Godolphin's hope Grand Hombre was given a 50-50 chance despite the odds heavily in favour of US runners Pleasantly Perfect and Medaglia d'Oro for the US$ 6 million Dubai World Cup.

Speaking to a section of the media during the Godolphin's open media morning at the stable's headquarters in Al Quoz, General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence, said Grand Hombre had a 50-50 chance in Saturday's Dubai World Cup.

Sheikh Mohammed also predicted a strong performance by Godolphin horses in the future. "We have some very good, well-bred two-year olds. I think the next year will be even better," he said.

Sheikh Mohammed, along with Godolphin's Racing manager Simon Crisford and Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor unveiled to the media some of Godolphin's top horses including their Dubai World Cup day runners Grand Hombre, Refuse To Bend, Lunar Sovereign and Inamorato.

Commenting on the Carnival which was introduced this year Sheikh Mohammed said, "We started with the Dubai World Cup and then we thought of the Dubai International Racing Carnival which has been a success. It means that people - owners and trainers - and horses come here and compete".

"It is a great pleasure to see good horses competing against each other in Dubai. The weather is wonderful all winter and horses from around the world come here," Sheikh Mohammed said.

"Horses should move around and not just stay and race at home. They can travel here where the prize-money is very good which is excellent for the owners and trainers," he added.

"Many of the trainers and owners from Europe who did not come this year have already started to make arrangements to come next year. And that to me is a great start," Sheikh Mohammed said.

In response to a question on which race he would like to win, Sheikh Mohammed said, "If we have the right horse, then the Kentucky Derby would be a good race to win - we will keep aiming for that one."

"The Melbourne Cup is very protected but we will still keep trying," he said, apparently referring to the strong hold by Australian horses over the 3200 km race.

A total of 50 Godolphin horses were on view yesterday with all but four of them doing a canter on the dirt tracks at the Al Quoz Stables.