Only two trainers have had the distinction of winning the UAE Derby (Gr 1) in eight previous runnings and once more they go head-to-head in a bid to extend their dominance of the colts' classic.
Godolphin's Saeed Bin Surour has sent out five winners against the three prepared by South African maestro Mike de Kock, who won the race 12 months ago with the very impressive Asiatic Boy.
De Kock appears to hold the upper hand on Bin Surour today as he is represented by two very high class colts - Honour Devil and Royal Vintage - who have fought out two thrilling finishes in the UAE 2000 Guineas and Al Bastakiya. Honour Devil won the first-named race, but Royal Vintage gained revenge in the latter.
De Kock says it's hard to split the pair, but hopes that one of them will win on Saturday.
'In good form'
"I don't know who will come out on top, but they are both in good form," the trainer said. "Honour Devil has proved himself a real fighter whereas Royal Vintage is progressive. That said, they are hopefully both improving."
Commenting on the opposition that his stable stars face today, de Kock commented: "I expect a big show from the Godolphin duo My Indy and Numaany who will surely have come on for their last runs. The filly Cocoa Beach has looked good, but we don't know how strong the races were that she won."
Her trainer Saeed Bin Surour declared: "She has really thrived over the past couple of months and she looked very good in winning the UAE Oaks last time out. However, the UAE Derby will be a much tougher race for her against the colts, but we think she is up to the challenge." Seven-time UAE champion jockey Ted Durcan was aboard the filly when she romped to victories in the UAE 1000 Guineas and UAE Oaks. Durcan is excited about riding her in the big race.
'Looking forward'
He said: "I had a lovely ride on Cocoa Beach in the UAE Derby - I am really looking forward to it. I think it is a stronger race than in some years - she is quite big and strong so she should be able to hold her own against the colts.
"It is a very hot race, but I would not swap her for anything else in the field.
"She has done everything we have asked of her and has a lovely attitude, so we have to go there with a degree of optimism."
Optimism has encouraged former Dubai World Cup-winning trainer Dale Romans to aim for a slice of history in the race, as he bids to send out his first American-trained winner in Massive Drama.
Romans, who trained 2005 World Cup winner Roses in May, explained the rationale behind bringing the Zayat Stables-owned Massive Drama to Dubai.
"Mr Zayat has several three-year-old's who were hitting all their Derby prep in America and this is one of his better horses and he wanted to try and come over here and win a race so it made a lot of sense to keep the ones in America separated and give him a shot at a big purse," said Romans. "It is definitely going to be a tough race," he added.
