The cards fell wildly for the favored horses at the barrier draw for the 27th Dubai World Cup sponsored by Emirates.
There were audible gasps early in the ceremony as defending champion Country Grammer drew gate 14 of 15, leaving Frankie Dettori with a tactical headache on what will be his final start in the race.
Saudi Cup hero Panthalassa will break from the widest stall of all in 15, with the added intrigue that Yoshito Yahagi’s representative is a confirmed frontrunner.