First City and Mahbooba lock horns for the second time at this year's Dubai Carnival in the Balanchine Stakes at Meydan on Friday.
Mahbooba was sent off the long odds-on favourite for the Cape Verdi following a brilliant return to Dubai in early January, but she was beaten a nose by former David Simcock inmate First City, making her debut for Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
First City will this time have to give 3lb to her major rival, which jockey Royston Ffrench admits, will make life difficult.
Ffrench said: "The extra 200m [furlong] should not be a problem as she has been placed over 1800m [nine furlongs] in England.
"We thought she would run well last time but also expected her to improve from the run so hopefully she can build on that win, but she has to give weight away this time which makes the task harder obviously."
Mahbooba's trainer Mike de Kock believes the step up in distance will help his charge.
The South African handler also saddles Reem, second in this race 12 months ago.
The trainer said: "We were delighted with Mahbooba's first run back when she won impressively, but the Cape Verdi really did not go her way with no pace and she had to try to make the running.
"The extra 200m in the Balanchine will definitely suit her and she should go very close, although First City is a good filly.
"Reem seems better on turf these days and hopefully she will run a big race as well."
Godolphin rely on local debutante Dysphonia, trained by Saeed bin Suroor.
He said: "She is a mare we like and has been working very well. Whatever she achieves on Friday, there should be more to come as she will certainly improve for the run."
Mick Channon saddles Fanditha in the Group Two contest, while Tom Dascombe is represented by Rhythm Of Light.
Jim Bolger's Hurricane Havoc and the Ken Condon-trained Marvada run for Ireland.
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Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
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Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
if you go
The flights
Emirates flies to Delhi with fares starting from around Dh760 return, while Etihad fares cost about Dh783 return. From Delhi, there are connecting flights to Lucknow.
Where to stay
It is advisable to stay in Lucknow and make a day trip to Kannauj. A stay at the Lebua Lucknow hotel, a traditional Lucknowi mansion, is recommended. Prices start from Dh300 per night (excluding taxes).
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
