The matchup between Tuz and Straight No Chaser in the Dubai Golden Shaheen promises to be unmissable

In the races that will feature the most important events on Dubai World Cup night, the dirt sprint is set to be a thrilling contest

Tuz aims for a double in the Dubai Golden Shaheen / DRC

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special for Turf Diario) – The night of the Dubai World Cup (G1) on April 5 at Meydan promises several high-level spectacles. One of them is set for the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1-1200m, dirt, US$ 2,000,000 purse), where the local star Tuz (Oxbow) will face Straight No Chaser (Speighster), the top sprinter at the moment in the United States.

The showdown between the veteran, trained by Bhupat Seemar, and the recent winner of the Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G3) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will be one to watch. Tuz aims to become the third horse in history to win back-to-back titles, a feat previously achieved by Caller One (Phone Trick) and Mind Your Biscuits (Posse) in 2001-2002 and 2017-2018, respectively.

Of course, they won’t be alone, as the list of likely participants also includes Japanese contenders Remake (Lani) and American Stage (Into Mischief), along with U.S. representative Nakatomi (Firing Line).

The Al Quoz Sprint (G1-1200m, turf, US$ 1,500,000) has 14 nominations and appears to be evenly matched, as in nearly all its editions. Marbaan (Oasis Dream) has had an outstanding season but will be shortening his distance and moving to a straight run.

John and Thady Gosden have entered Audience (Iffraaj), winner of the Lockinge Stakes (G1) at Newbury last season, and from the United States comes South African Isivunguvngu (What a Winter), a two-time G1 titleholder trained by H. Graham Motion.

Regarding the UAE Derby (G2-1800m, dirt, US$ 1,000,000), for 3-year-olds, there are currently only 11 possible participants – with no South Americans involved. Among them is Flood Zone (Frosted), who recently made headlines by winning the Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct.

Among the locally-based horses, Heart of Honor (Honor A.P.) and filly Queen Azteca (Sharp Azteca) stand out, while Japan is sending four entries, including Shin Forever (Complexity), who finished just behind Golden Vekoma (Vekoma) in the final stages of the Saudi Derby (G3) in Saudi Arabia. Golden Vekoma, however, will be notably absent from the Dubai Derby.