The $6 million Dubai World Cup (G1), the world's richest horse race, celebrates its twelfth renewal on Saturday. On Wednesday afternoon the post positions were drawn, with a compact field of just seven making final entry. They will travel 2000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) on the main dirt track at Dubai's Nad al Sheba Racecourse, and the winner joins an elite group of world-beaters including inaugural winner Cigar, Singspiel, Dubai Millennium, and the late Electrocutionist, winner of last year's edition. The post positions for the undercard were drawn on Tuesday.
The omens are looking good for Discreet Cat after he drew the rail at this evening's post-position draw for the US$6 million Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates Airline. The unbeaten Godolphin hope drew the same stall as last year's winner Electrocutionist, and his trainer Saeed bin Suroor said, "I am not at all worried about the inside draw, we were there last year and it's a smaller field. He has tactical speed and I will be looking for him to take a position and settle into the race."
His great rival Invasor drew the far outside post 7 and his trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said, "It's a good position for us, it's outside and hopefully out of trouble. We're happy there are only seven in there. We would have liked to have had more in there to have a faster pace, but then we've only got six to beat." Asked if he expected to win, he said: "Yes, I do."
Japanese challenger Vermilion drew the 2 hole and his trainer Sei Ishizaka said: "It's better than being drawn one and it's better than being drawn seven."
Hong Kong is represented by the ultra-tough Bullish Luck, who breaks from post 3. His trainer Tony Cruz said, "The draw is not a problem, and he's in really great form. Invasor and Discreet Cat are going to be the two to beat and we'll be delighted if we finish right behind them."
The other American-trained hope Premium Tap drew post 5 for trainer John Kimmel, who had just arrived in Dubai. Kimmel said, "I am pleased with the position and it's going to be a rider's race. Depending on what the pace of the race is, the horse that is in the best place at the right time will win. That's what it's all about, and that's the best thing about Premium Tap, he can make multiple moves."
Forty Licks, who drew the 6 hole, has been labelled the forgotten horse of the Dubai World Cup, but his trainer Ian Jory believes he could be battling it out with Invasor at the finish.. "I would have preferred a middle draw but we've got Invasor outside us, and it could be between us, with hopefully ours in front."
British hope Kandidate's connections were happy enough with their draw from post 4. Jockey Seb Sanders said: "He's good out of the gate, and I hope he'll be up there."
Since betting is illegal in the UAE, the international wagering hub is located in South Africa and their rules apply. North American wagers will be initially handled by Churchill Downs Simulcast Network and then commingled with the world pool in South Africa. Win, exacta, and trifecta wagering are the same as the U.S. versions, however, there is no show pool but place bets pay to third place. The races will be shown live in North America on HRTV in the U.S. and HPI-TV in Canada, and will be shown on tape delay on ABC in a 2 hour telecast starting at 2:30PM ET.
Below are the entries for the Dubai World Cup with post positions and North American morning line odds. Free past performances are available for all the races that will be simulcast in the US from Equibase and Daily Racing Form.
| Post | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | M/L Odds |
| 1 | Discreet Cat (USA) | Saeed bin Suroor | Frankie Dettori | 8-5 |
| 2 | Vermilion (JPN) | Sei Ishizaka | Christophe Lemaire | 20-1 |
| 3 | Bullish Luck (USA) | Tony Cruz | Brett Prebble | 10-1 |
| 4 | Kandidate (GB) | Clive Brittain | Seb Sanders | 15-1 |
| 5 | Premium Tap (USA) | John Kimmel | Kent Desormeaux | 9-2 |
| 6 | Forty Licks (ARG) | Ian Jory | Mick Kinane | 15-1 |
| 7 | Invasor (ARG) | Kiaran McLaughlin | Fernando Jara | 6-5 |
