Preview: UAE, Thursday 5.15pm GMT (Live on ATR/RUK)
Meydan: Al Rashidiya sponsored by Dubai Duty Free (Group 2) 1m, turf, 3yo+ 5.15
PRESVIS will bid to become the first horse to win this race twice when facing eight rivals over the same 1m1f course and distance as the Dubai Duty Free on World Cup night and the best quality race of the Carnival so far.
Luca Cumani's globetrotting star, who will again be ridden by Ryan Moore who was not available when the eight-year-old last ran in May in Singapore, won this on his seasonal debut last year on his first start since Royal Ascot 2010.
He also won on his local debut in 2009 and the only time he has been beaten on his first Dubai outing of a campaign was in 2010 - the only time Presvis has run on Tapeta in Dubai.
Hisrivals are headed by 2010 UAE Derby winner Musir who oozed class when winning this year's Maktoum Challenge RI on his seasonal return. This will be a first turf start in the UAE for the Mike de Kock-trained runner but he showed himself a useful grass performer when winning a Group 2 in Turkey.
He is penalised for that success but his trainer is adamant turf will be his best surface and it looks significant that he relies on Musir from his three original entries in the race.
De Kock has won this contest three times, including with Right Approach who went on to dead-heat in the 2004 Dubai Duty Free and he has that race in mind for Musir.
Another penalised runner is Rajsaman who will be having his first start for local Champion Trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe having left Freddie Head.
Saeed Bin Suroor has won the race on four occasions but his runner, Sandagiyr, appears to have a bit to find and fellow Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni looks to have a more likely contender in City Style.
He steps out of handicap company but it may be significant that Frankie Dettori rides Le Drakkar for Abdulla bin Huzaim.
What they say:
Abdulla bin Huzaim, trainer of Le Drakkar
"He would have come on from his run in Maktoum Challenge RI and he should appreciate the return to turf having run very well in both the Al Fahidi Fort and Jebel Hattalast year. This looks a good renewal with some top-class performers in there but we should run well and having Frankie (Dettori) cannot do any harm."
Tadhg O'Shea, jockey for Trois Rois
"It looks a very good race this year and Musir, Presvis and Rajsaman are obviously going to be hard to beat. Le Trois ran well enough when I rode him behind Wigmore Hall last year and he has a run under his belt so should run his normal solid race."
Mahmood Al Zarooni, trainer of City Style
"He delighted us with his win on the opening night but that was a handicap so this is a big jump in class for him but he deserves to be given a chance in this kind of company. Mickael (Barzalona) gets on very well with the horse who has been bouncing since that win and I would like to think he can run a good race against some very good horses like Musir, Rajsaman and, of course, Presvis."
Royston Ffrench, jockey for Rajsaman
"He is a really nice new horse in the yard and his form is there for all to see. He has done everything we have asked of him since he arrived and it will be good to get him on the racecourse.
"He has a penalty in a hot race but we are hoping for a big run and, hopefully, a nice start for an exciting Carnival horse."
Mirco Demuro, jockey for Marcret
"He was a solid Group horse in Italy and has joined a good trainer. It is a strong race but the horse seems in good form."
Charlie Henson, assistant to Luca Cumani, trainer of Presvis
"He won this last year first time out and he seems in the same form now as he was twelve months ago. He did a nice piece of work on Saturday morning and we are very happy with him.
"We don't really know where we are until we get him on the racecourse but the signs are good. It looks a stronger renewal than last year and Musir is a really interesting horse switched to turf which he showed he handles in Turkey. Rajsaman is another Group 2 winner last year but at least we get weight from them both which can only be a positive."
Mike de Kock, trainer of Musir
"I have been saying for a long time that I think Musir is better on turf and this is the perfect opportunity for him to prove himself a genuine Dubai Duty Free contender over the same course and distance.
"We could not have been more pleased with his Maktoum Challenge win but that was always his first target before switching to turf. It looks a strong race but if the Duty Free is a realistic target we have to prove ourselves against the likes of Presvis and Rajsaman so this is a great chance to do just that in a race we have a decent record in. We are really looking forward to the challenge as we have a lot of faith in the horse."
Xavier Nakkachdji, trainer of Win For Sure
"He was brilliant at Meydan last year in the Carnival with two excellent Tapeta runs in Group races and winning his only turf start in a handicap. This is a lot tougher but we have targeted the Carnival for him and this is a good point to start.
"Gregory (Benoist) gets on well with him and has a good record at Meydan so it is a bonus he has flown over to ride."
Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of Sandagiyr
"This has to be the best race of the Carnival so far and Musir and Presvis are proven Carnival horses with a great record at Meydan, while Rajsaman beat our Rio De La Plata in a photo last year and is another very good horse.
"Sandagiyr is working well and is a horse who will be having his first start for us after some good runs in France. He will improve for the outing but this looks a good place to start him so we can see how good he is. Silvestre (De Sousa) rides him in the mornings and likes the horse so hopefully they go well."
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