With only next week’s Super Thursday meeting, the dress rehearsal for Dubai World Cup night left before the big night itself, it was not surprising Nad Al Sheba was a lot quieter than normal for a Saturday morning.

However, those who did drag themselves out of bed were able to see Richard Hills put Dubai Sheema Classic hopeful Youmzain (pictured) through his paces on the turf. He may run on Thursday, as could Dubai Duty Free aspirant Vodka who was also spotted on the track.

Valedictum, with a 2009 Dubai International Racing Carnival win to his name already, could fly the Australian flag both on Thursday and the big night, while Saudi Arabia’s Big City Man is another who could be seen on both nights. Both were out for exercise.

Apart from that handful, it was mainly horses from the stables of South African trainers Mike De Kock and Herman Brown in action and Johnny Murtagh was on De Kock’s Asiatic Boy who will bid to go one better than his second in last year’s Dubai World Cup.

Murtagh also rode Honour Devil, another Dubai World Cup hopeful, as well as Imbongi who worked with Dubai Sheema Classic probable Eagle Mountain on the turf.

Ryan Moore handled Brown’s King’s Gambit who also utilised the grass, while the same trainer’s Redding Colliery, a UAE Derby contender, worked well on the dirt, with this striking grey son of Mineshaft appearing to be thriving at the right time.

Picture courtesy of Dubai Racing Club/Neville Hopwood