Charlie Appleby is convinced that Naval Power will come on for the run when he makes his three-year-old debut in the Jumeirah Classic at Meydan on Friday.
The Teofilo colt had won his first four juvenile starts for Appleby last season, including impressive Listed victories in the Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot and the Ascendant Stakes at Haydock Park.
Naval Power defeated Waiting All Night at Ascot by more than six lengths before beating Dancing Magic by just over a length at Haydock.
Butr his last start was a major disappointment as he finished a well-beaten sixth on his final start of 2022 in the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.
The colt burst a blood vessel in the October defeat, but he will be a hot favourite to make a successful return to action in Dubai.
"Naval Power showed a progressive profile as a two-year-old before disappointing in the Dewhurst Stakes, when he produced an unsatisfactory scope afterwards," C Appleby told the Godolphin website.
"I have been pleased with his preparation but there will be improvement to come for the run. We are looking at giving him the one start in Dubai before looking at some of the Classic trials in the UK."
Appleby will also saddle Highbank and One Nation in the Jumeirah Classic.
Highbank made a promising Dubai debut when beaten half a length into third in the Jumeirah Classic Trial three weeks ago, while One Nation finished third in Newmarket nursery in October.
Appleby added: "We were very pleased with Highbank's run in the trial, when he settled well and did everything the right way round. He has come on for that run and we are hoping that he can progress into a Jumeirah Derby contender.
"One Nation showed solid form as a juvenile and has done well from two to three. He has a bit to find with a couple of his rivals on ratings but his preparation has gone well and he won't look out of place in the field."
Man Of Promise is also bidding for back-to-back wins in the Dubai Sprint for Appleby.
Last season the six-year-old beat stablemat Lazuli by two-and-a-half lengths before following up in the Group Three Nad Al Sheba Turf Sprint.
This time around Man Of Promise has had a prep run for the Dubai Sprint, having finished second to Lazuli in the Dubai Dash early in the new year.
"Man Of Promise has definitely come forward for his first start of the year and has a good draw in 14," said Appleby.
"Stepping back up to six furlongs will play to his strengths and I feel he is the one they all have to beat."
