Star-studded fields in prospect for Dubai

Finsceal Beo fired well off a layoff in her 2007 debut and will try the same formula in the Duty Free (Dubai Racing Club)

The nearly nine-furlong Duty Free could end up being a distinctly ladies'

affair, as all five of the distaff hopefuls are top-caliber. Champion and dual

classic heroine FINSCEAL BEO (Mr. Greeley) is slated to seek revenge on DARJINA

(Zamindar), who just foiled her bid at an unprecedented Guineas treble in the

Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (Fr-G1) last spring. New Zealand champion SEACHANGE

(Cape Cross [Ire]), who is much fitter now than when tiring to sixth in the

Jebel Hatta (UAE-G2) last time out; Japanese champion VODKA (Tanino Gimlet), the

first filly in six decades to capture the Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) last

year; and Sun Chariot S. (Eng-G1) queen MAJESTIC ROI (Street Cry [Ire]) are

other prime contenders.

The males in the Duty Free will not be pushovers, however. Well-traveled

Group 1 victor LINNGARI (Indian Ridge) only missed by a half-length in last

year's edition, despite being compromised by an awful post, and will try to

bounce back after finishing fourth to ARCHIPENKO (Kingmambo) as the two-time

defending champion in the Al Fahidi Fort (UAE-G2).

Japanese shipper ADMIRE AURA (Agnes Tachyon) represents the same connections

as 2007 hero Admire Moon, and he prepped in the same manner, by landing the

Kyoto Kinen (Jpn-G2). Others invading from the Pacific Rim are the dangerous

Hong Kong pair of BULLISH LUCK (Royal Academy) and FLORAL PEGASUS (Fusaichi

Pegasus), both hailing from the powerhouse stable of Tony Cruz, and multiple

Australian Group 1 winner NICONERO (Danzero).

Viva Pataca hopes to deploy his dazzling turn of foot in the Sheema Classic (Hong Kong Jockey Club)

Just as Japan will seek to take home the Duty Free trophy for the second year

in a row, so will Hong Kong try to defend its crown in the about 1 1/2-mile

Sheema Classic on the turf. Last year's Sheema winner Vengeance of Rain is now

retired, but his worthy successor is VIVA PATACA (Marju). Indeed, Viva Pataca

had already eclipsed Vengeance of Rain at home, and now appears ready to emulate

his achievement abroad. In his latest venture, Viva Pataca exploded to a

convincing score in the Hong Kong Gold Cup (HK-G1), the same contest that

Vengeance of Rain used as a springboard to Dubai in 2007.

Also last seen in Hong Kong was multiple Group 1 globetrotter DOCTOR DINO

(Fr) (Muhtathir [GB]), who swept to victory in the Hong Kong Vase (HK-G1) in

December. Three starts back, he scored in the Man o' War S. (G1) at Belmont.

Doctor Dino is not the only Man o' War winner in the Sheema, for multiple Grade

1 veteran BETTER TALK NOW (Talkin Man) is likewise ready to take his chance. The

nine-year-old gelding, whose landmark victories include the 2004 Breeders' Cup

Turf (G1) and the 2005 Man o' War, was a non-threatening sixth in the Fair

Grounds H. (G3) last time out. SPRING HOUSE (Chester House), the only other

American contender in the Sheema, enters off a 2 1/4-length triumph in the San

Luis Obispo H. (G2).

Diabolical could not have been more emphatic in his prep for the Golden Shaheen (Dubai Racing Club/Andrew Watkins)

While the Americans appear to have their work cut out for them in the turf

contests, they hold a much stronger hand in the Golden Shaheen, an about

six-furlong scramble down the straight. BENNY THE BULL (Lucky Lionel),

successful in the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash S. (G1) and Sunshine

Millions Sprint in his past two, spearheads a five-pronged American assault on

the lucrative event. Ancient Title S. (G1) hero IDIOT PROOF (Benchmark), Ancient

Title third BARBECUE EDDIE (Stormy Atlantic), Vernon O. Underwood S. (G3) winner

BUSHWACKER (Outflanker) and Oaklawn Park allowance/optional claiming romper

ESPERAMOS (Stormy Atlantic) are also expected to fly the flag.

Two other contenders in the provisional 15-horse field were previously based

in the United States. Godolphin's DIABOLICAL (Artax), who captured the Alfred G.

Vanderbilt H. (G2) last summer, rolled to a 4 1/2-length decision in the Mahab

al Shimaal (UAE-G3) last time out. Grade 2 victor COBALT BLUE (Golden Missile),

formerly with O'Neill, is now owned by Prince Saif Eldin Saud bin Abdulaziz and

will make his first start for Satish Seemar in the Golden Shaheen.

Royal Vintage (left) and Honour Devil will clash for the third straight time in the U.A.E. Derby (Dubai Racing Club/Andrew Watkins)

The top threats in the U.A.E. Derby are the Mike de Kock-trained pair of

ROYAL VINTAGE (Rich Man's Gold) and HONOUR DEVIL (Honour and Glory), who have

traded decisions in the first two Dubai classics. The Argentinean-bred Honour

Devil drew first blood in the U.A.E. Two Thousand Guineas (UAE-G3), but the

South African-bred Royal Vintage turned the tables with a hard-fought score in

the Al Bastakiya last time out. De Kock rates Royal Vintage the better of the

two in terms of raw ability, yet gives Honour Devil immense credit for being a

tough customer who never goes down without a struggle. Both promise to put on

another thrilling show on Saturday.

Godolphin is responsible for three of the 12 forecast runners, but Etched

(Forestry) is not among them. Instead, the royal blue battalion relies on

Argentinean Group 2 hero MY INDY (Indygo Shiner), third to the de Kock duo in

the Guineas; NUMAANY (A.P. Indy), an American Triple Crown nominee who was fifth

in the Guineas and third in the Al Bastakiya; and the filly COCOA BEACH (Doneraile

Court), a multiple Group 3 star in her native Chile who has romped in the U.A.E.

One Thousand Guineas and U.A.E. Oaks.

Rosberg will attempt to fulfill his potential at last in the Godolphin Mile (Dubai Racing Club/Andrew Watkins)

The Thoroughbred stakes action begins with the Godolphin Mile, which boasts

15 projected starters. J. Paul Reddam scored in last year's running with Spring

at Last (Silver Deputy), and this time around, his colors will be sported by

BARCOLA (Old Trieste). The three-time stakes scorer has not raced since early

December, when he just went down to the grand old battler Evening Attire (Black

Tie Affair [Ire]) by a head in the Queens County H. (G3). DIAMOND STRIPES

(Notebook) also shipped in from the United States. Victorious in the Meadowlands

Cup (G2) last fall, the gray is coming off a fourth in the Sunshine Millions

Classic and may prefer the cutback in distance here.

The eponymous stable, Godolphin, will send out ELUSIVE WARNING (Elusive

Quality) and BLACKAT BLACKITTEN (Inchinor [GB]), who fought out the finish of

the Burj Nahar (UAE-G3) in that order.

The Godolphin Mile could mark the Dubai debut of Chilean Group 1 star DON

RENATO (Edgy Diplomat), and could serve as the coming-out party for the

beautifully bred but fragile ROSBERG (A.P. Indy), a son of multiple highweight

Bosra Sham (Woodman).