Trainer Steven Burridge's first foray into Dubai is about to get into full swing in the next couple of weeks.

After the 2010 champion trainer saddles twelve runners at Kranji over the weekend, his mind will then switch to a far-flung place he is venturing to for the first time in his eight years of training – Dubai.

Dark Matter, Captain Obvious, Ip Man and Apache Crown travelled to the Middle–Eastern country on December 22 in search of the rick pickings at the annual Dubai World Cup Carnival which got underway last Thursday.

After studying the programme for the three-month long carnival that culminates in the famous World Cup meeting on March 31, Burridge, whose furthest offshore foray has up to now been limited to his former hunting ground in Malaysia, has picked out two Restricted races over 1400m at Meydan to launch his new mission.

“Dark Matter and Apache Crown will trial this Saturday. If they go well, then they may race on Friday or Saturday week,” said Burridge referring to the January 20 and 21 race meetings respectively.

“I may fly there either on Tuesday or Wednesday. It all depends on how they go in their trials.

“There were no races available for Captain Obvious and he may have to wait a bit. As for Ip Man, he was a bit light and has taken a little longer to settle there but he's come on a bit since.”

Travelling foreman cum senior track rider Mick Lockett and Burridge's wife Julie travelled with the quartet. Julie rode work for a while before heading back to Singapore while Lockett stayed on to continue their preparation.

“Their work was a little disrupted as it was their first time travelling, but they have picked up on their game since,” said Burridge who finished fourth in last year's premiership.

“Mick keeps me updated how they are coming along and the report has been pretty good at this stage.

“They did some pacework and gallop yesterday (Wednesday) morning. But like I said before, if they can't measure up there, they are coming home.”

Burridge said he would seek the services of the jockeys available there for the rides aboard four-time winner Dark Matter and two-time winner Apache Crown.

“I'll get the jockeys riding there, but I haven't decided who yet,” said Burridge. “Benny Woodworth and Oscar Chavez may head there later.”

“It's my first time going to Dubai. I need to get there first to find my bearings.”

One place Burridge does not need a compass to find its way around is Malaysia where he recently came from during the Penang Gold Cup meeting on Christmas Day.

The former Kuala Lumpur-based assistant trainer (to Tan Soo Beng) took Hint and Irish Coffee to Penang, but unlike the previous year when he landed the top prize in the Gold Cup with Risky Business, things did not quite go his way this time, but he still drew some positives from the cross-border assault.

“I didn't expect Irish Coffee to do so well but he ran the best of the two,” said Burridge of the Restricted Maiden winner who surprisingly ran a fighting second to Good Baby in the Malaysian 2011 Magic Millions Classic.

“Hint on the other hand pulled up scratchy after the race. Both horses are still in quarantine and will go for a good rest after that.”