Walk Of Stars for Mes/dan success

First run in 2014, the Dubai Creek Mile (Listed) has been a key prep for the Al Maktoum Mile, the first major race for dirt milers in the UAE.

- Ed Mamane

Walk Of Stars, not seen since finishing a creditable second behind Two Rivers Over, makes his seasonal debut in today's AED 500,ooo (R2.5m) showpiece at Meydan. He represents Bhupat Seemar, the champion trainer who has a terrific record in the race, winning two of the last three renewals. By Sea The Stars, Walk Of Stars is the highest ranked runner in the nine-runner field and sets the standard on his return from an eight-month break. Desert Wisdom, the mount of Adrie de Vries, can boast smart form at Meydan, winning a Group 3 in March last year. He should enjoy the drop in grade having run well in defeat in many of the top dirt races last season. Sixth behind Al Nefud in last year's Dubai Creek Mile, Desert Wisdom merits respect in an open-looking race. Doug Watson, who saddled his first winner ofthe season at Jebel Ali last Saturday, is two-handed with exciting South American import Atif and the useful Al Tariq, the choice of stable jockey Pat Dobbs. Now eight, Al Tariq has been off the track since causing a minor shock in the Jebel Ali Classic in March. He's a player if he sees out the 1600m, his first run over the distance since joining Watson after starting his career in France. Watson has booked Oscar Chavez to ride Atif, rated 102 and unbeaten in two starts in dirt in Argentina. He is an interesting runner but with doubts over his fitness, off a 14-month break