Percy And Rocks Head Sheema Cast

Vodafone Derby hero Sir Percy could be set for a titanic clash with Breeders' Cup winner Red Rocks in the 5million Dubai Sheema Classic at Nad Al Sheba in March.

The pair head a stellar list of 200 invites from 19 countries for the fourth International Racing Carnival, which begins on January 18.

Successful in a thrilling renewal of the premier Classic in June, Sir Percy's only subsequent start saw him finish a disappointing seventh in the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket in October.

Red Rocks, meanwhile, shot to prominence at Churchill Downs earlier this month with victory in the Turf under Frankie Dettori.

His trainer Brian Meehan has outlined a potentially globetrotting 2007 schedule for his stable star.

The Galileo colt could take in four Group One contests on three different continents next year ? with his starting point being the Nad Al Sheba showpiece on March 31.

Meehan explained: 'The four obvious events would be the Sheema Classic, the King George, the Arc and then back to the Breeders' Cup.

'We will plan something around that.'

Meehan feels there is more to come from his charge, who progressed from a third-place effort in the St Leger to that glorious triumph in America.

He added: 'Red Rocks has grown up a lot in the last couple of months but is still raw. Next year, I think he is going to go on and improve.

'I kind of felt that there had been huge improvement in him.

'The Leger did him the world of good ? he didn't get the trip but ran a big race.

'The gap between that and the Breeders' Cup was ideal. He had a little break after the Leger and then he was back on his game.

'When we got there, after the first two days on the track with the horse, certainly we were getting more and more confident.

'By the time we got to race-day, I thought we had a serious chance.'

Red Rocks emerged from his Breeders' exploits in good shape and is enjoying a little break.

'He is grand,' Meehan reported. 'He has done nothing but have a break since he got back.

'We walked him until he got too fresh and now he is jogging.

'He will do that until Christmas and then we will start cantering as soon as the holidays are over, preparing him for the Sheema Classic.'

If Red Rocks lands the lucrative race at Nad Al Sheba, it will be Meehan's second victory at the prestigious World Cup meeting following David Junior's win in the Dubai Duty Free in March.

(C) PA Sport