Cigar smoulders in build up to Dubai treasure hunt

Cigar, unbeaten in 10 races last year and the hot favourite for next month's Dubai World Cup, reappears at Gulfstream Park, Florida, today.

America's 1995 horse of the year is 5-4 favourite with City Index for the inaugural $4m Dubai event on 27 March, the world's richest race.

The Bill Mott-trained six-year-old faces seven opponents in the Grade One nine-furlong Dom Handicap at Gulfstream.

In Melbourne tomorrow, two of Australia's Dubai hopefuls contest the Grade One C F Orr Stakes. Mahogany (20-1 for Dubai with City Index) and Jeune (33-1) are running in a seven-furlong race at Sandown.

Another World Cup contender, Pennekamp, last year's 2,000 Guineas winner, has thrown a splint after arriving in Dubai. But trainer, Andre Fabre, is confident the colt will recover in time for the big race.