Shamardal, the top two-year-old in Britain last year, puts his Kentucky Derby credentials on the line on World Cup night at Nad al Sheba on Saturday. The colt is 11-10 favourite for the $2 million United Arab Emirates Derby and victory on his debut on dirt would put Shamardal firmly on target for Churchill Downs in May. The Kentucky Derby is one of the few top races round the globe to have escaped the Godolphin team of Sheikh Mohammed and they are keen to set the record straight.
Shamardal is already among the 8-1 co-favourites though he could be re-routed to the Newmarket 2,000 Guineas, raced on turf, if he fails to handle the dirt on Saturday.
Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said: "We are running Shamardal in the UAE Derby on dirt because the Kentucky Derby is a live option.
"The horse has trained very well on the surface but obviously we have to see him race on it before we can make any definite plans."
The UAE Derby is one of six supporting races on Saturday night's $15.25 million programme which culminates in the $6 million Dubai World Cup, the sport's richest race.
Godolphin runner Grand Hombre, fourth in 2004, bruised a foot earlier in the week and may miss the race, bringing the field down to 12.
US trained horses head the betting in London with Roses in May, the 6-4 favourite, followed by Congrats at 9-2 and Lundy's Liability at 7-1.
Congrats, trained by Dick Mandella who won the 2004 race with Pleasantly Perfect, has had his odds trimmed from 5-1 after Wednesday's draw.
The horse will come out of stall seven, the same as Pleasantly Perfect 12 months ago, but Mandella said: "I believe more in good luck and bad luck than in good draws and bad draws."
London betting: 6-4 Roses in May, 9-2 Congrats, 7-1 Lundy's Liability, Yard-Arm, Criquitin, 12-1 Adjudi Mitsuo, 16-1 and upwards, others.