Dubai: It’s been 76 years since the Derby Trial has delivered an Epsom Classic winner, but Godolphin will be hoping Future Empire can buck the trend and emerge as a geniune contender for the colts’ Classic on June 6.

Trained by Saeed Bin Surour, Future Empire on Wednesday faces four quality rivals headed by the John Gosden-trained Christophermarlowe, a winner of both his career starts including one over Epsom’s idiosyncratic course last September.

Other Classic wannabes are Alan Balding’s dual scorer Dance Of Fire, Marco Botti’s Sharp Sailor and the Irish raider Carbon Dating, who represents Pat Shanahan.

The last winner of the trial to win the Derby was Blue Peter in 1939. However, Wednesday’s winner will become the fourth horse in history to earn an automatic entry to the £1.325 million (Dh7.26 million) Epsom showpiece.

Future Empire, a son of New Approach, made a winning debut over seven furlongs at Newmarket last July before running well in two Group Three contests.

In August, he went down by a short-head to Aktabantay in the Solario Stakes at Sandown and he ended his juvenile season with a third place effort behind Commemorative in the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket in October.

“He’s a horse who improves with each run,” said Bin Surour. “He’s been working well and is ready to run. Obviously he’s stepping up in trip again but his action shows he should get a mile and two furlongs. But we still have to wait and see how he handles the Epsom track.”

Sharp Sailor (Marco Botti/Martin Harley) made five appearances last year, winning a mile maiden on Polytack at Linfield Park and finishing second twice in conditions events over the same distance at Kempton Park. He ended 2014 with fifth in the Listed Silver Tankard over a mile at Pontefract on October 20. This year he returned to action in a competitive mile handicap at Kempton Park on February 18, finishing third to Godolphin’s useful performer Festive Fare.

Marco Botti was optimistic of Sharp Sailor’s chances and said: “He has been a consistent horse. He finished last season in a Listed race at Pontefract but the ground had gone for him by that stage — it was too soft and he didn’t handle it.

“He is in good form at present and goes into Wednesday race-fit as he has already had a run. We decided to go to Epsom Downs as he is a very well-balanced horse and I think he will handle the course. The ground will also be in his favour.

“It looks a tough race — John Gosden’s horse could be anything and the Godolphin horse is rated 100,” he added.

“I think Sharp Sailor should run a good race and the step up in trip and small field should be in his favour.”

The Trial forms part of a six-race card at the Spring Meeting, which starts at 5.10pm (UAE) and is live on Dubai Racing Channel.