Mirdif takes in Dubai heat Michael O'Callaghan has his first runner in Dubai on Thursday when Mirdif contests the Meydan Classic Trial. Third in the Anglesey Stakes to Peace Envoy, the son of Kodiac was last seen finishing fourth in a conditions race at Naas at the beginning of August, John Ryan runs Grey Britain in the seven-furlong contest, Mark Johnston is represented by Masham Star and David Simcock saddles Island Vision. Really Special aims to maintain her unbeaten record in the UAE 1000 Guineas. Saeed bin Suroor's Shamardal filly blitzed her rivals in a trial for this race three weeks ago and looks like taking a good deal of beating. Bin Suroor also runs Voice Of Truth, while the Godolphin blue will also be carried by Charlie Appleby's Calare, no back number on the form of her Listed win at the Curragh but well beaten behind Really Special in the trial. "Really Special is an unbeaten filly who won the trial for this race well," Bin Suroor told www.godolphin.com. "She is stepping back up to a mile now and is ready to go. She has been working nicely and has the class to run another big race. "Voice Of Truth tries hard in her races but doesn't show a great deal when working in the mornings." Appleby said of Calare: "Hopefully, the experience of running on dirt and the step up in trip will see a bit more improvement from Calare. "Her best run was over a stiff mile with a bit of juice in the ground at the Curragh, and the drop back to a quick seven furlongs in the trial was always going to be hard work for her. She didn't disgrace herself and kept at it after getting outpaced. "I have been pleased with her preparation and she should be thereabouts." Richard Fahey runs both Melesina, a Group Three winner in France, and Rajar, with Mike de Kock's Fursa a likely player after an absence. Earlier on the card, Appleby is persevering with Emotionless in a handicap on dirt. The one-time Classic hope did not appear in love with the surface when only sixth in early January. In the six-furlong handicap, Fahey's Eastern Impact carries top weight taking on plenty of familiar names. Sir Maximilian, David Marnane's Jamesie, Line Of Reason, Watchable, Scrutineer and Solar Flair all go for Britain and Ireland. Several Lincoln entries run in the seven-furlong handicap, with Appleby's Flash Fire and Richard Hannon's Oh This Is Us both prominent in ante-post lists. "His work before he went out had been great and he seems to be really thriving with the weather out there," Hannon told his website. "In what looks a competitive handicap I can see him running a big race. Pat Dobbs rode work on him on the grass last Saturday and couldn't have been happier with him."
