The Al Quoz-based outfit have 21 runners in the 109-strong field across the eight feature, thoroughbred races, although they have no involvement in the Al Quoz Sprint so that latter figure is actually 93.

Thus, with a 22.5% representation in their seven outings from the Godolphin Mile to the Dubai World Cup, favouring one challenger over another could be considered something of a logistical minefield.

However, Saeed bin Suroor has high hopes for Lanfranco ‘Frankie’ Dettori’s ride, African Story, in the Godolphin Mile, while Mahmood Al Zarooni is equally as buoyed about the Italian jockey’s Dubai Gold Cup chances aboard Opinion Poll.

“I think Opinion Poll is the one in the Gold Cup. This is the race I think we can win,” trainer Al Zarooni replied when asked to pinpoint his main contenders this weekend.

“After he finished second behind Fox Hunt (who had Dettori on board earlier this month), Frankie jumped off and said: ‘Next time, I’ll ride Opinion Poll.’

“Fox Hunt had already had three runs, whereas that was the first race for Opinion Poll, so he (Dettori) knew – as a jockey – this horse will improve and he’s won on him five times in the United Kingdom (Ascot: 1, Goodwood: 1, Nottingham: 1, York: 2), with three of those victories in Group Two races (Goodwood & York (2)).”

Bin Suroor believes his own runner in the Gold Cup, Grand Vent, will stay the distance in the first time the four-year-old colt has travelled over the 3,200m (16 furlongs) trip and is “physically improving all the time.”

Nonetheless, he concedes his stable counterpart Al Zarooni has a “better chance” of prevailing outright with Opinion Poll, while his main aspirations appear pinned on the five-year-old gelding, African Story. “I highlight this horse a lot,” he enthused. “He’s improving all the time and we won well last time when he beat Musir. He’s been improving physically after every race. He’s solid, he tries hard and the trip will suit him no problem.

Godolphin’s 21 runners:

Godolphin Mile: African Story, Sandagiyr & Do It All (Three of 14 runners).

Dubai Gold Cup: Fox Hunt, Grand Vent & Opinion Poll (Three of 13 runners).

UAE Derby: Falls of Lora, Helmet & Kinglet (Three of 14 runners).

Dubai Golden Shaheen: Sepoy & Soul (Two of 12 runners).

Dubai Duty Free: City Style, Delegator and Rio De Le Plata (Three of 16 runners).

Dubai Sheema Classic: Cavalryman, Shimraan & Songcraft (Three of 10 runners).

Dubai World Cup: Capponi, Mendip, Monterosso & Prince Bishop (Four of 14 runners).