The sprinting game is not everyone's cup of tea, but the UAE veteran showed he still has the heart when battling hard under jockey Gary Hind to hold off Magic Master, trained by South African Brian, for a length and a half victory over a straight five furlongs.

Stable companion Clifden, ridden by Darragh O'Donohoe was one and a quarter lengths back in third with another veteran UAE campaigner, Conceal, securing fourth place a quarter of a length further behind.

"He's unbelievable," said winning jockey Gary Hind, who was reprising the success he had with Conflict in the Jebel Ali Mile on February 20. "He's got a massive heart and he just gives massive amounts.

"I got a good start and I was actually sitting off the pace stalking the leader. But when I asked him to go he just took off."

Commenting on the horses' chances in the Golden Shaheen, Hind, a former champion jockey in the UAE said: "If he takes his place in the race he's going to give his best. Maybe, maybe it might not be good enough but for sure he'll run a big race."

Winning trainer Al Kurdi said he felt Conflict was in good condition at this stage of his preparation for the Dubai World Cup meeting. "I'm very pleased with him, he's done everything right," said the former Syrian Derby winner.

"The Golden Shaheen is a very tough race but if he gets a strong pace, and things work out, he should run a big race."

Former champion trainer Erwan Charpy moved into joint fourth place on the 2003-2004 championship table with a double.

Charpy won the Jebel Al Racecourse handicap for Purebred Arabians with Danidor, a winner at this course in February, and added his second when Peladito was a very smart winner of the Ghadi International Group of Companies handicap over 1400m.

Australia ace Kerrin McEvoy picked up his fifth winner of the season when partnering Danidor to a two-length victory over Agrab Al Nas in the 1,600-metre event.

Charpy's retained rider Seb Sanders did the honours on Argentine-bred Peladito, with the Al Kurdi pair of My Pleasure and Blazing Ability taking second and third a close finish.

First season trainer Doug Watson also helped himself to a double with Albadou and the very consistent Media Story.

Results

Race 1. Jebel Ali Racecourse
Purebred Arabians 4yo+ rated 80-95 (1600m) Dirt:
1. Danidor (trained by E Charpy) ridden by K McEvoy; 2. Agrab al Bas (J Frazier Jr) S Chin; 3. Kardaillan (G Duffield) W Supple.
Distances: 2length, 4.75.
Time: 1:47.32secs.

Race 2. Al Shafar Group of Companies Thoroughbreds 4yo+ Maiden (1800m) dirt:
1. Le Goutillon (S Seemar) T Durcan; 2. Pride of Dubai (A Selvaratnam) M Williamson; 3. Statemann (S Seemar) K McEvoy.
Distances: 1.75length, 0.25.
Time: 1:51.37secs.

Race 3. Ghadi International Group of Companies Thoroughbreds 4yo+ rated 50-75 (1400m) dirt:
1. Peladito (E Charpy) S Sanders; 2. My Pleasure (M al Kurdi) J Carroll; 3. Blazing Ability (M Al Kurdi) G Hind.
Distances: 0.75length, 1.5.
Time: 1:24.99secs.

Race 4. National Bank of Dubai
Thoroughbreds 3yo+ rated 45-85 (1950m) Dirt:
1. Albadou (D Watson) S O'Gorman; 2. Temeraire (M Al Kurdi) A Whelan; 3. Dramatic Edge (M al Kurdi) G Hind.
Distances: 3.75length, 1.25.
Time: 1:58.16secs.

Race 5. Shadwell Jebel Ali Sprint (Listed) Thoroughbreds 3yo+ (1000m) Dirt:
1. Conflict (M Al Kurdi) G Hind; 2. Magic Master (B Wild) W Marwing; 3. Clifden (M al Kurdi) D O'Donohoe.
Distances: 1.5length, 1.25.
Time: 0:58.37secs.

Race 6. Arenco A.A. Almoosa
Thoroughbreds 3yo+ rated 45-85 (1950m) Dirt:
1. Media Story (D Watson) W Supple; 2. Kriskova (E Charpy) S Sanders; 3. Attentive (S Seemar) K McEvoy.
Distances: 0.75length, 2.25.
Time: 1:58.02secs.

Race 7. Sheikh Hamdan Emirates Horse Breeders Society Cup
Purebred Arabians 4yo+ UAE bred (1800m) dirt:
1. Al Mufaddal (J Frazier) W Supple; 2. Marinette (J Peromingo) S Chin; 3. Al Nab'A (J Peromingo) R Mullen;4. Moutawaj (J Frazier0 D Naik.
Distances: 3.25length, 6.
Time: 2:04.35secs.