This is the opening meeting of the 2017 Dubai Carnival and the first race on Turf since racing resumed in early November. Desert God has won his last nine races in India, most of them local Group 1's. David Allen was on board for four of those victories and renews his association with the five-year-old. Champion UAE trainer Doug Watson has been carrying all before him at the early fixtures and completed a four-timer at the last meeting. He has two entries here and stable jockey Pat Dobbs is on board Shamaal Nibras, who arrives in fine form having won at Abu Dhabi in November then finished runner-up in a Listed contest there. Jim Crowley has his first ride of the year here and though Zamaam was a long way behind in that former event he probably needed the run. Carbon Dating has won his last two at Abu Dhabi in impressive fashion and is well worth a try at this higher grade as is Good Trip, a dual winner for Godolphin in the UK and a comfortable winner on his first start over this trip at Jebel Ali's pre-Christmas meeting. Rio Tigre raced four times at last year's Carnival and though he didn't win he was up against much stiffer opposition. Golden Wood was consistent without looking anything special in France so the vote goes to EMIRATES FLYER. Saeed Bin Suroor's charge reappeared in 2015 with a good run in a Group 2 and though not seen since finishing a close second to subsequent Godolphin Mile winner One Man Band, now rated 117, here a year ago he goes well fresh and can make a successful reappearance despite racing over a longer trip.
Shamaal Nibras (USA) (9-0) 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Championship (9-0) at Abu Dhabi 1m gd in Dec.
Emirates Flyer 6-1 (9-1) 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind One Man Band (9-4) at Meydan 1m 1f hcp fst in Jan.
Rio Tigre (IRE) (9-0) 8th of 0, 6 1/2l behind Sheikhzayedroad (9-0) at Meydan 1m 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Mar.
Golden Wood (FR) (8-12) 4th of 8, 9 1/4l behind Chiverny (9-5) at Bordeaux Le Bouscat 1m 1f stks sft in Nov.
Desert God (IND) 1-3fav (9-0) won at Pune 1m 6f Grp 1 gd in Sep beating Colombiana (9-0) by 7 3/4l, 7 ran.
Tempus Temporis (USA) (9-2) last of 12, dist behind Good Trip (8-11) at Jebel Ali 1m stks fst in Dec.
Good Trip (IRE) (8-11) won at Jebel Ali 1m stks fst in Dec beating Sharpalo (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Zamaam 25-1 (8-9) 8th of 12, 13 3/4l behind Tried And True (8-6) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Dec.
Carbon Dating (IRE) (9-1) won at Abu Dhabi 1m 4f hcp gd in Dec beating Mustahdaf (8-11) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Zain Eagle 20-1 (8-8) last of 12, 20 3/4l behind Tried And True (8-6) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp fst in Dec.
Zambucca (SAF) (9-0) 7th of 14, 6 3/4l behind Championship (9-0) at Abu Dhabi 1m gd in Dec.
