Dubai's famous Godolphin stables have the best chance in years of claiming a British Classic win with Saeed bin Suroor, the trainer, picking out five horses as having a genuine chance of glory.
After saddling nine winners in four Dubai Racing Carnival meetings this season, there is a buzz about the form of the operation owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
And while success at Meydan Racecourse's inaugural season is a top priority, bin Suroor is looking forward to the summer with relish due to his crop of three-year-olds - the only horses allowed to complete in the British Classics.
"This is the best quality of horses we have had for the last four or five years," said bin Suroor. "We have horses like Al Zir, Passion for Gold, Poet's Voice, Long Lashes and Sand Vixen."
There are five British Classics and they are among the most coveted races in the world. They consist of the 2,000 Guineas, 1,000 Guineas, Epsom Oaks, Epsom Derby and St Leger Stakes.
Because only three-year-old colts and fillies can enter, British Classics are among the hardest races to win. Bin Suroor has 103 horses under his care in Dubai, but for the next few months he will be casting an extra-observant eye over the occupants of one particular barn at the Al Quoz site - where the three-year-olds reside.
Mastery won the St Leger under Ted Durcan for Godolphin last season and that victory marked the first time since 2005 that the stable claimed a British Classic.
This season Godolphin, who have amassed 24 Classics since 1994, look set to be well represented. Most talked about among the group is Passion for Gold, the six-length winner of the Group One Criterium de Saint Cloud in France in November and fancied for the Derby.
He was an honourable third in the Group Two Beresford at The Curragh before that, two lengths behind another hot three-year-old, St Nicholas Abbey from Aidan O'Brien's yard, who is the early Derby favourite. But Passion for Gold could be considered a little babyish on both those outings and his trainer said there is something effortless about the way he is working in Dubai.
"I always thought he could be at that level," said bin Suroor. "Even when he was much younger. He is growing up well and when he works in the mornings you can just see that he is one of the good ones. It's all very natural to him, with him it is effortless, like a good student, he is not lazy at all."
Al Zir, a good third in the Racing Post Trophy last season, is another that will hit the track in the spring with the benefit of a bit of maturity behind him. Named after a heroic Arabian leader from ancient times, bin Suroor has high hopes for the dark bay colt.
"I named the horse after Al Zir because I liked him so much," said bin Suroor. "From day one he stood out. He is still a little weak but we always knew he would be a better three-year-old. He is maturing and we are patient because he is going to come on."
As is usual practice, the stable's Classics contenders are wintering in the UAE, away from frosty Newmarket, which has been suffering in the throes of one of England's snowiest winters on record.
Bin Suroor said Godolphin was likely to follow the same pattern they began last year and ship horses to Newmarket early.
"It's not definite but we felt that going to England soon after the World Cup helped our horses settle," said the trainer. "We have a plan for each one but it is too early to say now.
"We know which one is good enough for which race, for example the Guineas, but will we take him to the English Guineas, or the French or the Irish? We will wait until we see what happens in our trials."
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Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
The five pillars of Islam
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Jigra
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Set-jetting on the Emerald Isle
Other shows filmed in Ireland include: Vikings (County Wicklow), The Fall (Belfast), Line of Duty (Belfast), Penny Dreadful (Dublin), Ripper Street (Dublin), Krypton (Belfast)
Teaching in coronavirus times
RESULTS
1.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m
Winner AF Almomayaz, Hugo Lebouc (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer)
2pm Handicap (TB) Dh 84,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner Karaginsky, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
2.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner Sadeedd, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard.
3pm Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,950m
Winner Blue Sovereign, Clement Lecoeuvre, Erwan Charpy.
3.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,800m
Winner Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
4pm Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner Bladesmith, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
4.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh 68,000 (D) 1,000m
Winner Shanaghai City, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly.
RESULT
Copa del Rey, semi-final second leg
Real Madrid 0
Barcelona 3 (Suarez (50', 73' pen), Varane (69' OG)
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')
Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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CHELSEA'S NEXT FIVE GAMES
Mar 10: Norwich(A)
Mar 13: Newcastle(H)
Mar 16: Lille(A)
Mar 19: Middlesbrough(A)
Apr 2: Brentford(H)
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Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now