UAE Derby, Sponsored by the Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah group

Dubai : Godolphin's search for a Kentucky Derby contender begins here, like it has done since the $2million UAE Derby was first run in 2000.

China Visit won the inaugural UAE Derby and went on to run in America, where he finished sixth. It was the best result the stable would have despite several subsequent attempts.

Today, Godolphin will be hoping that Mendip, unbeaten, and undoubtedly impressive in three career starts, can win the colt's Classic and stamp his ticket to Kentucky. The dream would come alive yet again.

But the three-year-old mount of Frankie Dettori, a two-time winner at Meydan this year, must first beat off top quality rivals in Musir and Raihana, respective winners of the UAE 2000 Guineas and Oaks.

However, trainer Saeed Bin Surour, who has won the UAE Derby on six occasions, believes Mendip has a big chance.

"I like Mendip. He is a little bit hot — sweating up at times but he is getting more relaxed. He is working very nicely," he said.

"He is improving both mentally and physically all the time. The trip will suit him. We will see how he runs before we decide big races in the future for him. He needs to win well for us to think about the Kentucky Derby."

Bin Surour also saddles Enak, the mount of Ted Durcan, while Frozen Power and Siyaadah, both trained by new Godolphin trainer Mahmoud Al Zarouni, add depth to the Godolphin challenge. Emirati jockey Ahmad Ajtebi rides turf winner Frozen Power while 2009 Dubai World Cup winning jockey Aaron Gryder partners Siyaadah, the star of the UAE 1,000 Guineas.

Musir and Raihana are both bred in Australia by Shaikh Mohammad Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum and are without doubt open to improvement on their Carnival successes.

Notable runners

South African trainer Mike de Kock knows a thing or two about training a Derby winner, having won the race on five occasions, and was bullish about adding to that number.

"He is a quality individual and probably the most classy three year-old we have campaigned in Dubai," he said, "He may not be as robust as an Asiatic Boy which is why we missed Super Thursday.

"He has a lot of speed but I think he will stay the trip and Christophe is adamant he will.

"Raihana is a Classic winner and the other pair will be staying on but Musir is the main hope."

Other notable runners include the Saudi Arabian hope Della Barba, who chased home Mendip last time and UAE debutante Makaanah also from the Kingdom. Both runners are prepared by American trainer Jerry Barton, who sampled success at the meeting last year with Big City Man in the Golden Shaheen Sprint.

Scandinavia's Timely Jazz was a runner-up in a turf while Uncle Tom re-opposes after being dealt back-to-back defeats by Mendip.

Battle lines drawn

Mendip leads the charge as Godolphin runners are out in force to quell competition from Musir and Raihana

GN Selections: 1. Musir, 2. Mendip. 3. Raihana. Upset: Siyaadah