Dubai: Fifteen years after Kazzia gave Godolphin a second victory in The Oaks (G1), the third of Britain’s five Classics, Charlie Appleby’s Sobetsu bids to recapture the famous trophy on the opening day of the Epsom Derby Festival in the UK.

The daughter of Dubawi faces nine rivals, led by the favourite Rhododendron, in the stiff mile-and-a-half test.

An impressive winner of the Prix Saint-Alary at Deauville on her seasonal reappearance earlier this month, it was perceived that the French Oaks at Chantilly would be her Classic target.

However, given the favourable ground conditions at Epsom, she will now attempt to follow in the footsteps of Godolphin’s Balanchine, who triumphed in 1994 and Kazzia in 2002.

“We know she appreciates a bit of cut and she doesn’t want it too quick, but we wouldn’t want it too testing on her first start over a mile and a half either,” Appleby said on the Godolphin website.

In what looks an intriguing Oaks, Horseplay, Coronet, Natavia and Enable also look live contenders.

Meanwhile, Hawkbill heads a three-strong Godolphin challenge for the Group 1 Coronation Cup, along with Prize Money and Frontiersman.

Last season’s Group 1 Eclipse Stakes hero Hawkbill was an impressive winner on his seasonal debut in the Group 3 Al Rayyan Stakes over a mile and a half on soft ground at Newbury on May 20.

Saeed Bin Surour’s Prize Money was a dual winner over 12-furlongs at Meydan before finishing fourth to another Godolphin runner Jack Hobbs in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic on March 25.

Appleby’s Frontiersman takes a huge step up in class following an easy success in a 12-furlong Newmarket handicap on May 7.

The trainer commented: “Hawkbill won over a mile and a half last time and we feel that is his best trip this season. We ran him at Newbury to gain some confidence and he has come out of the race very well.

Bin Surour reported: “Prize Money ran some very good races out in Dubai, winning the Dubai City Of Gold.

“We took him to Chelmsford City for a piece of work last Saturday, which went well, and he is ready to start his European campaign.

“He looks in good condition and a mile and a half is a nice trip. He is a horse that we like and it is a case of so far, so good with him.”

A field of 10 for the Coronation Cup also features Highland Reel, a Group 1 winner in the UK, USA and Hong Kong, plus last season’s British Champions Fillies’ & Mares’ Stakes scorer Journey.