Déjà vu in Balanchine for Al Raihe's First City

Preview: UAE, Friday 1.55pm GMT, live on ATR and RUK

Meydan: Balanchine Stakes (Group 2 ) 1m1f, turf, 3yo+ fillies & mares

FIRST CITY beat six of her ten rivals here in the Cape Verdi Stakes four weeks ago and the ex-David Simock-trained filly will attempt to repeat the feat under a penalty.

The six-year-old was having her first start for local champion trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe on that occasion and headed the Mike de Kock-trained Mahbooba (Christophe Soumillon) in the dying strides.

Jockey Royston Ffrench is looking forward to getting First City back on the course and said: "Obviously we were delighted with that win first time and she will not mind the extra furlong as she was placed at Epsom over a mile and one. 

"The penalty makes things harder but she is in good form and should have benefitted from that run fitness-wise."

De Kock's Mahbooba won over this course and distance on the first night of the 2012 Carnival and was forced to make her own running when beaten in the Cape Verdi. The South African trainer is seeking a fifth win in the race and won it last year with River Jetez, who beat stable companion and Cape Verdit third Reem (Kevin Shea).

Their trainer sounds quite bullish, saying: "I knew First City was the big danger last time but we are getting weight this time over a trip which suits both mine more than the mile.

"Mahbooba won nicely over this course and distance first time and stays much further, while Reem just seems far better on turf now and also stays well.

"I expect them both to run big races but preference would have to be for Mahbooba, who must be our best chance of the weekend."

Hurricane Havoc (Jim Bolger/Kevin Manning), Al Sharood  (Doug Watson/Tadhg O'Shea), Marvada (Ken Condon/Silvestre De Sousa) and Rhythm Of Light (Tom Dascombe/Kieren Fallon) followed Reem home in the Cape Verdi and it is hard to see why they should reverse form with the three main protagonists.

The unknown quantity is Godolphin's Dysphonia, who will be having her first start for Saeed Bin Suroor after finishing third in Group 1 company when last seen in her native Australia in October.

Frankie Dettori rides for the trainer, who continues in great form, and said: "She is working well and is a nice new recruit for us. She will certainly improve for the run but this is the ideal chance to get her on the track."