Red Desire (near, red silks): was ridden by Olivier Peslier last time out
PICTURE: Dubai Racing Club/Andrew WatkinsSoumillon to ride World Cup fancy RedDesire
UAE: Christophe Soumillon has been booked to ride Japanese contender Red Desire, as short as 8-1 for the inaugural Dubai World Cup at Meydan on Saturday week.
The Belgian replaces Olivier Peslier, who partnered the four-year-old filly to a stunning last-gasp success in the third round of the Maktoum Challenge on Super Thursday.
Peslier is committed to French-trained favourite Vision D'Etat in the $10-million feature.
Soumillon has enjoyed a lucrative association with trainer Mike de Kock at the Dubai Carnival but the South African released the rider when it looked as if he would not be represented in the 1m2f event.
Kevin Shea: pick of the rides
PICTURE: Mark CranhamIronically, however, dual carnival winners Mr Brock and Lizard's Desire have both been invited to the World Cup and are set to take their chance.
"Christophe had the opportunity and I was not going to stand in his way as we did not whether we would have a runner," said De Kock. "Kevin (Shea) will have the choice of our pair."
Although Shea regularly partners Mr Brock, he faces a tough choice as his stable companion looked unlucky in running when finishing behind inthe Maktoum Challenge.
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