Regardless of how the US$21 million of prize money is ultimately divided up in Dubai tonight, it will be an historic and perhaps emotional meeting as the last World Cup night at the Nad Al Sheba racetrack.
The Dubai World Cup - the world's richest race with prize money of US$6 million - is the brainchild of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai.
Nad Al Sheba is making way for the US$1.25 billion Meydan racecourse, being built adjacent to the state-of-the art Meydan City complex in time to stage the 2010 World Cup.
Today's big-race field of 14 is headed by US raider Albertus Maximus, the 2-1 favourite in London betting.
Though the five-year-old may not be in the league of Cigar, the horse is well drawn at 10, has solid form and is trained by Kiaran McLaughlin, who won with Invasor two years ago.
McLaughlin told the World Cup website: 'It's hard to be as confident as we were with Invasor because Invasor was a great horse, but we are confident and Albertus Maximus is doing very well.'
