ISSUE 11 10 JANUARY 2019
YOUR RACING DESTINATION
CROSS COUNTER
RAVEN'S CORNER
IFTITAH CONTINUES
SET FOR DUBAI GOLD CUP
WINS THE 1200M DUBAWI STAKES
SEEMAR-MULLEN HOT STREAK AT AL AIN
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CROSS COUNTER MELBOURNE CUP HERO CROSS COUNTER SET FOR DUBAI GOLD CUP ON MEYDAN'S BIG NIGHT
HEAVY METAL HEAVY METAL TO MAKE SOME NOISE AT MEYDAN
MEYDAN, THURSDAY RAVEN'S CORNER SILENCES DOUBTERS IN DUBAWI
BAHRAIN FAVOURITE KUHEILAAN AAFAS WINS TOP RACE
MEYDAN, SATURDAY MOSHAHER'S MONSTROUS DEBUT TOPS CARNIVAL-WORTHY NIGHT OF 'RACING AT MEYDAN'
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MELBOURNE CUP HERO CROSS COUNTER SET FOR DUBAI GOLD CUP ON MEYDAN'S BIG NIGHT RACING POST Cross Counter, who made history by becoming the Brundtland in the same race on Dubai World Cup first British-trained winner of the Melbourne Cup,
night.
is set to have his next run in the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan on March 30.
"After discussing his programme with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, we have pencilled in the Dubai
Trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin, Cross
Gold Cup as a starting point for 2019, and we'll see
Counter won the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood in
where that takes us.
August before finishing second to stablemate Old Persian in the Great Voltigeur at York's Ebor
"It will be an opportunity for His Highness to see
meeting.
Cross Counter on the big night, and also for Godolphin fans in Dubai to give the horse the
He was then a fluent winner of the Melbourne Cup
home-town welcome he deserves."
under Kerrin McEvoy at Flemington in November. The Melbourne Cup, Australia's showpiece race, "Cross Counter has come back from Melbourne
will again be the Teofilo gelding's main target this
stronger and brighter than ever and he has put on
year.
25kg in body weight – he looks great," said Appleby, who could also field Prix Niel winner
"A defence of his Melbourne Cup crown is an
obvious long-range target but we know he'll be
Meydan's trials night on Super Saturday before the
getting a lot more weight this time," said the
Dubai Turf.
trainer, whose team on World Cup night could also include Old Persian.
Blue Point, successful in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, has the Al Quoz Sprint – from
He could use the Dubai City of Gold on Super
which he was withdrawn seconds before the off
Saturday (March 9) as a prep for the Longines
last year after blood was spotted in his nostrils –
Dubai Sheema Classic, while Group 2 winner
on his radar and might also warm up for that on
Loxley may be aimed at the Jebel Hatta on
Super Saturday.
HEAVY METAL TO MAKE SOME NOISE AT MEYDAN GULF NEWS Dubai: Heavy Metal will bid to become only the
Meydan and the third leg of the Group 1 Al
second horse in history to win the Group 2 Al
Maktoum Challenge and Godolphin’s UAE 2000
Maktoum Challenge, the first of three key prep
Guineas sensation Gold Town.
races that lead up to the $10m (Dh36.7 million) Dubai World Cup (G1), when he lines-up alongside
Heavy Metal has been drawn in gate seven and
a classy field in Thursday’s showpiece race at
Jadhav said: “We were hoping for a better draw but
Meydan.
he has won the Godolphin Mile from nine so it should not be a big problem. “He is a strong horse
The last horse to achieve the feat was Le Bernadin
who works well, eats well and is in
in 2016-2017. good form overall so there are no excuses. Trained by Sandeep Jadvav at the Fazza Racing Stables, Heavy Metal will be making his seasonal
“In my opinion, he should run a good race,” Jadhav
bow having last been seen storming home a
added.
popular winner of the Group 1 $1.5m Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup night last March.
“North America is a big threat, but we think Heavy Metal can prove his class.”
Among his eight rivals are the Satish Seemartrained North America, a winner of five races at
Bhupat Seemar, assistant to Satish Seemar, trainer
of North America commented: “He’s in very good
Cup-winning trainer Charlie Appleby send out
form and ready to run.
Classic winner Gold Town as he seeks a maiden Al Maktoum Challenge (Round 1) trophy.
