Japanese star Falcon confirmed for World Cup

Japan: Six-time Grade 1 winner Smart Falcon has been given the go-ahead to lead this year's Japanese assault on the Dubai World Cup meeting where Victoire Pisa led home a memorable one-two for the nation in the world's richest race.

Smart Falcon, who will be ridden by Yutaka Take, is 6-1 second favourite behind So You Think in ante-post lists with British bookmakers.

The seven-year-old is back in fast work after a short break following his ninth successive graded-stakes victory in the Kawasaki Kinen on January 25.

Trainer Ken Kosaki is well pleased with his progress. "He is well-set because he had a good seasoning over the winter - I just hope I can get him to Dubai in this sort of shape."

Kosaki has also accepted an invitation on behalf of A Shin Virgo to run in the Al Quoz Sprint but first he has to show he merits a trip to Meydan with a good performance next weekend against the likes of champion sprinter Curren Chan in the Grade 3 Ocean Stakes at Nakayama.

Last year's Dubai World Cup runner-up Transcend will leave for a return visit on March 14, despite a disappointing show last weekend when he failed to defend his crown in the February Stakes.

Testa Matta, who won that Grade 1 event, is not being considered for Dubai and will stick to domestic dirt races.

Trainer Yasutoshi Ikee is planning to run both dual Grade 2 winner Trailblazer and To The Glory in the Sheema Classic, while Tenno Sho Autumn runner-up Dark Shadow is set for the Duty Free.