Dubai: There are only six runners declared to face the starter for the 11th running of the Group 2 Cape Verdi Stakes at Meydan Racecourse on Thursday, but it could yet be another monumental race following the re-appearance of Godolphin’s unbeaten Group One winner Certify.

The four-year-old daughter of Elusive Quality makes her first start since winning the Group 1 Shadwell Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket in September last year, a performance that saw her being crowned Europe’s champion two-year-old filly.

Trained by Charlie Appleby, Certify takes on five high-quality rivals as she bids to give Godolphin a third success in the $200,000 contest.

Among them are the Saeed Bin Surour-trained Shuruq, a dual winner at Meydan and French challenger Flotilla, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Fillies’ Turf in 2012 and the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches (French 1000 Guineas) last year.

Although, Certify missed all of last season, Appleby remains confident and told the Godolphin website: “Certify has been training well and I am very happy with her. She has been off for a long time and it is inevitable that she will improve on whatever she does this week.

“If she has retained her two-year-old ability, which it looks like she has, then she is going to be competitive.”

Bin Suroor, who won the Cape Verdi twice with Aspectoflove in 2011 and Sajjhaa 12 months ago, said: “Shuruq won nicely last time and she is in very good form at the moment. She worked really well on Sunday and I am very happy with her.

“She didn’t like running on soft turf last year but we will see how she goes on a faster surface in Dubai.”

South African handler Mike de Kock won this race in 2008 with Sun Classique and banks on the lightly-race Mensoora who was last seen finishing an eye-catching sixth in the Grade 1 Golden Slipper Stakes at Greyville, South Africa in July.

Group 2 Al Rashidiya race

Thursday’s Carnival card also features the 15th running of the Group 2 Al Rashidiya, a race that De Kock is bidding to win for a third consecutive year and sixth time overall.

The champion handler saddles Mujaarib and Mushreq who won the Listed Singspiel Stakes on the opening night of the 2014 Dubai World Cup Carnival.

De Kock said of the Australian-bred six-year-old: “He ran well in the Dubai Duty Free last year to be beaten less than seven lengths in a red-hot race after a busy Meydan campaign. He ran six times last season but will be campaigned more sparingly this time.

“A good run here, Super Saturday and World Cup night in the Duty Free would probably be the ideal.”

Meanwhile Godolphin’s Tasaday will be bidding to create some history by becoming the first filly to win the Al Rashidiya.

A consistent performer when based in France with Andre Fabre, the four-year-old daughter of Nayef looks to have genuine claims of becoming Bin Surour’s fifth winner of the race.

Praise for charge

The trainer was in awe of his charge and said: “She is a lovely new filly in the yard and she has been pleasing us at home. She will improve for this run but we expect a big effort.”

Appleby also saddles two interesting contenders in the highly-regarded Steeler and newcomer Maputo.

“Steeler really pleased us with his comeback run three weeks ago after his long break,” said the trainer. “He has improved for that, while Maputo is having his first start for us.

“He was progressive last year and a great addition to the team who has been working well. It is a good race, as you would expect, but our two should go well.”

There are four other handicaps on the $955,000 card which is sponsored by Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL).