Though he was originally a turf horse, the five-year-old son of Charnwood battled it out last year on dirt to win from the Gary Steven's mount Grey Memo by three quarters of a length, but this year the picture may look a little bit different.

The direct threat will be posed by the leading American jockey Jerry Bailey astride During who finished close second to the World Cup's contender Domestic Dispute at Santa Anita back at home before heading to Dubai earlier this month.

The second representative of the Godolphin Stables Inmarato, Kerrin McEvoy up, was fourth  to During over today's distance Belmont in September and finished fourth to him at Santa Anita over a longer distance later in February.

The colt showed some improvement after coming to Dubai and  ran a big race behind the South African World Cup joint favourite Victory Moon over the 1800 metres distance at the race avenue which suggests that the 1600 metres may be too short for him, and probably this was the reason why Dettori went for Firebreak.

Cherry Pickings, Ted Durcan rides, will have an outside chance to excel in the light of his strong run last time out beating Tropical Star, Richard Mullen in the saddle, with more than three lengths over the same distance and track.

The UAE Derby has attracted nine runners to follow the footsteps of the last year's champ Victory Moon who is looking forward now to beat the giants in the $6.000.000 Dubai World Cup.

According to trainer Satish Seemar, the Argentinian colt Little Jim will reverse positions with  Petit Paris, Jerry Bailey rides, after being hurdled by the heavy weight last time out. But a difference of one kilo does not deserve all that row and the only fact which should be appreciated is that the distance was too long for the well-bred miler.

Among the most competitive runners, a winner of the UAE Oaks Tamarillo, Gary Hind in the saddle, must be looking forward to benefit from the six kilos allowance and storm home in the same spectacular style.

Again, the Saudi raider Petit Paris made a very strong show of force under the Irish rider Willie Supple on the Super Saturday night over the same distance and would definitely do it even better with the world's best jockey Jerry Bailey taking the reins.

The British contender Ascertain, Eddie Ahern up, may have an outside chance in the light of the decent form he has displayed on dirt at the Lingfield Racecourse.

French decent performer Fair Mix is out under Oliver Peslier to renew rivalry against compatriots Polish Summer, Gary Stevens up, and Martaline, mount of Jerry Bailey along with the hot favourite Hard Buck, John Velazaques rides.

Though Fair Mix has finished disappointing fifth to Vallee Enchantee last December at Chantilly Racecourse in France, the son of  Linamix looked in very good shape since his arrival and won his UAE debut over the same distance and course in a stylish fashion.

There is no doubt the Andre Fabre-trained for the Saudi Prince Khalid Abdullah had the upper hand back at home and has never finished out of the frame in his last three outings, but the track at Nad Al Sheba may be different and so is the climate.

Hard Buck, a three time winner out of his last four appearances at the Gulfsteam Park, Churchill Downs and Kansas Downs in the US has clocked unbelievable timing over the 2200 metres distance, and if the figure published by the officials as 2:11:56 seconds is accurate, then the connections could start their celebrations right from this moment.

Defending champion of the Dubai Golden Shaheen Group One State City, Lanfranco Dettori rides, will make his seasonal debut this time in the blue colours of the Godolphin Stables to defend his title against 12 opponents representing the USA, Japan, Macau, Hong Kong and Great Britain.

State City will carry the UAE hopes to sprint past the powerful American horses though he has disappointed during his summer campaign at Belmont and Saratoga dirt tracks. There is no doubt, however, State City will gallop at his best when running at home, but considering the high profile of the American contenders, Alke under John Velazquez and Cajun Beat, mount of Jerry Bailey, the mission of the UAE representative to retain the crown may not be only difficult but also impossible.

The Japanese raider Meiner Select, Yutaka Take rides, will be thereabouts and the Hong Kong runner Multidandy, Fellix Coetzee up, will be the one to watch.

Did the South African first jockey Weicong Marwing make the right choice by preferring Right Approach to Surveyor in the Dubai Duty Free 1777m sixth race of the night on turf to stop their former compatriot Crimson Palace? According to trainer Mike de Kock it will be difficult to stop the filly. "She is a tough performer and will win the race," he predicted.

Crimson Palace impressed in her UAE debut and set a new track record beating the time of her former stable-mate Ibi Tombe. But still their more to be seen from the Italian raider Evolving Tactics, Pat Smullen rides, after having won his UAE debut in good style over a mile clocking 1:36:49 seconds comfortably. The four-year-old by Machiavellian won easily and could have made a better time had he been up with true opposition on the track.