Meydan truly a global crossroads as Musselburgh keeps home fires burning

How many race meetings can attract Aidan O'Brien and Bob Baffert, Sir Michael Stoute and Andre Fabre, Ryan Moore, Frankie Dettori and Yutaka Take?

Dubai World Cup night may owe plenty of pulling power to its eye-watering prize fund but money alone is not enough to get the most serious figures in world racing to turn up, and with many of their best horses.

Like its twin bookend towards the other end of the international Flat year, the Breeders' Cup, Meydan operates on a dual economy of turf and dirt.

Yet unlike the Breeders' Cup Classic, which, save for the occasional Ballydoyle or Godolphin interloper, remains a steadfastly domestic dust-up for America's best, the World Cup on dirt has far more global appeal.

Sure, the US superstars have rolled back into town since the Tapeta was ripped up, with sensational performances from California Chrome and Arrogate in the last two editions doing much to promote the event.

But, with all due respect to West Coast and Forever Unbridled, if there was ever a year for a European horse to make a breakthrough, this could be it.

Breeders' Cup Turf winner Talismanic trains on the main track at Meydan ahead of his first attempt on dirtCredit: Edward Whitaker

And could Andre Fabre have unearthed the right candidate in photographers' favourite Talismanic, he of the flashy white face and matching socks?

Perhaps more exciting still in the quest to bring US racing and the rest of the world closer together, the UAE Derby (2.30) features Coolmore's Mendelssohn and Godolphin's Gold Town, both in possession of towering reputations and owners who have a burning ambition to win the Kentucky Derby.

Turf treasures

To European eyes at least, it is in the races run on turf that the star names are littered across the card.

You want Big Orange and Frankie Dettori going head to head with Vazirabad and Christophe Soumillon for the stayers' crown? Look no further than the Dubai Gold Cup (1.50).

Emily Crossman and Librisa Breeze chill out while trainer Dean Ivory has been rubbing shoulders with Bob BaffertCredit: Edward Whitaker

Dean Ivory found himself on the same press conference line-up as Bob Baffert on Wednesday, which would be an unlikely double act anywhere else in the world.

But Ivory's Librisa Breeze is every bit as worthy a contender for the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint (3.05) as Baffert's West Coast in the World Cup.

Can anyone stop Japan in the Turf and the Sheema Classic?

The Dubai Turf (4.35) has become a benefit for Japanese trainers in recent years and success clearly breeds confidence, as the country boasts five chances this year, notionally headed by the two most recent winners of the race, Real Steel and Vivlos.

But while Ribchester was beaten in this race 12 months ago, the European and Godolphin challenge is not to be underestimated.

Benbatl has impressed during the Dubai winter, while Lancaster Bomber and Ryan Moore are now given the chance to lead the O'Brien strike team rather than play wingman to the retired Churchill.

You had to be up early to catch Dubai Sheema Classic contender Rey De Oro working at Meydan this weekCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Sheema Classic (5.10) has attracted two horses who bore first-hand witness to the power of Europe's best last autumn, namely Cloth Of Stars, dauphin to Arc queen Enable, and Poet's Word, who chased home Cracksman in the Qipco Champion Stakes.

There are no finer conditioners than Fabre and Stoute for such a mission, while Idaho showed glimpses at Ascot and Tokyo last year that he could be a ready-made replacement for his brother, Highland Reel.

But Japan's real power lies at a mile and a half and the vibes around last season's Derby winner, Rey De Oro, have been growing stronger all week.

Satono Crown is trained by a genius in Noriyuki Hori, while Mozu Katchan ran an eyecatching trial alongside Rey De Oro and bids to join Dar Re Mi and Gentildonna as winning mares in this race.

Musselburgh deserves turn in the limelight

There is no little irony that Musselburgh hosts the main ITV4 meeting even as its future governance hangs in the balance.

The course has a justifiably high reputation, both for providing excellent prize-money and, at a time when the notion of spring weather seems a stretch, a decent racing surface.

Built from the ground up in recent years by the current executive, Saturday's meeting is a real gem and gives the lie to the idea that there is no decent turf action on the Flat between the Lincoln and the Craven meeting.

Peter Niven with stable star Clever CookieCredit: Louise Pollard

The £100,000 Queen's Cup is a staying handicap to grace any midsummer Saturday and features Peter Niven's ten-year-old stalwart Clever Cookie, who would poll quite close behind Big Orange as the nation's most popular stayer.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Mark Johnston-trained Time To Study could be running in Cup races for years to come if he develops in the way connections hope.

The supporting card is also of a decent quality and, if you'll pardon the hijacking of Robert Burns, when terrestrial television comes calling, "Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware."

Follow all the news on Saturday for our special Dubai World Cup Blog, hosted by Jon Lees