America's champion Curlin put his rivals to the sword when an emphatic winner of the Dubai World Cup, sponsored by Emirates.

Such was the sheer command and authority of his performance, his jockey Robbie Albarado can hardly have had an anxious moment as the US Champion travelled supremely well throughout the race, stalking the lead before the American rider let him go to the lead in the straight.

The race was over in a matter of strides as Curlin pulled clear of his toiling rivals to take the US$6million showpiece by seven and three quarters lengths without being fully extended.

There was a long fought out duel for second place between Johnny Murtagh on Asiatic Boy and another US challenger Well Armed and Aaron Gryder, with the runner-up spot eventually going to Asiatic Boy, but by then Curlin had flown. AP Arrow finished fourth, but none of the others could get in a blow.

The disappointment of the race was the Japan Cup Dirt winner Vermillion, fourth in the race last year, who finished last of all, with jockey Yutaka Take unable to offer any reason for the run.