This is the last move available to Charlie Appleby.
The Godolphin trainer has taken the safe option with Tryster and will run the synthetic freak on turf in the Group 3 Dubai Millennium Stakes at Meydan on Thursday.
Tryster is unbeaten in six starts on all-weather surfaces in England and Appleby had hoped that the son of Shamardal would be an ideal candidate for a tilt at the Dubai World Cup on dirt next month.
The five-year-old gelding has not been training well on the surface, however, and plans to run in the most valuable race in the world have been shelved in favour of Thursday’s more lowly 2,000-metre feature.
Uruguayan superstar Sir Fever is unlikely to be seen during the Dubai World Cup Carnival due to a series of setbacks, so Appleby has two further chances of having a runner in the US$10 million (Dh36.7m) race on March 26.
Read more: Ertijaal 'to have a go at the dirt' and could join Mike De Kock runner Mubtaahij at Dubai World Cup
Cat O’Mountain, who was third in the World Cup in 2014, is out to prove his worth in the dirt handicap over 1,900m, having finished very leg weary in a handicap last month.
Then there is United States import Footbridge, who needs to spring back to life over 300m shorter to have any chance of taking a hand next month.
If neither runs well the Marmoom handler will be without a contender in the World Cup for the second successive season.
“In the past we have seen horses come through the Carnival to win the Dubai World Cup but I’m not sure that is going to be the case this year,” Appleby said.
“Luckily, Godolphin have Frosted, who turned up from America ready made and California Chrome is also a proper racehorse already. I don’t think I’m going to have anything for the race.”
Tryster’s ability on the all-weather has yet to be showcased on turf in four attempts. He won an easy maiden on his second start before he suffered a leg injury on grass that forced him to miss the rest of his three-year-old season.
He was then last of five runners in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown in May.
He will break from Gate 5 under William Buick.
“I wouldn’t say he was truly comfortable on dirt and I don’t want to give him a bad experience on it,” Appleby said.
“He is a hold-up horse who likes to come through a big field, so I would cancel out that Sandown run.
“I’d be kicking myself if he came back with bucketloads of sand on his first go on it.
“We know he goes on turf and on his homework he’ll run a big race.”
Fellow Godolphin trainer Saeed Bin Suroor may provide the most serious challenge to Tryster in Haafaguinea, who has won his last two races at Meydan.
Bin Suroor is hoping that an acquaintance with the track will help Haafaguinea, who will emerge from Gate 2 with Frederick Tylicki on his back.
“Haafaguinea won well on his seasonal return and has been working nicely,” he said.
“He is a tough horse, who always tries hard, and we felt that he deserved a chance in a better race.”
Five to look out for at Meydan
Glory Awaits
7.35pm, turf, 1,400m, handicap Glory Awaits has won three times and two of those were when he wore blinkers in a Group 2 and a Listed race. Look out for the blinkers Thursday.
Maftool
8.10pm, dirt, 1,600m, handicap Maftool was good enough to beat subsequent UAE Derby winner Mubtaahij over Thursday's distance of 1,600 metres last season. He has now been gelded. It could be the making of him.
Earnshaw
8.45pm, turf, 2,000m, Group 3 Saeed bin Suroor's Haafaguinea and Tryster will be tough to beat but Earnshaw has been running well in top races for a year now and could be overlooked.
Toscanini
9.20pm, turf, 1,000m, handicap Godolphin unleash the exciting Toscanini, trained in Ireland by Michael Halford. The four-year-old ran a blinder when fourth behind Al Quoz Sprint winner Sole Power in September and has won on his seasonal bow before.
Zarwaan
10.30pm, dirt, 1,500m, handicap Zarwan is burdened by topweight of 60kgs in the concluding handicap but had no problems carrying big weights when successful in England. He has blown away the cobwebs with a run at Meydan and can fight out the finish with Udododontu.
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