, certainly should not be underestimated, while Jay Peg landed the spoils the following year for Herman Brown.

This year he supplies a very interesting contender in Green Destiny who looked very progressive in England last year for previous trainer William Haggas. He failed to handle the all-weather on Super Saturday and will appreciate the return to turf.

This season’s UAE Champion Trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe has enjoyed an amazing season but Rajsaman is one of the few horses from the yard to have failed to fire. Connections will be hoping it is a case of 'third time lucky' after two poor efforts this year.

Should there be a late withdrawal, Albaasil, currently a reserve, would have a big each-way chance for Doug Watson and would be a final career ride for Richard Hills, retained jockey for the horse's owner His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Hills retires after the meeting.

Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, sponsored by Gulf News Preview

Dubai, UAE, 30 March 2012 - Singapore's remarkable sprinter Rocket Man bids to defend his crown in this 1,200m all-weather contest, having also finished second in the race in 2010.

Trained by Patrick Shaw, he certainly appears the one they all have to beat and it is hard to make a strong case for many of his 11 rivals who are, arguably, headed by the only three-year-old in the race, Sepoy.

Australian Peter Snowden will saddle Sepoy for the final time before he joins Godolphin and his jockey Kerrin McEvoy will be sporting the all blue of Godolphin on Saturday.

He arrives in the UAE on the back of a defeat in his native Australia but for the world's best three-year-old sprinter, that was only the second time he was beaten in 12 career starts and he already has four Group 1 victories to his name.

Frankie Dettori will ride Soul for Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor. Formerly a stable companion of Sepoy, he won well on his sole UAE start in a 1,000m turf handicap. That form has worked out well and it is interesting he runs here and not in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint, sponsored by Emirates NBD.

Dubai World Cup Carnival form is well represented with both Hitchens and Krypton Factor having Group 3 course and distance victories to their credit.

Trained in the UK by David Barron, Hitchens beat Krypton Factor in the Al Shindagha Sprint before the latter, owned and trained by Bahrain's Fawzi Nass, gained his revenge in the Mahab Al Shimaal on Super Saturday.

Iver Bridge Lad and Inxile also represent England but appear to face a stiff task, as do the locally-trained pair of Happy Dubai and Russian Rock.

The Americans use to win this race regularly on the Nad Al Sheba dirt and are seeking a tenth success in the race. Giant Ryan and The Factor are their two challengers but they would appear to have a bit to find against the likes of Rocket Man.

Lucky Nine, from Hong Kong, completes the field but his draw, in 12, makes his task very difficult but on form he has definite each-way claims.

Al Quoz Sprint, sponsored by Emirates NBD Preview

Dubai, UAE, 30 March 2012 - The shortest race of the night, the 1,000m Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint, sponsored by Emirates NBD is certainly one of the meeting's most difficult puzzles to solve with 16 runners set to hurtle down the straight Meydan turf track.

Joy And Fun won this for Hong Kong in 2010 and looks sure to go well again having missed the race last year through injury. In his absence 12 months ago, J J The Jet Plane landed the spoils from War Artist who will be having his second run for Mike de Kock on Saturday.

His first was a promising effort in the prep race on Super Saturday in which Invincible Ash (fourth in this last year) beat fellow Irish challengers Sole Power and Nocturnal Affair in a memorable 1-2-3 for the Emerald Isle.

Monsieur Joe was fourth in the same race for Robert Cowell and the UK-based trainer will be hoping he can reverse the form, while Prohibit, who disappointed in the trial, should run much better on this occasion.

Addictive Dream also represents the UK and Dandy Nicholls' charge won both his starts on the Meydan turf in the early weeks of the Dubai World Cup Carnival.

He will appreciate the return to turf having run on all-weather on Super Saturday and his presence guarantees a frantic gallop from the off.

Secret Asset and Group 1 winner Margot Did complete the English challenge but look to face a stiff task, especially the latter with stall 16 not looking ideal and having been well beaten in the prep when American raider Regally Ready, winner of last year's Group 2 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, was a bitter disappointment.

The race has a truly international flavour and Singapore's Better Be The One will have his supporters after an excellent third in this last year. Australian sprinters always merit consideration and connections of Ortensia sound very bullish regarding her chances after her Group 1 victory last year in the Burswood-Winterbottom Stakes. She looks sure to be staying on strongly as her best form is at 1,200m.

The same applies to August Rush, a Group 1 winner in his native South Africa and trained by Herman Brown. He ran well on Super Saturday making his local/all-weather debut when third in the Group 3 Mahab Al Shimaal and it looks significant connections have decided to revert to turf.

Eagle Regiment joins Joy And Fun in the Hong Hong contingent and A Shin Virgo represents Japan in an ultra competitive sprint where luck in running will be of paramount importance given the number of runners.

Group 2 UAE Derby, sponsored by The Saeed and Mohammed Al Naboodah Group

Dubai, UAE, 30 March 2012 - One of the most amazing Dubai World Cup meeting statistics looks in serious danger this year in the Group 2 UAE Derby, sponsored by The Saeed and Mohammed Al Naboodah Group; introduced in 2000, only two trainers have ever saddled the winner but Godolphin handler Saeed bin Suroor (seven wins – China Visit 2000, Express Tour 2001, Essence of Dubai 2002, Victory Moon 2003, Blues and Royals 2005, Discreet Cat 2006 and Regal Ransom 2009) is not represented this year leaving Mickdaam to seek a sixth win in the 1,900m all-weather contest for South African Mike De Kock.