“But the mile is a bit short for him so he’s gonna improve from the race like he did last year when he
“The son of Street Cry is making his first
went on to win a Group One.
appearance since finishing fourth in the Group 2 UAE Derby over nine furlongs on Dubai World Cup
“He’s good to roll and this should be a good prep
night in March.
run for future races.” Appleby commented: “He is taking on some highChampion trainer Doug Watson, who won this
class horses who have very strong form on the dirt
contest in 2013 with Barbecue Eddie, saddles three
at Meydan, but we feel that, if Gold Town can
contenders in Kimbear, Muntazah and Etijaah.
reproduce his UAE Guineas run, he will have a live chance.
“All three are in great shape. Kimbear came out of his first race well in the Garhoud Sprint and he’s
“The return to a mile will suit him and we can
had a nice break since then. He has a good draw
review whether to go back up in trip as the
and should do well,” Watson said.
Carnival progresses.”
“Muntazah has been doing well too since running
Thursday’s card also features the first leg of the
in Abu Dhabi and Etijaah is just a nice older horse
Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Sponsored By
who tries every time. So we’ll see how they
Yahsat for Purebred Arabians and the prep race
go.” Epsom Derby (G1) and Melbourne
for the UAE 2000 Guineas.
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RAVEN'S CORNER SILENCES DOUBTERS IN DUBAWI, DREAM CASTLE LEADS TOP-5 SWEEP FOR GODOLPHIN IN SINGSPIEL; WINNERS FROM AUSTRALIA, UAE & UK HIGHLIGHT DWC CARNIVAL 2019 OPENING NIGHT ERA Meydan Racecourse hosted its first 2019 Dubai World
Sporting the colours of syndicate Touch Gold Racing,
Cup Carnival meeting
who own the 6-year-old gelded son of Raven’s Pass in partnership with Sean Ewing, Raven’s Corner has not
The opening night of the 2019 Dubai World Cup
always been straightforward in the starting stalls.
Carnival at Meydan featured the 1200m Dubawi Stakes
Unlike his seasonal debut, when fourth in the Garhoud
and 1800m Singspiel Stakes—both Group 3 and worth
Sprint (Listed) over the same course and distance, he
$200,000—with each providing thrilling stretch runs
did not miss the break and was always travelling well.
and popular victories. The evening also featured three
Sent to the lead 300m out, having stalked the frantic
wide-open, lucrative handicaps on turf and the UAE
early gallop of 23.84 seconds for 400m and 47.12 for
1000 Guineas Trial for newly turned 3-year-old fillies.
800m dictated by My Catch and High on Life, he was
Recap: DUBAWI STAKES (Group 3, $200,000)
never going to be caught by Drafted, who closed fiercely up the rail under Sam Hitchcott after a
Satish Seemar and Richard Mullen have a formidable
troubled trip. Already the course record holder for
record in the 1200m Dubawi Stakes presented by
1400m, he finished up the 1200m in 1:11.68. The son of
Longines Ladies Master Collection (G3), having won
Raven’s Pass now holds a record of 5-4-1 from 16 starts.
the race four times with UAE sprint legend Reynaldothewizard. They landed a fifth, this time with
“It’s fantastic,” said Mike Kaye, principal of Touch Gold
Raven’s Corner, who bested Doug Watson-trained
Racing. “We’ve been knocking on the door. Every time
favourite Drafted by 1¾ lengths.
we have run in graded races, we tend to get a wide
stall. We thought we had him absolutely perfect today
the (Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint) is likely.”
and as good as we’ve ever had him. He travelled like much the best horse. They went super-quick on quite
Mullen said: “A lot of work has gone behind the scenes.
a slow track and he got a little tired at the end, but he’s
He is a horse who has to have things nice and calm; no
won quite convincingly. It’s pleasing. We’ll see how he
distractions, no changes. That is why I have not sat on
comes out, but the (Group 3) Al Shindagha (Sprint)
him this year, I just said to the boss, leave Santiago (to
would be the plan. If we give him a little break, it would
ride him); he knows him well. I just jumped on him on
be between that and the Dubai Golden Shaheen (on
race day. It probably helped it was a small field and we
Mar. 30).”
were able to load last. You know he is a horse who has a little quirk, it goes from the elusive quality bred into
“Exactly what we were saying before the race,” Seemar
them, but he is extremely talented and we always felt
added. “If everything goes just perfect for him, which it
it. “He is a very fast horse. He does things his own way
did today, this is who he is. He’s had his problems with
and he likes to be calm and relaxed. He is ultra-
this and that, but everything was right for him today.
