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All Eyes on Desert Party

DUBAI - Replaced as the opening Thoroughbred race by the Al Quoz Sprint, the $1million Group 2 Godolphin Mile, sponsored by Etisalat, is the first All Weather race on the night for the Thoroughbreds and again the maximum field of 14 will go to post.

The Godolphin team have a great record in the 1600m race with eight winners and their Desert Party (in picture) looks a worthy favourite after an impressive winning return in the 1200m Group 3 Mahab Al Shimaal on Super Thursday. That was his first outing since the Kentucky Derby and his first in the UAE since chasing home stable companion Regal Ransom in last year’s UAE Derby, having previously beaten that rival in the UAE 2000 Guineas. Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: “We gave him plenty of time to get over a setback and he did that well last time. This trip will suit and he has improved from that run.”

Stable companion Skysurfers was the most impressive winner of a conditions event over Saturday’s course and distance on his UAE bow, having also won his sole start in the UK. With Frankie Dettori choosing Desert Party, Ted Durcan takes the ride and bin Suroor continued: “He won his first two starts very well and is a horse we have always liked. He ran ok last time and should give a good account.”

He was fifth on Super Thursday, over course and distance, behind the Brian Meehan-trained Cat Junior under an inspired front-running ride from Richard Hills. He is claimed to ride Kalahari Gold so Jamie Spencer takes over and Meehan said: “Jamie knows the horse well and he came out of that race in good form. We have to be hopeful if the blinkers work again.”

Jeremy Noseda trains Forgotten Voice who was not far behind Skysurfers on that occasion and is respected under Ryan Moore but Green Coast, trained by Doug Watson, was staying on strongly in second on that occasion. He is the mount of newly crowned Champion Jockey Tadhg O’Shea who said: “He is a bonny little horse who always runs well. Conditions suit and he worked well on Monday so I expect to be in the mix.”

Kalahari Gold is a stable companion and he too pleased jockey Richard Hills on Monday: “He has worked well and is in good form. His best form gives him a big chance and he should be competitive.” Japan won this in 2006 with Utopia so Glorious Noah is respected, while the previous year Mike de Kock saddled Grand Emporium to win this. He relies on Lucky Find this year.