Just about everyone watching Saturday’s $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) was on tenterhooks as odds-on favorite Calandagan had a lot of ground to make up.

Despite regional war and torrential rain this week, Meydan will stage the 30th Dubai World Cup extravaganza on Saturday.

The Aga Khan Studs’ homebred Calandagan outdueled favored Masquerade Ball, becoming the first international shipper to prevail in 20 years.

European superstar Calandagan takes on a home team including the past three Japanese Derby (G1) winners in the Japan Cup (G1) at Tokyo late Saturday night.

The Aga Khan Studs’ homebred Calandagan deployed his trademark turn of foot in a last-to-first performance in Saturday’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth (G1) at Ascot.

Last year’s Japanese champion three-year-old male, Danon Decile, scored in his first international foray in Saturday’s $6 million Dubai Sheema Classic (G1) at Meydan.

As he often does, trainer Aidan O'Brien entered a pacemaker in Wednesday's Juddmonte International (G1) at York, ostensibly to ensure a proper gallop for Coolmore's star three-year-old City of Troy.