Besides possible distance limitations for Best of the Bests, the depth of the Godolphin stable may play a part in not running the 5-year-old son of Machiavellian in the World Cup. Sakhee will prep for the 1 1/4-mile race later this month, and the stable also has hopes for Street Cry and E Dubai."Sakhee worked very well last week, at the moment he is probably around 85 percent fit but he will be ready for to run before the end of the month which will bring him right to his peak for the Dubai World Cup," bin Suroor said.Also on the card, a Godolphin runner failed to win the seven-furlong UAE Two Thousand Guineas prep, from which their Norfolk Stakes (gr. II) winner was a morning scratch. Both State City and Fueguino defeated Godolphin's Assaaf and Class Leader.
For the second straight year Godolphin's Best of the Bests won the Maktoum Challenge Round II (UAE-III) at Nad Al Sheba Thursday night, but the stable is uncertain he'll go on to participate in the prestigious Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) as he did last year."His best distance is probably eight to nine furlongs and whether he runs in the Dubai World Cup or another race on the day is something we have to decide," said trainer Saeed bin Suroor. "We have some very nice horses that may be better suited to the Dubai World Cup distance and we may switch him back to the Godolphin Mile but we will wait and see."Under Frankie Dettori, Best of the Bests won Thursday's race by 3 1/4 lengths over American-bred Royal Tryst, completing the 1 1/8 miles in 1:48.63. State Shinto came home third, with China Visit fourth of nine.