Two former Australian gallopers and an Australian-trained American import will make their maiden appearances in Dubai at Meydan this week.
Dysphonia and Scarf, previously trained by Peter Snowden, have joined Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin team and are now trained by Saeed bin Suroor.
On Friday night, the Group 1 placed Dysphonia will tackle the Group 2 Balanchine (1800m) on the turf track, where she comes up against another former Australian in Reem.
The Lonhro mare had 23 starts in Australia for seven wins, including two Listed races – the Festival Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill, as well as the Scone Cup (1600m) last May.
At her most recent start, she finished third behind Hurtle Myrtle and Sacred Choice in the Group 1 Myer Classic (1600m) on Derby Day.
She will be ridden by Frankie Dettori, with the barrier draw to be held later today.
Thursday night sees Scarf make his long-awaited debut in the opening event over 1600m.
A horse who has always shown great promise, he won the Listed Winter Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill last July before an impressive second behind Foreteller at his next start.
He raced below par at his first two runs in the early summer, before recording a resounding victory at Sandown at his final race start in Australia on Christmas Eve.
The grey son of Lonhro will be ridden by Silvestre de Sousa and will jump from barrier 6 in a race where Godolphin hold four entries.
Also of interest on Thursday night is the debut in the United Arab Emirates of American Group 1 winner Unusual Suspect, now trained by Cranbourne horseman Mick Kent.
Unusual Suspect showed talent last spring when he finished hard for sixth in the Caulfield Cup and an unlucky ninth in the Melbourne Cup.
He is aiming at the Group 1 Sheema Classic (2400m) on World Cup night, March 31.
The eight year old will then return to Australia for another shot at the Cups.
He resumes over 2000m and will be ridden by top jockey Ryan Moore.
