The Group 2 Zabeel Mile turf race is the official feature of Thursday's eighth Dubai World Cup Carnival meeting and Godolphin's Safety Check attempts to become the first horse to win it twice.

Sharing the spotlight on the Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group card will be 2015 Dubai World Cup runner-up California Chrome as he prepares for his second tilt at the world's richest race in the 2000m Trans Gulf Electromechanical Trophy. Interestingly this is the same race that Curlin used to prep for his 2008 Dubai World Cup success although this was on the dirt of the old Nad Al Sheba Racecourse.

In the evening's feature race the Charlie Appleby-trained Safety Check will attempt a defence of his Zabeel Mile title under a penalty for winning the 1400m Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort in January. A three-time winner at the 2015 Dubai World Cup Carnival Safety Check's connections are seeking five consecutive victories for the horse at Meydan having raced twice without joy in the UK over the summer.

Regular jockey William Buick is again in the saddle and bids for a fourth win on Appleby's charge.

"We thought Safety Check was a better horse this year as he won the Al Fahidi Fort well" said trainer Appleby. "He has pleased us since that win and seems in great form.

"The 1600m is as far as he wants to go but the trip is not a problem around Meydan as he showed winning the Zabeel Mile last year. The style of racing really suits him at Meydan and he looks to have a major chance.

"Hopefully he is the one to beat."

When winning this year's Al Fahidi Fort Safety Check was chased home by Harry's Son representing South Africa and trainer Paul Lafferty. A 1600m Grade 1 winner as a juvenile in South Africa the extra 200m here looks certain to suit and better off the weights this time he looks capable of at least getting closer to the Godolphin runner. "We were very pleased with that effort (in the Al Fahidi Fort)" said Lafferty. "It was his first start since March and he has certainly benefitted from it.

"He stays 1600m well and we are hoping for a big run."

Fellow South African Mike de Kock is the most successful trainer in the race which was first staged in 2007 with three previous winners. He saddles two this time with Johann Strauss who was fourth last year and the choice of jockey Christophe Soumillon joined in the field by Zahee the mount of Wayne Smith.

Johan Strauss is making his seasonal debut whereas Zahee was second on his most recent start in Abu Dhabi's HH The President's Cup just as Johann Strauss was last year before contesting this.

"It looks a good renewal but both ours are fit and well" said De Kock. "Zahee was much better last time having disappointed on his return whereas Johann Strauss is very talented but has not been straightforward to train."

Zahee just failed to catch Ghaamer in Abu Dhabi having finished last behind the same rival on his seasonal return.

Trained by Ali Rashid Al Raihe for Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance Ghaamer was well beaten by Safety Check in the Al Fahidi Fort.