Our Giant: Grade 1 winner ready for debut for Mike de Kock in Dubai

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De Kock and Godolphin set to clash on Thursday

DUBAI Carnival powerhouses Godolphin and Mike De Kock look set to go head-to-head yet again in Thursday's Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint, the 6f feature of the fourth Meydan meeting.

Originally a turf race when introduced to the UAE schedule in 2000, it was switched to dirt in 2004 and, this year, will be contested on the Tapeta for the first time.

De Kock, who scored in 2008 with Asiatic Boy, is set to unleash the versatile Group 1 winner Our Giant, having his first start for the yard.

However, he faces a potentially stern rival in Godolphin's Gayego, a Grade 1 winner on Pro-Ride in the US before getting involved in a blanket finish to the Breeders' Cup Sprint.

British-trained representatives could include War Artist (James Eustace) and Strike The Deal (Jeremy Noseda), while opening-night winner Sir Gerry (John Best) is in line for his third run in three weeks.

De Kock has yet to win is the UAE 1,000 Guineas but Raihana willbe well fancied to rectify that omission in the first Classic of the season on the same card.

Six-time winner Saeed Bin Suroor introduces Ishitaki, a Grade 1 winner in her native Argentina, while last year's winning trainer Jerry Barton saddles Chilean filly Mensajera De La Luz.

Other well-known names set to feature elsewhere on Thursday's card include Irish Derby runner-up Golden Sword plus carnival regulars Mourilyan and Quijano, set to clash in the 1m4f turf handicap.