Winner of the Al Bastakiya on Super Saturday over course and distance, De Kock's charge should have little to fear from those he beat on that occasion but he faces stiff new competition from overseas.

These are headed by Godolphin runner Helmet, having his final start for Australian Peter Snowden for whom he is a multiple Group 1 winner, including in last year's Caulfield Guineas.

Mahmoud Al Zarooni saddles the other two Godolphin runners, like Helmet already Classic winners (he won the Group 1 Australian Guineas). UAE 2000 Guineas winner Kinglet was put firmly in his place by Mickdaam on Super Saturday in the Listed Al Bastakiya, while UAE Oaks heroine Falls Of Lora will find this a lot tougher than her sole local start (though Bin Suroor's Khawlah did win both races last year).

Irish Champion Trainer Aidan O'Brien was narrowly denied in this last year when Master Of Hounds just failed and he has two major chances this year with Group 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner Wrote joined by Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes victor Daddy Long Legs.

British William Haggas trains Entifaadha who was just denied on his local debut in the Listed Meydan Classic on turf. He looks set to be a final career ride for the retiring Richard Hills.

Haggas' charge was narrowly denied by fellow UK raider Burano, trained by Brian Meehan and Red Duke is a fascinating third runner for England. He is trained by John Quinn and should be competitive in what appears an open race.

Lucky Chappy will surely be the smallest runner in the race but his lack of size should not deflect from his undoubted ability, while Japanese challenger Genten has been pleasing connection since arriving in Dubai.

Maritimer has his first start for South African Herman Brown and France are doubly represented with the unbeaten Balada Sale, having his first outing for Pascal Bary joined by Yang Tse Kiang who won a trial race at Chantilly just over three weeks ago.

Group 2 Godolphin Mile, sponsored by Etisalat

Dubai, UAE, 30 March 2012 - The Godolphin Mile (previously called the Nad Al Sheba Mile) was first run in 1996 and Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor is seeking a ninth winner in the 1,600m all-weather feature.

His main hope this year looks to be African Story who won the Super Saturday prep, the Group 3 Burj Nahaar, in good style and he could be Godolphin's best chance on the card.

Frankie Dettori maintains the partnership and they look certain to be hard to beat with stable companions Do It All (Silvestre De Sousa) and Sandagiyr arguably heading the opposition.

The last named, the mount of Mickael Barzalona, won the Group 3 Firebreak Stakes, under De Sousa, over the same 1,600m all-weather course and distance when African Story endured a torrid passage before staying on strongly in third.

Bin Suroor and Dettori combined with Skysurfers to win this race last year when UK challenger Red Jazz who is back to seek compensation after a good third last year. Jeremy Noseda trains Western Aristocrat to supply the English trainers a strong two-pronged challenge.

UAE Champion Trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe saddled Mufarrh to finish second last year and has three hopefuls this year with Derbaas perhaps looking to hold more obvious claims than the badly drawn Haatheq and filly First City.

Richard Hills, retained jockey for His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has chosen to ride Derbaas with second jockey Tadhg O'Shea electing to partner Haatheq. That leaves Wayne Smith to ride Snaafy, trained by his main employer Musabah Al Muhairi, for the same owner whose Barbecue Eddie is, sadly, a non-runner.

Satish Seemar trains Richard's Kid who drops in class having contested the last two Dubai World Cups but this trip would appear on the short side for him.

Shamalgan has not really fired in his two runs at the Dubai World Cup Carnival but hopefully will be spot on for Saturday's challenge, while the other two runners both represent South Africa.

Herman Brown will saddle Dux Scholar but Viscount Nelson, trained by compatriot Mike De Kock, looks a stronger hope for a trainer who won this race in 2005 with Grand Emporium.

Group 3 Dubai Gold Cup, sponsored by Al Tayer Motors

Dubai, UAE, 30 March 2012 - The latest addition to the card, the Group 3 Dubai Gold Cup is over 3,210m on turf and has attracted a field of 13, headed by Godolphin duo Fox Hunt and Opinion Poll who are both trained by Mahmoud Al Zarooni.

Frankie Dettori rides Opinion Poll on this occasion, having beaten him on Fox Hunt when they clashed in the prep race over 2,800m in the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy, which was a second course and distance victory at the Dubai World Cup Carnival for Fox Hunt who will be ridden by Silvestre De Sousa.

It would be no surprise to see the pair dominate and Grand Vent, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, also represents Godolphin.

South African trainers Herman Brown and Mike De Kock both saddle two with Brown's Mikhail Glinka the only one of the quartet proven at the trip. A winner over 2,400m on Super Saturday in the Group 2 Dubai City of Gold, he could prove the main threat to the Al Zarooni duo but stable companion Bronze Cannon would appear to face a stiff task.

Irish Flame has never reproduced his best form at Meydan but at least threatens to stay this far, while stable companion Zanzamar has seemingly improved switched to turf. He could have run in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic, presented by Longines so connections clearly feel he will stay.

One horse guaranteed to stay is French challenger Kasbah Bliss and, if it develops into a war of attritions, he would be a big danger but that looks unlikely.

Joshua Tree and Barbican both represent the UK with the former, trained by Marco Botti, needing to bounce back to his best stepped up markedly in trip. Barbican is interesting as he should stay and is a first UAE runner for the ultra-shrewd Alan Bailey.

Australia's Unusual Suspect has shown little in three UAE outings and Japan's Makani Bisty appears to have something to find to trouble the best of these.

Averroes, trained near Abu Dhabi by Ernst Oertel, has twice been well beaten by Fox Hunt and would be a surprise winner.