talented, as we saw him there. Drafted is probably the
He has proven before by breaking a track record for
benchmark for our local sprinters and he is a very
seven (furlongs last February) that he’s a good horse
talented horse and luckily we beat him today. I think
and today he’s back. He’s going to go step-by-step, but
they are two of the best sprinters on dirt in the UAE at
the moment, and they are going to contest many
began to falter in the lane of the Group 3 Singspiel Stakes,
battles in the months to come.”
the race immediately opened up to any horse with a proper closing kick. Luckily for Godolphin, it had at least
Watson, who also trains Group 3 winner My
five of those prospects and proceeded to sweet the first
Catch, was pleased with Drafted’s performance.
five spots in the $200,000 affair, led by the Saeed bin
“My Catch; I’m not quite sure what happened
Suroor-trained duo of Dream Castle and Racing History.
with him. Drafted, he’s impressing me every
The former, with Christophe Soumillon aboard, won by a
time. He’s in with a shot in every race and
clear 1½ lengths in a time of 1:49.40 for the 1800m course
horses don’t close like that here. He made up
and distance prep for the $6 million Dubai Turf sponsored
tons of lengths in that last (150m). He’s a proper
by DP World (G1) on Dubai World Cup night (Mar. 30).
horse.”
Another from the Bin Suroor yard, Team Talk finished fourth, while Charlie Appleby-conditioned Salsabeel and
“It was a good run; bad trip. Plain and simple,”
Bay of Poets finished third and fifth. The highest regarded
Hitchcott added.
of the Godolphin sextet, Appleby-trained Key Victory, failed to factor and finished 12th of the 16.
“I was forced to go a little quicker than I wanted earlier on,” said Pat Dobbs, who rode My Catch,
A homebred 5-year-old son of Frankel, Dream Castle had
who was last seen finishing eighth in the Dubai
been gelded since last seen in public and was actually
Golden Shaheen (G1). “But once he got to
winning for the first time since making a successful debut
traveling really sweet, he just got a bit tired up
as a 3yo at Doncaster in April 2017, after which he was fifth
the straight. He will improve for the run.”
in the 2000 Guineas (G1). On what was his 11th career start, he travelled powerfully in the middle of the field
Recap: SINGSPIEL STAKES (Group 3, $200,000)
before being unleashed by Soumillon with the pair sprinting clear with just over 200m to run, completing
When Grade 1-winning favourite Deauville
doubles for ‘Team Thunder Snow.’
“Yes I talked with Pat Cosgrave a lot before the
now won over 1200m, 2000m and twice at 2400m.
race because he knows the horse better than any other jockey,” Soumillon said. “He told me the
Bin Suroor said: “That was a very good and pleasing
horse has changed a lot this year and was much
performance and we were quite hopeful because he had
more settled in the morning track-work. I could
been working well after his break. We will stick to
feel it straight when I was going down the start,
handicap company for now, but we think he is a Group
and he was really settling down and just inside
horse and we will step him up in grade at some stage. He
the gate he was a bit stressed. I was happy
stays further than this and he could, possibly, be a Dubai
everybody went in quickly, because he was close
Gold Cup horse.”
to jumping somewhere in there. When the gates opened, he was settling down very easily. I got a
Won in each of the last three tears for His Highness
perfect race just behind the lead and I came a bit
Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum by the sadly
wide and we didn’t go very fast, so I had to ask
deceased Ertijaal, the Longines Ladies Record Collection,
him to quicken quite well by himself in the
a 1000m turf handicap, was again won by the owner with
middle of the track. He gave me a very good
Australian-trained Faatinah, running on strongly to deny
effort. The big race for him now will probably be
Irish-trained Hit the Bid. Trained by David Hayes, he was
the (Dubai) Turf over the same distance. I am
ridden by his owner’s retained jockey Jim Crowley.
sure he can run between seven furlongs (1400m) and 1800m, without a problem. It just depends
A delighted assistant trainer, Ben Hayes, said: “As he has
on the pace.”
aged, he seems to have become quicker and we were keen to run him over 1000m, as he had perhaps not always
“He got a really soft time up front and ran to suit
been seeing out the 1200m. He is my favourite horse in the
himself,” said Luke Morris, who rode Deauville
yard and we will now have to think about how to
to an 11th-place finish for new trainer Fawzi
campaign him. He runs well fresh as we know so that
Nass (previously trained by Aidan O’Brien). “He
might be the plan; to give him plenty of time between
didn’t run since September, so he needed the
runs, with the Al Quoz Sprint the final target on the Dubai
run.”
