Dubai It is a particularly busy weekend in the local racing world with the Dubai World Cup Carnival continuing on Thursday evening, with further action at Jebel Ali on Friday and Abu Dhabi on Sunday, as well as a bloodstock sale at Meydan on Saturday afternoon.
Thursday's big race is the Group 3 UAE Oaks over 1900m on the Tapeta. Only six 3yo fillies have been declared and Godolphin handler Mahmoud Al Zarouni is responsible for both Pimpernel and Falls of Lora with Frankie Dettori riding the former.
Runner-up to stable companion Gamilati in the UAE 1000 Guineas on her only previous local start, Pimpernel was in front of four of this evening's opponents on that occasion.
Falls Of Lora, to be ridden by Barzalona, is making her UAE debut and has some useful form to her name in the UK but Dettori's mount certainly appears the most likely winner and Al Zarouni said: "With Gamilati to be aimed at the 1000 Guineas in Newmarket we did not enter her in the UAE Oaks but this was always Pimpernel's target after that good run in the UAE Guineas. She has been in good form at home since that race and we are expecting her to run very well.
"Falls Of Lora is also a nice filly but is having her first start since October and will improve for the outing."
It is hard to see the other quartet reversing Guineas form with Pimpernel.
Classic trial
Like the UAE Oaks, the Meydan Classic Trial over 1600m on turf, is restricted to 3yos. Trial winner Factory Time again clashes with runner-up Kenny Powers and the third, Fiscal. This is a lot stronger race though and Cash Luck and Entifaadha look genuine contenders. The latter, owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, is to be ridden by Richard Hills who confirmed this week that he retires from the saddle after Dubai World Cup on March 31. His mount here looked a smart prospect winning his first two starts last year and is an interesting contender.
The 1000m turf handicap looks a cracker with the weights headed by the Robert Cowell-trained Prohibit, a course and distance winner last year before returning to the UK to win in Group 1 company at Royal Ascot. He is having his start of 2012, whereas stable companion Monsieur Joe has already won a similar race this year.
The pair face 11 rivals, all of whom appear to hold a chance in a wide open contest.
Friday's Jebel Ali meeting is highlighted by a 1000m conditions race, the prep for the Listed Jebel Ali Sprint which was won in 2010 by Terrific Challenge. He will be a popular Pick 6 selection on Friday but faces stiff opposition from the likes of course and distance winners Mujaazef and Star Crowned. The latter will be ridden by Silvestre De Sousa who was on Wednesday confirmed as Godolphin's second jockey behind Frankie Dettori.
However, the main danger could be Kilt Rock who won his first four starts of the campaign before a narrow defeat last time.
