South African trainer Mike de Kock is hoping Journeyman can give him a victorious end to 2014 at Meydan tonight.
Journeyman competes in the fourth race of the six-race card, a 1,400 metres handicap, which is worth Dh140,000, and De Kock expects his charge to go close to the win.
"He had three runs here last season," De Kock said. "He is ready for a race and we want to try him on the dirt with a carnival campaign in mind."
Journeyman will face nine rivals, including two trained by Doug Watson for Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid.
The owner's retained jockey, Dane O'Neill, will ride Marching Time, leaving stable jockey, Pat Dobbs, to partner stable companion, Washaar, who will be making his local debut on dirt.
"Marching Time has been in great form this season and should run another big race," Watson said. "The draw could have been kinder but he is in great form and deserves a bit of luck after three good seconds.
"Washaar has some really good juvenile form but has been off now over a year. Basically, we just need to try him on the dirt so we know how to campaign him looking ahead."
Sheikh Hamdan will also be represented by Mundahesh, to be ridden by Royston Ffrench for trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
Another strong contender is Atlantic Brave under stable jockey Silvestre de Sousa, who rode six winners last weekend.
All six of the horse's wins have been achieved on the dirt at Jebel Ali and he seems prepared for the test on the new Meydan surface.
Bannock had one start for Godolphin at last year's Dubai World Cup Carnival and makes his first start since, having joined Ahmad bin Harmash.
He will serve as the second ride in the UAE for apprentice Louis Steward.
Satish Seemar and Richard Mullen are another duo enjoying a great season and are represented by Double Dealer with stable apprentice, Marc Monaghan, on stablemate Signs In The Sand.
How ever Double Dealer fares, Seemar and Mullen look to hold serious claims in the second race, a 1,400m handicap, with Cross Grain.
At a Jebel Ali last week, Mullen highlighted his mount as a horse to follow and the Meydan race looks a good opportunity.
Similarly, however Watson's runners get on in the feature, his One Man Band looks to hold serious claims in a 1600m handicap on the card with Pat Dobbs aboard.
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Journeyman leads line-up at final Meydan meet of 2014
South African trainer Mike de Kock is hoping Journeyman can give him a victorious end to 2014 at Meydan on Wednesday night.
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