California Chrome is set to face stiff competition from fellow US-trained hopefuls as he bids to go one better than last year in March's Dubai World Cup at Meydan.
The 2014 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes winner is one of 21 American nominations for the US$10m feature, with American Pharoah's Travers Stakes conqueror Keen Ice among them.
California Chrome's trainer Art Sherman is keen to give his stable star a prep run in a Meydan handicap prior to his shot at the big race, for which nominations were free to make.
"I want to run him in the handicap and not on Super Saturday because it gives us another week before the World Cup." assistant trainer Alan Sherman told The National.
"The World Cup will be his third race after a long layoff and I just think it suits our schedule better."
Dortmund, winner of last year's Santa Anita Derby also features for the US and is the highest-rated nominee alongside the Dermot Weld-trained Fascinating Rock.
The QIPCO Champion Stakes winner is the sole Irish nominee for the race, while UK trainers are represented by eight potential runners, including the Marco Botti-trained Euro Charline and Jeremy Noseda's Sloane Avenue.
Maurice set for Dubai Turf
Newly-crowned Japanese Horse Of The Year Maurice has been nominated for the World Cup but his target appears to be the US$6m Dubai Turf.
The Hong Kong Mile winner looks set to have to contend with last year's winner Solow should he follow that route, while his stablemate Duramente also holds a nomination.
Last year's runner-up The Grey Gatsby could also bid to go one better in the race for trainer Kevin Ryan.
Postponed to Sheema Classic
Arguably the pick of the British contenders on Dubai World Cup night will be the now Roger Varian-trained Postponed, who is set to contest the US$6m Dubai Sheema Classic.
The King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner could line up alongside the David Simcock-trained Balios, while Marco Botti has also nominated his Group 1-winning Italian recruit Dylan Mouth.
Sole Power back for more
The evergreen Sole Power may return to Meydan for his sixth Dubai World Cup day appearance, having been nominated to retain his Al Quoz Sprint crown.
Stiff competition is likely to come from fellow veteran and multiple Group 1 winner Buffering, trained in Queensland by Robert Heathcote.
