by K.T. Donovan

Despite often having a suitable entrant, trainer Doug O'Neill always skips the Dubai World Cup meeting.

His assistant, Leandro Mora, however, brings O'Neill's credible candidates across the ocean for the big day.

Last year, the O'Neill camp won the $1-million Godolphin Mile (UAE-G2) with Spring At Last. Notional will tackle this year's $5-million Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1).

"The Godolphin Mile is a little easier this year, so we wanted Notional in that race. But J. Paul Reddam already had Barcola going [with Mark Hennig], so we thought about the Dubai Duty Free but were waiting for an invitation," Mora explained of the colt's late entry into what generally is considered the deepest race of the night.

"He can go on any surface and especially if the grass is dry, he will be okay, but it's a tough field."

Drawing more optimism is O'Neill's other starter, Grade 1 winner Great Hunter. The dark bay four-year-old has impressed in the mornings and almost one year after getting hurt in the Kentucky Derby (G1), has improved since arriving at Nad al Sheba for a shot at the $6-million Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1).

"You know, 80% don't come back from injuries," Mora said of Great Hunter's unplaced efforts in three consecutive stakes since his comeback this winter over Southern California's synthetic surfaces. "But once he stepped onto the dirt, he was very happy. I'm very pleased with him here. He is better than he is at home."

* Bill Currin leaned on the rail at Nad al Sheba and observed that Bushwacker, his entrant in the $5-milllion Gulf News Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1) was doing much better in the cool desert mornings than he had in the humidity of Gulfstream Park.

"It's important to be a good traveler, and the way we handle all our horses, they all do well," he said of the six-year-old Outflanker horse. "He has no issues, he's sound, and maturation has helped him. And I have my 19-year-old secret weapon—Joe Talamo."

Bushwacker has turned in 13 consecutive bullet works in his preparation for the six-furlong straight course of Nad al Sheba.

"I've always been curious to see how fast he would be on a straight course," Currin said. "He will leave skid marks out there. He's the fastest horse I've ever had."

* Golden Shaheen contender Idiot Proof has had limited chance to prove himself on a world stage because of some bad luck, but trainer Clifford Sise Jr. is hoping that his Benchmark colt will get a chance to show his stuff on Saturday.

"He colicked on the plane to the Breeders' Cup, and all that week just wasn't quite right," Sise said.

In spite of the setback, the Marty Wygod homebred Idiot Proof finished second. He came back to finish third behind In Summation and Barbecue Eddie in the El Conejo Handicap (G2), even though Sise later discovered that Idiot Proof was sick at that time as well.

Idiot Proof's previous start, the Phoenix Gold Cup Handicap could be considered his first real comeback race, and he finished second.

Sise said the horse will wear blinkers to keep him focused on the straight course.

"He's also had a bad habit of leaning into a horse who challenges him," he said. "He is in the best form I've ever seen him."

Indeed, the four-year-old colt has turned heads every morning, bouncing around happily on the dirt.

"I don't know how he'll run without Lasix, but they say they don't really bleed here."

As Sise and his family enjoyed the Arabian Night festivities on Thursday evening, an observer asked Sise if he would bring the horse back next year since he was enjoying himself so much.

"The next two years," he said.

K.T. Donovan is a Thoroughbred Times contributing writer