U.S., foreign runners prep for Dubai Racing Carnival

Trainer Jeff Mullins arrived in Dubai late Sunday night and was out at the

track early Monday to supervise the final works of his two Dubai International

Racing Carnival candidates. Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) hopeful CHOCTAW

NATION (Louis Quatorze) reeled off six furlongs in 1:13 4/5 on the Nad Al Sheba

main track. The five-year-old gelding won the first five races of his career,

including the San Diego H. (G2) at Del Mar last August, but was sidelined after

running fourth in the Pacific Classic (G1). He made his return in the San Carlos

H. (G2) and finished fourth again.

"Choctaw Nation actually looks a little better here than he did (in

California)," Mullins said. "I was surprised."

Also breezing Monday was Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1) runner MY COUSIN

MATT (Matty G), who zipped a half in :46 2/5. Off the board in the 2003 Shaheen,

the six-year-old won once in eight tries last year, but managed a solid third at

60-1 in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1). He has been out twice since, running

seventh after troubled starts in both the Vernon O. Underwood H. (G3) and

the Sunshine Millions Sprint.

"That horse's only problem is the starting gate," Mullins said.

Met Mile (G1) hero PICO CENTRAL (Brz) (Spend a Buck) exited his final prep for the

Dubai Golden Shaheen in good order, trainer Paulo Lobo reported yesterday.

"The hoof is good," Lobo said. "He's been eating everything every day and he

is drinking a lot of water, which is a good sign. Everything is perfect."

Trainer Mike de Kock breezed four of his Carnival starters. Dubai

World Cup runner YARD-ARM (Western Winter) and Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-G1)

hopeful GREYS INN (Zabeel) breezed together, but Yard-Arm hit the wire first,

clocking the 1000 meters in 1:00 3/5. His workmate was timed in 1:00 4/5.

"I am very happy with Yard-Arm," de Kock said of the five-year-old, who comes

off a win in the Al Fahidi Fort (UAE-G3).

"I left him a little fresh before his last start and I have done a lot more

with him leading into this race."

Greys Inn, a three-time Group 1 winner in South Africa who took the Dubai

City of Gold S. (UAE-G3) last out, will be on the road again after this outing.

"All being well, we are planning to take him to Hong Kong for the QEII

(HK-G1)," de Kock said. "Our long-term plans also include taking him to America

with the rest of the team and maybe to Australia at the end of the year."

De Kock has won nine Carnival races in the past, sending out the last two

winners of the UAE Derby (UAE-G2) as well as 2003 Dubai Duty Free H. (UAE-G1)

heroine Ipi Tombe (Zim), and RIGHT APPROACH (Machiavellian), who dead-heated for

first in the 2004 Dubai Duty Free. This year, de Kock will saddle WOLF WHISTLE

(Badger Land) for the Dubai Duty Free and Cape Gillies Guineas (SAf-G1) winner

EMERALD BEAUTY (Equalize) for the Godolphin Mile (UAE-G2).

Working in company,

Wolf Whistle and Emerald Beauty breezed out of the gate Monday, going the last three furlongs of the move in

:36. Wolf Whistle will be joined in the gate Saturday by Right Approach and the

four-year-old filly MOON DAZZLE (Kingmambo). De Kock will go after a third

consecutive UAE Derby with the duo of CANDIDATO ROY (Roy), a Group 1 winner in

South Africa, and BECRUX (Glen Jordan), who rebounded from a 13th in the UAE

2000 Guineas (UAE-G3) with a handy conditions score February 25.