Miesque's Approval works half-mile at Nad al Sheba

Miesque's Approval has earned more than $2.6 million (Deborah Kral/Horsephotos.com)

Turf champion MIESQUE'S APPROVAL (Miesque's Son) worked 800 meters in :48 over

the Nad al Sheba turf course on Tuesday. The Marty Wolfson-trained horse will

face 15 rivals in Saturday's $5 million Dubai Duty Free (UAE-G1).

"He was flying down the lane," assistant Andrew Malek said. "He loves the grass here."

Miesque's Approval capped 2006 with a resounding four-length score in the

Breeders' Cup Mile (G1), but he didn't fire when opening this season with a

fifth in the Canadian Turf H. (G3) at Gulfstream Park. A superb international

cast is entered in the about 1 1/8-mile Duty Free, and the eight-year-old Miesque's

Approval is

part of a strong American contingent along with LAVA MAN (Slew City Slew) and

ENGLISH CHANNEL (Smart Strike).

Godolphin Mile (UAE-G2) contender VORTEX (GB) (Danehill) breezed 400 meters in

:34.20 over the fast

main track at Nad Al Sheba. Trainer Gay Kelleway was happy

with the work, but not with Vortex's draw in the Mile. The eight-year-old will

break

from post 15 in the field of 16.

"He's very well, but I must just be unlucky,"

Kelleway said. "We were badly drawn on his last start here, and he's drawn high

again this time too. Having said that, there's usually a good pace on here, so

hopefully (jockey) Johnny (Murtagh) can tuck in and come through horses and we

won't be far away."

French stakes winner MERLERAULT (Royal Academy), also headed to the Godolphin

Mile, traveled 600 meters in :37.

Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) entrant KANDIDATE (Kabool), a 5 3/4-length winner in

the Maktoum Challenge Round 2 S. (UAE-G3) last out, went 400 meters in :30.