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Champion US trainer Bob Baffert will go after his fourth win in the $US10 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan on March 30 with the versatile improver Dabster.

Baffert has confirmed his Dubai plans for Dabster, owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum.

Sheikh Khalifa has found the Dubai World Cup a frustrating race with three second placings by his runners Mubtaahij, Lizard’s Desire and Asiatic Boy.

“Dabster is definitely going to the Dubai World Cup,” Baffert said of his plans for the son the 2008 World Cup winner Curlin.

Dabster has not won a graded race but has two stakes wins among his five victories from 13 starts.

He has proven effective from 1400m to 2800m and two starts back was third in the G2 San Antonio behind Gift Box and Breeders Cup winner Battle of Midway.

Following the G1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 on Super Saturday at Meydan the field for the World Cup has taken shape with the first three – Cappezzano, defending champion Thunder Snow and South Korean visitor Dolkong – all confirmed starters.

They will meet the daunting North America, who skipped Round 3 to come into the World Cup a fresh horse.

Fringe players likely to line up in include New Trails and Gronkowski, both unplaced in Round 3.

Muntazah, who won the G3 Burj Nahaar on Super Saturday by 10 lengths in track record time for the 1600m, could be a surprise runner despite trainer Doug Watson indicating he preferred to start in the G2 Godolphin Mile on World Cup night.

Another star in action on World Cup night will be the Japan’s champion filly Almond Eye in the $US6 million Dubai Turf.

The winner of six of her seven starts including her last four in G1 races including the Japan Cup, owns the world record (2:20.60) for 2400m on turf.

Almond Eye could have been set for the Dubai Sheema Classic over 2410m but trainer Sakae Kunieda has instead opted to target the shorter Dubai Turf over 1800m, pointing out that she won three 1600m races including the Group 1 Oka Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) in record time.

“She is training great,” Kunieda reported. “Her weight is up to 493kg.

“With the big sweeping one turnI think the 1800m is a suitable easy distance for her first start of the year.”

“She goes into quarantine for her departure on March 20.”

The Dubai Turf will begin an ambitious 2019 for Almond Eye with the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe an ultimate goal in October.

Rivals for Almond Eye are expected to include other Japanese stars Vivlos (winner in 2017) and Deirdre (third last year) and Godolphin’s Dream Castle, who accounted for local foes in the G1 Jebel Hatta on Super Saturday.