Sheikh Khalifa and his Al Asayl-based trainer Eric Lemartinel may have been out of luck at Sharjah on Saturday but are in fine form. Stable jockey Tadhg O’Shea has opted for Amwaj from the connections’ three runners.

He explained: “She is a lovely filly with an exciting pedigree and is one we really like. She won her debut in style. That was on dirt but the switch to turf should not be an issue.”

Gerald Avranche, aboard Mawahib, looks the yard’s second best. Ernst Oertel saddles two and Richard Mullen has chosen AF Al Sajanjele, also unbeaten after one start, in his case over today’s course and distance.

However, the unknown quantity arrives from Oman in the form of Maisoor who will be a first runner in the UAE for trainer Said Al Badi. His five outings, on dirt in Muscat, have yielded five wins and have been achieved with an aggregate margin of almost 100 lengths.

Meanwhile, the honours were even at Sharjah yesterday when all six races were won by different connections, highlighted by the success of Hakim in the 1700m handicap.

Soon in front, under Pat Dobbs, the Doug Watson-trained Hakim never relinquished his advantage under a perfectly judged ride. Jaci Wickham’s win with Qassam W’Rsan in the concluding 2000m conditions event was special as it was her 100th UAE winner as a trainer.