James McDonald ditched the first day of The Championships at Randwick on Saturday in favour of partnering Hong Kong superstar and Cox Plate hero Romantic Warrior (IRE) in the Group I Dubai World Cup Turf (1m1f) at Meydan overnight and again the formidable partnership had to bow to the Japanese.
Just as happened in the Saudi Cup last month, Romantic Warrior kicked away and looked set to win before being run down late by a Japanese raider and this time it was Soul Rush, who beat him by a nose.
The Champion Miler in Japan in 2024, Soul Rush has the impressive record of nine wins and seven placings from 25 starts.
The showpiece race on the card, the Dubai World Cup (1m2f) on dirt saw Saudi Cup winner Forever Young start favourite, but he too was beaten finishing third to the US entry Hit Show, a rank outside rat 66-1.
A multiple Group winner going into the race, the son of Candy Ride claimed a first G1 win for the Brad Cox stable.
Other feature winners at Meydan below with all images by Grant Courtney.
