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Godolphin trainer Saeed Bin Suroor could capture a record ninth G2 Al Maktoum Challenge Round II victory on Thursday as he saddles four of the 12 declared runners in the $US250,000 contest.

The fifth meeting of the 2013 Dubai World Cup Carnival looks the best of the year so far with the middle rounds of the Al Maktoum Challenge providing the highlights.

Also on the seven race card is the first classic of the season, the UAE 1000 Guineas.

Bin Suroor’s runners in the 1900m feature include last year’s winner Mendip who goes to post under Kieren Fallon as he did 12 months ago.

Silvestre De Sousa rides Hunter’s Light on whom he was a G1 winner in Italy last November.

William Buick is on Alpha, who dead-heated in year’s G1 Travers Stakes, and Prince Bishop under Ryan Moore completes the trainer’s quartet.

“They are four nice horses,” said Bin Suroor. “This is the obvious race to start them in and Mendip has been given a nice break over the summer with this race in mind as he tries to win it again.

“Prince Bishop has been a bit disappointing when tried in these good races but conditions are ideal for him.

"Hunter’s Light has been working well at Al Quoz and Alpha is improving with each gallop but those two may just need the run more than the other pair.”

Fellow Godolphin handler Mahmoud Al Zarooni relies on Saint Baudolino, who will be having his first start for the yard.

He was runner-up in last year’s French Derby and was also a Group 2 winner in France when trained by Andre Fabre.

South African Mike De Kock saddles last week's winner Mushreq and Await The Dawn who will be having his first start for the trainer since Dubai World Cup night last season.

De Kock said: “Mushreq deserved that win last week as things had not gone to plan in his first two starts. I think he will be fine on the surface and he deserves this step up in class.

“Await The Dawn is a horse we really like and this has been the first target to get him back on the track. He works well on the all-weather so should handle it but he will certainly improve for the run.”

Al Zarooni won the UAE 1000 Guineas last year with Gamilati who had previously won the trial race. The trainer will be hoping Music Chart can emulate her stable companion having won the trial three weeks ago from the Bin Suroor-trained Shuruq.

De Kock supplies the main danger in the shape of Emotif, winner of her only start but forced to miss the trial after a setback.