SHEIKH Hamdan’s three-year-old filly Shahrasal (AUS) ventures beyond 1450m for the first time on her Dubai debut at the non-Carnival meeting scheduled for Meydan on Saturday.  Paul Hanagan gets the mount.

Shahrasal appears to have a clear prefererence for grass over sand.

Mike de Kock entered her into a handicap over 1800m on turf (Race 3), bypassing a feature like the 1000 UAE Guineas Trial on dirt and he explained: “Shahrasal doesn’t seem to like the sand in work but she’s been impressing us on turf and that’s why we picked this handicap for her.  She’s in good form and should see out the trip, she could be competitive here if she doesn’t run out of steam after her rest.”

Four-year-old gelding Journeyman (Johnny Geroudis) will contest the same race as Shahrasal. He’s been battling to find his feet in the UAE and Mike commented: “His form is not inspiring but we’re hoping that the change in distance can bring out his best, he’ll be trying 1800m for the first time.”

Lehaaf (Wayne Smith)  is the other De Kock runner carded to race at this meeting and he’ll be taking his place in Race 5, a handicap on turf over 1400m.

“Lehaaf raced over 1400m twice in South Africa and he won both races. There was a lot to like about his third to Almoonqith last time, he didn’t have the best passage. He should run well, he can earn,” said Mike.