THE world's richest race could take place without Europe's champion Helissio if there is any more rain in Dubai. Trainer French Elie Lellouche yesterday threatened to pull the colt out of the £4 million Dubai World Cup if the wet weather returns before the race.

With temperatures soaring into the 80s by mid morning and fine weather forecast he is unlikely to carry out the threat. But Lellouche was far from happy when the Nad Al Sheba racetrack, closed on Wednesday following an overnight storm, remained shut to training yesterday to give it more time to recover from its soaking. It will reopen today.

Helissio was instead re routed to Kiaran McLaughlin's training track at Red Stables where he strode out well as he breezed over six furlongs under Olivier Peslier.

"That was much better than he worked last Saturday when he worked on the main track and didn't like it because the ground was not in very good condition" said Lellouche.

"I will take a decision about whether to run or not on Saturday. We face a big challenge because the climate has not been right, so the track is not right. I will see, how it looks on Saturday.

"If it rains again between now and Saturday, the horse will not, run. The track was too heavy last time but in his previous work he had gone very well. It's a challenge to take part in the race. It can be done but everything has to be right.

"If Helissio runs he won't run again until the Coronation Cup at Epsom in June. If he doesn't he will go for the Prix Ganay at Longchamp."

Helissio was officially rated the best three year old in the world following his runaway victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe but only dead heated for third on his, final start in the Japan Cup won by Singspiel.

Britain's main hope Singspiel worked over half a mile at Godolphin's Al Quoz stables under big race jockey Jerry Bailey. He was watched and clocked by owner Sheikh Mohammed. "I think he's the one. He could run a very big race. I'm the only one who knows his time!" said the Sheikh.

Singspiel has been in Dubai for two months and has taken to the sand immediately to emerge as a serious threat to leading Americans Siphon and Sandpit.

"The big question is does he handle the surface?" said trainer Michael Stoute. "His preparation has gone well, he is in top shape. But the imponderable is about, racing on the sand."