Premium Tap stretches his legs at Nad al Sheba

Multiple Grade 1 winner PREMIUM TAP (Pleasant Tap) got his first feel of the

main track at Nad al Sheba on Thursday, jogging once around and galloping

another lap under exercise rider Jorge Munoz after the renovation break. The

Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) contender appeared composed and in top condition, even

though he swished his tail repeatedly during his restrained gallop.

"He really wanted to do a little more than he was doing," trainer John Kimmel

said. "I'm pleased with him. You're not going to get any excuses from my camp."

The five-year-old bay improved markedly last season, capturing the Woodward

S. (G1) and romping by 7 1/4 lengths in the Clark H. (G1) in his 2006 finale. In

between those efforts, he finished third to Horse of the Year and World Cup

rival INVASOR (Arg) (Candy Stripes) in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).

After the Clark, Premium Tap was purchased by Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul

Aziz and his sons. He made his Saudi debut in the February 16 Custodian of the

Two Holy Mosque's Cup (KSA-G1) and posted a convincing 2 3/4-length victory,

with fellow World Cup hopeful FORTY LICKS (Not for Sale) back in fourth.

Kimmel said that Premium Tap, who traveled to Dubai on Wednesday, is ready

for his best effort on Saturday.

Invasor also galloped on the main track Thursday, drawing respectful "Oohs"

and "Ahhs" from observers as he flashed past with his ears up and his neck

inclined toward the grandstand as he scanned the crowd gathered for the annual

"Breakfast with the Stars."

Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) hero RED ROCKS (Ire) (Galileo [Ire]) is likewise

sending the right signals to trainer Brian Meehan in advance of Saturday's Dubai

Sheema Classic (UAE-G1).

"He's well and he's giving me the same vibes that he did before the Breeders'

Cup," Meehan said.

Among his rivals in the 1 1/2-mile turf test is Epsom Derby (Eng-G1) victor

SIR PERCY (Mark of Esteem [Ire]). The Marcus Tregoning colt battled physical

issues after his Derby score and raced only once thereafter, winding up a

disappointing seventh in the October 14 Champion S. (Eng-G1).

"All has gone well with Sir Percy's preparation coming into this race, which

wasn't the case last year," co-owner Victoria Pakenham said. "He's relaxed here

-- let's hope not too relaxed. I think a lot will depend on how he copes with

the preliminaries, which you can't really prepare him for. He was taking rather

more interest in what was going on off track today rather than concentrating on

what he was doing.

"All I know is that I'll be extremely nervous on Saturday, but we're hoping

for a good show," she added.

Jockey Martin Dwyer also sounded optimistic.

"I hope he's going to prove his doubters wrong," Dwyer said. "He's lightly

raced and a class horse. It's a competitive race, as you'd expect, with the

likes of Red Rocks and others, but I'm expecting a big run."