Forever Young will break from post position 5 in Saturday's Dubai World Cup (G1)

The Japanese horse will have an ideal draw; from post 1, Walk of Stars will look to set the pace

Yoshito Yahagi was fortunate in the draw for post positions / DRC

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Special Report) – Forever Young, winner of the Saudi Cup (G1), will break from post 5 in the Dubai World Cup (G1-2000m, dirt, US$12,000,000) this Saturday at Meydan, sponsored by Emirates Airline.

Trainer Yoshito Yahagi expressed his calm about the post position: "We had thought in advance that the more outside, the better. I didn’t want posts 1 or 2 for him, so this is fine. Anyway, it’s not a big problem."

Defending champion Ushba Tesoro (Orfevre) will start from post 4, having won last year’s edition from post 8. His stablemate Wilson Tesoro (Kitasan Black) will break from post 3, hoping to reverse the result of the Saudi Cup, where he finished behind Forever Young and Ushba Tesoro.

Trainer Noboru Takagi was satisfied with Wilson Tesoro’s position: “I’m happy to avoid a very wide post,” while about Ushba Tesoro, a horse known for his strong finish, he said, “He’ll run his own race, no matter the post position.”

For the sprinters, the draw was key. Walk of Stars (Dubawi), aiming to repeat his victory in the Al Maktoum Challenge from January, has an ideal post at 1, where he will attempt to take the lead.

Trainer Bhupat Seemar celebrated the draw: “It’s a great post, we expect him to go all out, just like Forever Young.”

His stablemate Imperial Emperor (Dubawi), second in that race, will start from post 10, a challenging position. However, Ryan Tongue, representative of the owners Deva Racing, wasn’t concerned: “When it was down to posts 2 and 10, I obviously expected 2, but he’s a very simple horse. Last time, he started from 14 and did very well, so I’m not worried.”

Ramjet (Majestic Warrior), who has finished behind Forever Young in his last three races, will start from post 9. Trainer Shozo Sasaki didn’t see any issues with the position: “We’re not going to go to the front, and with only 11 horses in the race, it really doesn’t matter.”

Rattle N Roll (Connect), hoping to become the first U.S. winner of the race since Country Grammer (Tonalist) in 2022, will break from post 2.

Trainer Kenny McPeek noted: “It’s a good post. There’s a long stretch to the first turn, so he’ll have time to settle and save ground.”

Meanwhile, Il Miracolo (Gun Runner) will start from post 6, a position that pleased his trainer, Antonio Sano of Venezuela: “I preferred a middle post, not too inside or too outside.” His owner, Eduardo Soto, added: “He’s a born competitor, and there’s no better place to be.”

Trainer Doug O'Neill’s team was also happy with Katonah (Klimt) breaking from post 11, calling it “the perfect post,” while his other horse, Mixto (Good Magic), will start from post 8, a slightly less ideal position, according to assistant Leandro Mora, who had hoped for posts 4 or 5.

Finally, Hit Show (Candy Ride) will start from post 7.

Romantic Warrior, Well Positioned

Hong Kong superstar Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) will seek his 11th G1 victory in the Dubai Turf, sponsored by DP World, from post 9. In January, when he convincingly won the Jebel Hatta (G1), he started from post 1.

Jockey James McDonald was optimistic: "I hope the 9 is my lucky number on Saturday. My other horse, Howdeepisyourlove (Deep Field), will also start from 9 in the Al Quoz Sprint (G1). I prefer the 9 over the 1, he’ll be able to run at his own pace from there."

Meanwhile, defending champion Rebel’s Romance (Dubawi) will start from post 4 in the Longines Dubai Sheema Classic (G1). In 2023, he won from post 11, so his team is confident that he can become the first two-time winner in the history of the race.