Dubai update

GRADE 1 star Desert Encounter and talented stable-mate Spanish Mission are scheduled to fly next week to Dubai where they have World Cup Carnival assignments.

Desert Encounter was last seen out in mid-October when winning the Canadian International Stakes at Woodbine for the second year on the trot. It was the evergreen gelding’s fourth successive victory – all of them coming in Group or Grade contests.

The four-year-old Spanish Mission returns at Meydan after last running in – and winning – a very valuable invitational race in September at Belmont Park.

Trainer David Simcock said: “Spanish Mission and Desert Encounter fly out to Dubai next Wednesday.

“Desert Encounter has a prep run on the 20th – which he’s very likely to need. It’s a 10-furlong Group 3 (the Dubai Millennium Stakes), which we are using as a prep for the (Gr 2) City of Gold on Super Saturday (March 7).

“Spanish Mission runs in the Nad Al Sheba Trophy on February 27 – a Group 3 over a mile and six furlongs. That’s his prep for the Dubai Gold Cup (March 28).”

This Thursday (Feb 6) will also see the Simcock team in action at Meydan with Woven contesting the first division of a seven-furlong handicap for horses rated 90 to 108.

The four-year-old came sixth of 16 on his initial run in Dubai over six furlongs on January 6.

David said: “Woven ran very well on his first start and actually finished second the race on his side. Hopefully he’ll run very well on Thursday.”

Harry Bentley takes the ride on Woven, who is drawn in stall one of ten.