A book about Saturday’s Dubai World Cup is sure to be written. Dick Francis should have lived longer. The heart-stopping three-way photo finish in the world’s richest race was the culmination of a great racing day. If there was a ‘race scene’ in a Hitchcock movie, could he have generated more excitement? I do not believe so.

What Gloria de Campeao did is easy to describe. The 33 year-old Tiago Pereira took his mount to the front. We’ll use the quotes from jockey Pereira to pick the race up. “He settled in front and I dropped my hands 300 metres out and asked him to kick on. This is all a dream. This horse deserved that after a great run in this race last year. He was very unlucky in the Maktoum Challenge.”

Jockey Pereira spoke about the moments as the photo was being studied. “I thought I had won. I looked across and the second jockey (Kevin Shea) was celebrating. So, I kept quiet. Gloria de Campeao is certainly helping my career.”

Pascal Bary trains the Brazilian-bred Gloria de Campeao. Bary is France-based. He was exultant. “That was a great performance. This horse is so brave and once he is in front, he does not like to be passed.”

Owner Stephan Friborg, a Swedish native, was laconic. “I don’t have a word for it.”

He did not stop however. “It is fantastic. He’s very tough.”

Gloria de Campeao will turn seven this summer because he comes from the southern hemisphere. He was second to Well Armed in the 2009 World Cup. In 2008, he was eighth in the World Cup won by Curlin. At Kranji in Singapore last year, Gloria de Campeao beat back a strong bid from Presvis to win the Singapore Airlines Trophy. In a race preceding the World Cup, Gloria de Campeao was beaten by Red Desire in the final round of the Maktoum Challenge. Red Desire was 11th in the big race on Saturday.

Lizard’s Desire came out of the (chasing) pack and made up ground quickly in the waning yards but Gloria de Campeao refused to be mugged on the line. The 33-1 Lizard’s Desire was ridden by Kevin Shea. A short head away in third between horses was the Godolphin-owned Allybar, a 16-1 chance ridden by Ahmed Ajtebi.

Jockey Kevin Shea, who rode Bankable to a second place finish in the Dubai Duty Free, put his feelings into words. “It was a very bitter pill to swallow but I’ve got to swallow it. I looked up just after the line and I was in front. I thought I’d got it. It is hard to take. My horse gave me everything but the winner got it soft up front. It is indeed great to be involved in such an exciting race.”

The Grade I (turf) Sheema Classic went to Dar Re Mi from John Gosden’s yard. It was a great beginning for the Gosden-Buick partnership. Jockey William Buck is the retained rider for John Gosden this year. A daughter of Singspiel who is a winner of the World Cup, Dar Re Mi proved the best in a three-way battle down the lane. Buena Vista took the runner-up berth. The luckless Spanish Moon ran a blinder to be third.

The Golden Shaheen (tapeta 1200 metres) was won by America-based Kinsale King. The Carl O’Callaghan-trained Kinsale King tracked the leaders and struck the front close home. That was a well-judged steer by Garrett Gomez. Kinsale King was a 7-1 chance with the British bookmakers.

The UAE Derby was taken by the strongly fancied Musir, the 11/8 favourite. The Mike de Kock trainee was given a great ride by Christophe Soumillon. Staying inside, Soumillon was able to advance despite the tight quarters he was in and was in the clear in the final 200 metres.

The Dubai Duty Free (1800 metres turf) was won by Al Shemali, a 40-1 chance. Royston French rode the winner. Al Raihe trains Al Shemali.

The Godolphin Mile (tapeta) was taken by Calming Influence. Ahmed Ajtebi rode for Sheikh Mohammed. Mahmoud Al Zarooni is the winning trainer.

Gio Ponti, the top US runner, finished fourth in the World Cup. Gitano Hernando, favourite at post time, was given an inside trip by Kieren Fallon. There was a bit of trouble. Twice Over, the Henry Cecil trainee, was wide for the most part and was 10th. Vision d’Etat ran 12th and was not prominent at any point.

It was an auspicious start for the Meydan, the state-of-the-art facility. The tapeta surface has received wide acceptance. There have been rave reviews. Trainers and jockeys, interviewed on the broadcasts, expressed complete satisfaction with the course.

I watched the races at home. Two racing networks, HRTV and TVG, carried the races. HRTV had an on- site correspondent. Scott Hazelton did a commendable job. Rishi Persad and Jim McGrath were the leading TV personalities from England.

Let me make this clear. There is no betting in Dubai. There is wagering across the world. The Dubai Carnival is followed around the world. Based on what I saw on TV and conversations I’ve had, there was no undercurrent indicating the problems the desert kingdom is going through. Godolphin involvement in Europe, Australia and America is deep and the most wonderful thing about the Dubai royal family is the fact that the races are fair and keenly contested.

Action is picking up in England, Ireland and France. In my next report, we will take a look.

Becket’s defeat at the hands of stablemate, Change of Luck in the Indian St Leger is generating a storm in Indian racing. Doosra theories are being advanced. I want those who believe in dark conspiracies to consider what happened at Fair Grounds on March 13. Rachel Alexandra, the 2009 Eclipse winner and a favourite at 1/20 in a graded race, ran second. Betting on horses is an attempt to make the correct prediction in a sphere of the unknown. Please keep that in mind.

I am resuming normal activity. The weather is very different in Chicago. I may go to Hawthorne this Saturday. The Illinois Derby, a race for sophomores, is a prep for the Kentucky Derby. Peter Galassi, the announcer (commentator) at Hawthorne, is a close friend. He steps in when I cannot do my harness handicapping line for the Chicago Sun-Times. Peter wears several hats. He does the thoroughbred handicapping for the Sun-Times. Hawthorne is 12 miles east of where I live.

US Postal Service wants to deliver mail five days a week-Monday through Friday. At the moment, there is a six-day schedule. The proposal is being communicated by email. The Postal Service is using email.