MUELHEIM: Ten horses have been declared to battle it to the wire in the 18th round of the Wathba Stud Farm Cup III International at the Muelheim/ Ruhr Racecourse on Saturday.

The race, which is open for three-year-olds and above and carries a total purse of Euro 2,000 in prize-money will be contested over a mile with top weight Badjy looking good to cross the finish line ahead of the rest.

The six-year-old by Dormane ex Badjaya has won one of his ten starts this season and finished in the money on four other occasions.

But, the well-bred Dutch contender Senna OA poses the immediate danger. The four-year-old colt of Marwan from Saffiah is lightly raced. He took part in six races, won once and finished respectable second and third twice.

Meanwhile, trainer Bianca van der Harst saddles Detroit, a four-year-old son of Arc Kossack, who struck twice this season in six starts and claimed Euro 3,475.00 from eight appearances.

Among the other runners stands the Dutch-bred Phraseur Kossack, another tough performer by Prince d’Orient from Pengalia Kossack, daughter of the Arabian racing legend Bengali d’Albert.

“We are now very close to the end of the season and the series are growing bigger and bigger. Horses are coming from around Europe and elsewhere to compete in the 18th round of the series.

“This is further evidence that the competition is on the right track. The race has attracted a strong field of ten runners,” said Abdulla Al Qubaisi, director of Communications, Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority said.