Racing manager Simon Crisford backed Champions Stakes winner Literato to shine on his Godolphin debut in Saturday's $5million Group One Dubai Duty Free.
The former Jean-Claude Rouget inmate makes his first appearance for Saeed bin Suroor after being switched from the Dubai Sheema Classic as replacement to Ramonti, who is short of fitness.
"Literato has always had plenty of speed, and while the Sheema Classic was an alternative option, particularly with Ramonti not running in the Duty Free, we felt it was better to run Literato over nine furlongs," said Crisford.
"He has actually got enough speed to run over a mile and a half.
"We were quite interested to see if he could run over a mile and a half, but on balance we have opted for the nine-furlong race.
"Ten furlongs is the right trip for him, but nine will also be a good trip.
"A mile and a half would probably test his stamina to a limit, which might be questionable."
Bin Suroor added: "We gave him a break after he won the Group One at Newmarket.
"The nine furlongs will suit him better than a mile and a half but this is a good distance to start him in Dubai and maybe we will go further with him later in the season, maybe a mile and a half.
"But he is ready, working well and he has the class."
Frankie Dettori rides Literato instead of stablemate Creachadoir, the mount of Kerrin McEvoy.
The former Jim Bolger-trained colt was fourth to Literato in the Champion Stakes before finishing second in the Hong Kong Mile in December, with Dettori in the saddle on both occasions.
"It was a difficult choice with Creachadoir, but Literato is ultra consistent," said Dettori.
"He beat Creachadoir in the Champion Stakes so that is what made me lean towards Literato - nevertheless they both have a great chance.
"It is usually the best race of the night, with 16 of the best mile and a quarter to a mile horses in the world, but my horse is a very good horse."
Of Creachadoir, Crisford added: "He is a tough horse and last time he finished a close second in Hong Kong.
"He is stronger and happier than ever and he is going to be a hard race."
The Godolphin duo face stiff competition from the likes of Bolger's Finsceal Beo, French 1000 Guineas winner Darjina, the Mick Channon-trained Majestic Roi and Japanese raider Vodka.
French trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre watched the Princess Zahra Aga Khan's Darjina exercise on the turf track and seemed happy with his charge.
The filly has not been seen since finishing third in the Hong Kong Mile in December but her handler believes she is now a fresher horse.
"She seems well, but she is not a spectacular worker, she does the bare minimum," he reported.
"Her race in Hong Kong came at the end of a long season, and she was a little flat.
"She couldn't get organised at the head of the straight and got going too late.
"I think she's in better condition now. This distance beyond a mile should suit her."
Formerly with Aidan O'Brien, Archipenko scored in Group Two company for Mike De Kock in February.
"He is a nice horse , hopefully capable of a Group One win, but he has had problems," said De Kock.
"He has a great pedigree and is an exciting stallion prospect for South Africa once he has finished racing."
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