Maktoum Challenge highlights Dubai Carnival opener

Former Godolphin colorbearer MY INDY (Arg) (Indygo Shiner), an impressive

winner of the Maktoum Challenge Rounds 1 and 2 in 2009, hopes to recapture past

glory with new trainer Mubarak bin Shafya. The Argentinean Group 2 victor has

been sidelined since trailing home as the defending champion in this race last

year.

South African trainer Mike de Kock, a perennial force at the Carnival, has

three engaged in the Maktoum Challenge Round 1 -- MR BROCK (Fort Wood), who

performed well on the Tapeta here last season before finishing eighth in the

World Cup; KING OF ROME (Montjeu [Ire]), sidelined since early March; and multiple

Group 2 hero IMBONGI (Russian Revival).

Other leading Maktoum Challenge entrants include Group 2-placed English

stakes scorer MABAIT (Kyllachy) from the Luca Cumani yard and Dubai veteran

GREEN COAST (Green Desert), runner-up in the 2010 Godolphin Mile (UAE-G2) over

this course and distance.

Also on Thursday's program, fillies will contest an about seven-furlong

conditions race dubbed the U.A.E. One Thousand Guineas Trial. Among the top

contenders are South African Group 1 heroines MAHBOOBA (Galileo [Ire]) and

CHOCOLICIOUS (Kahal [GB]), Argentinean Group 1 victress QUICK VAL (Val Royal

[Fr]), Australian import REEM (Galileo [Ire]) and the bin Suroor duo of NAJOUM (Giant's Causeway) and ABTASAAMAH

(Distorted Humor).

An about 1 3/8-mile handicap on the Tapeta will feature MAN OF IRON (Giant's

Causeway), who has gone winless since garnering the 2009 Breeders' Cup Marathon.