Alexandros claims Rashidiya

Both the Godolphin team and South African trainer Mike de Kock were in treble form at Meydan's second meeting, kindly sponsored by DUBAL, as the 2010 Dubai International Racing Carnival introduced turf racing.

The Godolphin trio were headed by Alexandros who won the 1800m Group Three Al Rashidiya, the first turf race on the world's most modern racecourse, under a delighted Frankie Dettori.

Dettori then partnered their Age of Reason to win the 2800m turf handicap in which he produced the horse to lead right on the line and maintain their unbeaten record on grass races at Meydan.

Dettori said: "It is a great track (the turf) and I was really impressed with the conditions it is in and especially the sweeping bends. Alexandros likes to get his toe in and he has handled it well. He is a nice horse with some very good form in the book. Hopefully he can improve from that, while Age of Reason is tough and a real credit to the whole team."

Earlier Ted Durcan had initiated Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor's treble by winning the 1200m Tapeta handicap on Global City who, like Age of Reason, only led on the line.

The UAE 2000 Guineas will be next on the agenda for Mike de Kock's Musir who defied a Group One penalty to win the 1400m trial race for the first colts' classic under Christophe Soumillon. De Kock has taken this race with subsequent classic winners Asiatic Boy and Honour Devil in recent years – both in the same colours as Munir, those of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum.

De Kock said: "This horse was Champion Juvenile at home last season and is one we have high hopes for. We will go to the Guineas with hope now."

The trainer completed a rapid double with Kevin Shea partnering Mr Brock to victory in the 1900m Tapeta handicap. It was a second UAE win for the much travelled horse who won at Abu Dhabi last year. Shea said: "He is a grand old campaigner and always runs his race."

Shea completed his own double and the trainer's treble by winning the concluding 2000m Tapeta handicap on King of Rome.

Richard Hills and Musabah Al Muhairi combined with Mutheeb to win the 1400m Tapeta handicap in great style from Jeremy Noseda's Stoic. A close fifth last week, Mutheeb was always travelling strongly and Hills said: "He is an ideal Carnival horse with not many races to his name. Hopefully there is more to come."

The opening race, a 1600m Tapeta handicap, was won in style by Al Arab, representing Brazilian trainer Antonio Cintra Pereira and jockey Waldorimo Blandi.