Wilko headed for Dubai

J. Paul Reddam and Susan Roy's WILKO (Awesome Again), third in last

Saturday's Santa Anita H. (G1), is scheduled to make his next start in the

$6-million Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) at Nad Al Sheba on March 25.

"We'll know more in a few days," said trainer Craig Dollase, who explained

that the chestnut has yet to return to the track since the Big Cap.

Twice a winner in England for trainer Jeremy Noseda, the four-year-old still

has just one victory to his credit in this country, his triumph in the Breeders'

Cup Juvenile (G1) in 2004. Though unable to crack the winner's circle since,

Wilko has placed in the Hollywood Futurity (G1) and last year's Santa Anita

Derby (G1). He will be back under Noseda's tutelage for his Dubai venture,

according to a statement on the trainer's website.

"Having spoken to Craig Dollase in California, he felt that with me having a

team of people in Dubai that it was a sensible decision for us to take over

Wilko's preparation for the World Cup," Noseda said on jeremynoseda.com.

"Therefore, one of my staff will fly to collect the horse this weekend. Wilko

will then be shipped to Dubai where he is scheduled to arrive on Wednesday.

"The hand-over should be very smooth as the same people will be dealing with

the horse in Dubai as dealt with him when he was with us at two, which included

his preparation ahead of the Breeders' Cup," Noseda added. "I hope the horse

travels well and that we have a problem-free last stage of his preparation into

the World Cup. Craig is a key element in that he has had the horse for almost a

year and a half. He is in charge of the horse until he leaves America. Craig and

myself will be communicating to make sure that we present the horse in as good a

shape as possible for the World Cup."