MERHEE, Final Button and Red Duke (yellow cap, photo) will be tried on dirt at Jebel Ali in Dubai on Friday afternoon. Mike has found suitable races for them as the 2014 Carnival is in its final weeks and options at Meydan have run out. Pat Cosgrave gets a leg up on all three.

Merhee (Race 3, 1000m) has looked like a horse with the ability to win in Dubai and Mike said: “We’ll be fitting him with cheek pieces and we’re hoping he produces a genuine effort. He should make the frame if he runs to his ability, but we’ll have to beat Druba Selvaratnam’s runner (Sholaan), who is in top form and won twice at this course recently.”

Final Button (Race 4, 1400m), produced his best ever effort in the UAE when beaten just two lengths into third over 1400m on turf at Meydan in February, but he has been disappointing on the whole and Mike said: “Perhaps the dirt will make a difference, his work has been good.”

Red Duke came with a late rattle to win a handicap over a mile on turf at Meydan a few weeks ago and Mike doesn’t foresee any problems with the 1800m of Race 6, which closes the day’s racing. “Red Duke could fight it out if he acts on this track,” he commented.