Kabirkhan carries Kazakh hopes in 2024 Dubai World Cup

Having picked up two wins from two runs at Meydan, Kabirkhan has raised hopes he can deliver what would be a first success for Kazakhstan in the Dubai World Cup.

All in all, he has won 10 times and finished second on his other start. Success in the $12-million Group 1 race would make him a superstar as well as providing a first success in the showpiece for Doug Watson, the long-serving American trainer based in Dubai.

Kabirkhan faces his biggest challenge at Meydan on Saturday when he comes up against a highly competitive 12-runner field that also includes the defending champion Ushba Tesoro, the $20-million Saudi Cup winner Senor Buscador, Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap hero Newgate and the Breeders’ Cup Classic runner-up and last year’s UAE Derby winner Derma Sotogake.

Kabirkhan, the four-year-old chestnut son of 2016 Dubai World Cup winner California Chrome has continued to impress the racing fraternity.

He won on his first two starts at Meydan, even though Watson remains realistic when he says the horse must step up in class. He does think, however, he can follow his victories over the track and trip on January 12, followed by his Group 1 success in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 just two weeks later.

Kabirkhan and Hero Mo – the only horse to deny Kabirkhan victory with a win at the Russian Derby – moved to Watson’s Red Stables last year.

Kabirkhan avenged his defeat to Hero Mo when he reversed that result by four lengths on his Meydan debut and comes into the Dubai World Cup spotlight following his win in the Al Maktoum Challenge.

“He’s got to step up his game and we think he can,” Watson, the seven-time UAE champion trainer, said of Kabirkhan at Meydan on Tuesday.

“I think what he's shown out there is that he likes