Werther to miss rich Dubai race

The owner of Werther has pulled the pin on a trip to Dubai for the reigning Hong Kong champion.

Werther enhanced his reputation with victory in Sunday’s Hong Kong Gold Cup which was just his second start in a season interrupted by injury.

After his win trainer John Moore confirmed a mission to contest the $US6 million Dubai Turf at the World Cup meeting later this month.

But on Tuesday he told the South China Morning Post owner Johnson Chen had decided against Dubai, citing the change in climate and travel concerns.

Sydney jockey Hugh Bowman had been booked to ride him at Meydan.

Runner-up in the South Australian and Queensland Derbys before going to Hong Kong, Werther won the Hong Kong Derby and QEII Cup last season to earn Horse of the Year honours.