Josephine Gordon breaks new ground with four mounts at Meydan

Josephine Gordon breaks new ground on Saturday when she takes four mounts at Meydan, her first rides in the United Arab Emirates.

Last year's champion apprentice gave up her final two rides at Chelmsford on Thursday to make sure she was able to get to Heathrow in time for her flight to Dubai, with Storm Doris threatening to cause travel havoc.

Gordon is hoping Saturday's experience will stand her in good stead for future mounts at Meydan, possibly on World Cup night.

Of her four mounts, three are on turf, including Muwaary for Mike de Kock in the mile handicap, and she rides Riflescope for leading local trainer Satish Seemar in a 6f handicap. Gordon will also experience the dirt surface when she rides in a 1m2f handicap.

Before departing she said: "My agent Phil Shea contacted an agent in Dubai and they kindly got me four rides out there which is fantastic.

"I've never been to Dubai before and I'm really looking forward to it. There's a lot going on this weekend, with many of the jockeys over there riding here at Lingfield or in Qatar, and the opportunity was there. I've ridden in France a couple of times and in Sweden, but this is a great opportunity."

Gordon, who has recently joined the Hugo Palmer stable, could be in line to ride the trainer's Wall Of Fire in the Group 2 Dubai Gold Cup on World Cup night on March 25.

She added: "Hopefully when people know I have experience of the track out there it may open up other doors in the future."