He was trained by Charlie Appleby as is Lazuli  who appears to hold leading claims after an excellent second on his seasonal reappearance in the Listed Dubai Sprint, chasing home stable companion Man Of Promise who was landing the 1200m turf dash for a second consecutive season.

The 5yo Dubawi gelding will be partnered by William Buick and Charlie Appleby said: "We were delighted with Lazuli's first run of the year in the Dubai Sprint and he is dropping back to his best trip here.

"If he can come forward slightly for his seasonal return, which we expect him to do, it will make him a very live contender, while he also has a nice draw in stall nine."

Doug Watson saddled Waady to win this in 2019 but he was well beaten when only fourth of five runners trying to defend his crown last year. He has also failed to shine in two outings this season and was well behind Lazuli in the aforementioned Dubai Sprint on his latest appearance.

Watson also saddles Wild Majesty  who will be having his first start for the American but third at the 2022 carnival after two unplaced efforts for Frenchman Henri-Francois Devin but was just in front of Waady in the Listed Dubai Dash, over Friday's 1000m on turf, on his local debut in January.

Watson said: "Wild Majesty is new to us so we are learning about him and he has worked great since joining us. He looks a nice addition to the barn.
"Waady had his first start of the season in the middle of January and then we ran him back a fortnight later which was probably too soon.

"We expect him to run better this time with three weeks since his last run but, obviously, it is a strong race."

Wild Majesty is the mount of Andrea Atzeni who partnered Equilateral to land this prize last year for Charlie Hills and Fitri Hay who, this time, are represented by Khaadem. The mount of Frankie Dettori, the 6yo Dark Angel gelding was one length behind Lazuli in the aforementioned Dubai Sprint.

Trained by Nigel Tinkler in the UK, Acklam Express was second in this, as a 3yo, on his local debut last year before finishing third in both Super Saturday's Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint and the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint on the Dubai World Cup card.

For Australia, Will Clarken runs both He's A Balter, the choice of Caitlin Jones and Parsifal, a nice spare ride for Jamie Spencer. Jones partnered both on their pleasing local debuts, over 1200m on turf, on the same carnival card, three weeks ago, He's A Balter beaten just a nose in a consolation race for those not getting a place in the final field for the Dubai Sprint in which Parsifal was sixth.

Also on turf but over 2810m, the Group 3 Nad Al Sheba Trophy has attracted a field of 15 and again Appleby and Buick appear to hold a major chance, this time with the unbeaten Manobo.

The 4yo gelded son of Sea The Stars, homebred by Godolphin, made a winning start to his career, as a 3yo, over 2000m at Newbury last May. He followed that with a 2400m victory on the all-weather at Kempton before two successful forays to France, winning in Listed company and, most recently at the beginning of October, landing the 3000m Group 2 Prix Chaudenay.

Appleby said: "Manobo's preparation has gone well and this is very much a stepping stone towards Dubai World Cup Night and, we hope, the Dubai Gold Cup.

"He had a lovely debut year as a 3yo and we are looking forward to seeing him back in action."

Saeed bin Suroor saddles Global Heat for Godolphin and the 6yo gelding arrives race fit having already contested three contests at this year's carnival.

To be ridden by Dettori for the first time this year, he was beaten just a head when runner-up in this last year and looked to be running into form when not beaten far, albeit only sixth, in a 2400m turf handicap just last week.

Bin Suroor, who also saddles Dubai Horizon, the mount of Pat Cosgrave, said: "Global Heat came out of his race last week in good form and has run well over this trip in the past, so we are hoping for a better effort this time.

"Dubai Horizon has done well since his most recent run, which was his first appearance for a long time. He has been working nicely at home and will also enjoy this distance."

Over 1900m for 3yo fillies, the dirt highlight is the Group 3 UAE Oaks in which the unbeaten Shahama will seek to add a second Classic to her CV having already won the 1600m UAE 1000 Guineas for Fawzi Nass and KHK Racing.

Aboard for all three of her career victories, Adrie de Vries is hoping they can maintain their unblemished record. He said: "On form she is obviously the one to beat and we are very hopeful the extra 300m will not inconvenience her."

Runner-up in the UAE 1000 Guineas having also chased home Nass' filly when Shahama debuted over 1400m in early December, Doug Watson's Minwah was fifth to the same rival, also over 1400m, in the trial for the Guineas but has another crack at her nemesis.

Watson said: "Obviously it's a tough race with Shahama in there but Minwah ran very well behind her last time and, over the longer trip, hopefully we can at least get closer this time."