Kathy O'Hara with local trainer Masabah Al Muhairi

Star Sydney apprentice Kathy O'Hara has enjoyed a day of local sightseeing around Dubai in the lead up to the final meeting of the International Apprentice Challenge to be held in the early hours of Monday morning (Australian time).

O'Hara joined kiwi claimer Buddy Lammas and South African apprentice Randal Simons on a tour with local rider Ahmed Ajtebi and former top Australian jumps jockey and Dubai resident Mick Patton.

The Sydney based rider enjoyed the day and met some friendly locals - holding a falcon and a camel during the day.

"Everyone had a really great day," Patton told The Virtual FormGuide. "Kathy has already made a number of fans since winning the first race of the series and she is hoping for more success on Sunday night."

O'Hara is one of 14 apprentices from around the world currently in Dubai to take part in the series. The final leg of the series, to be held at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Centre, will decide which apprentice wins the title.

Locals feel O'Hara has an undeniable chance of winning one of the two races on the night - a race restricted to purebred Arabian horses.

Kathy gets up close with a falcon

Apprentices from countries including Japan, Macau, New Zealand, Singapore, Zimbabwe

O'Hara will ride Muthaaber for owner Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum and trainer Gillian Duffield in the third race, while her final ride in the series will be aboard Khalid Mohammed Juma Al Rahahoomi's Pony Expres Hipolyte in the fifth race. The second horse, a French bred, is trained by Anthony Manuel.

Muthaaber is the horse to beat according to Patton in the third race. The four-year-old has built up an impressive record and in eight starts has recorded three wins and four minor placings.

Bred in England, Muthaaber is first up. He last raced on March 13 this year and scored a resounding two length win over 1400 metres.

O'Hara in a saddle of another variety

Pics courtesy of Mick Patton