Jockey Craig Williams says five-time Group One winner Niconero is twice the horse he was 12 months ago ahead of his second crack at the rich Dubai Duty Free at Nad Al Sheba on Sunday morning (AEDT).The David Hayes-trained seven-year-old was a well-beaten 11th to Jay Peg in the 1777m Group One feature last year."Last year he was half the horse he is. But this year he is in much better shape," Williams said."He is happy because he has a travelling companion in Tuesday Joy and that has helped."In t

Jockey Craig Williams says five-time Group One winner Niconero is twice the horse he was 12 months ago ahead of his second crack at the rich Dubai Duty Free at Nad Al Sheba on Sunday morning (AEDT).

The David Hayes-trained seven-year-old was a well-beaten 11th to Jay Peg in the 1777m Group One feature last year.

"Last year he was half the horse he is. But this year he is in much better shape," Williams said.

"He is happy because he has a travelling companion in Tuesday Joy and that has helped.

"In the last 12 months he has done well to win three Group One races. I am happy with the energy he has in his body."

Similarly, trainer Gai Waterhouse has received excellent reports on the progress of four-time Group One winner Tuesday Joy.

"Tuesday Joy travelled incredibly well to Dubai and is now very settled," Waterhouse said.

"She has regained the small amount of weight that she lost when she travelled. I am expecting a big show from her on Saturday (local time) as she is such a professional."

The pair go into the race in career-best form, Niconero scoring at the highest level in the Futurity Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield and the Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington and Tuesday Joy winning the Group Two Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill and the Group One Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.

Dubai has been kind to horses from Australia in recent times with the Tony Vasil-trained Elvstroem claiming the Duty Free in 2005.

From a small representation, Australian-trained runners Benedetti, Smart And Mighty and Valedictum have also tasted success in Dubai.