World Cup card.”
Remainder of Card
Over 1400m on the dirt track, the UAE 1000 Guineas Trial presented by Longines La Grande Classique produced an
Earlier, the very first race of the 2019 carnival, a
unlikely, yet dominant winner in the shape of Al Hayette,
2410m turf handicap (Longines Gents Record
who finished fast to win her second race in 14 days over
Collection) was won impressively by Godolphin’s
the Meydan dirt, having broken her maiden over 1600m
Saeed bin Suroor-trained Bin Battuta who
on Dec. 20. The daughter of Union Rags is bred beautifully
settled well behind the leaders under Christophe
for the surface, being out of a Hennessy mare, and is
Soumillon before shooting clear 300m out, while
owned and trained by Ismail Mohammed, who said: “We
being chased home by the same owner’s Ispolini,
were worried about dropping her back to 1400m, as she
trained by Charlie Appleby. Off the track for 495
showed last time she is better over 1600m. In the future,
days, the 5-year-old Dubawi horse had last been
she will stay further. Obviously we will go for the UAE
seen when finishing second in the 2800m
1000 Guineas next and perhaps the UAE Oaks later on.
Melrose Handicap at the prestigious Yorkshire
She is a nice filly and will appreciate the extra 200m in the
Ebor meeting in August 2017. This was his fourth
UAE 1000 Guineas. We always had Dubai in mind for her
career victory on his ninth outing and he has
but she ran well on her three starts in the UK and has
continued to improve since arriving here.”
Connor Beasley, the 4-year-old gelded son of Windsor Knot is owned by Excel Racing, whose members include
A treble for Godolphin, Bin Suroor and Soumillon
Southampton footballer Charlie Austin
appeared likely when Top Score hit the front about 350m from home in the concluding Longines Master
Scott said: “That was a nice surprise, really, but he is a very
Collection Moon Phase, a 1400m turf handicap, but
smart horse and one we have always had high hopes for.
they had no answer to the late challenge of Another
We thought he was fit enough to do himself justice but we
Batt, a first UAE runner for young trainer George
were probably hopeful of a place, rather than expecting to
Scott, who is based in Newmarket, UK. Ridden by
win.”
14
FAVOURITE KUHEILAAN AAFAS WINS TOP RACE GULF DAILY NEWS
Bahrain (Alba) Cup for imported horses carrying the second richest prize of BD5,000 Port Douglas was third and Pressure Point fourth.
FAVOURITES enjoyed another fruitful day winning all five feature races at yesterday’s
Baltic Knight, owned by Al-Afoo Racing
horse racing at Rashid Equestrian and Horse
Stable, trained by Mohammed Saeed and
Racing Club in Sakhir.
ridden by Abdulla Faisal, was another favourite to oblige when it beat Laidback
Kuheilaan Aafas 1708, owned by Victorious,
Romeo by one-and-one-fourth length to win
trained by Yousif Taher and ridden by Abdulla
the Al Salam Bank Cup for imported horses
Faisal, won the richest race of the day
carrying a cash prize of BD3,000 Excuse To
beating Musannan 1719 by two-and-half-a-
Linger was third and Saajid fourth.
length to claim the Southern Governate Cup for Arabian horses carrying a cash prize of
Daleel, owned by Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla Al
BD6,000 Al Hamdaany 1680 was third and Al
Khalifa, trained by James Naylor and ridden
Jellaby 1656 fourth. Shogun, owned by Al
by Adnan Jaffar, beat Pulsar by three-and-
Adiyat Racing, trained by Alan Smith and
half-a-length to win the Alba Cup carrying a
ridden by Gerald Mosse, beat Bermondsey by
cash prize of BD2,500 Retort was third and
six lengths to claim the Aluminium
Knight And Day fourth.
Sadara, owned by Al Awlad Syndicate, trained
support races carrying a cash prize of
by James Naylor and ridden by Brett Doyle,
BD2,000 Boragh Steps was third and Mayalee
beat Safwa by one-and-half-length to win the
fourth.
Alba Cup for locally bred horses carrying a cash prize of BD2,500Â Janah was third and
Al Tariq, owned by Abdulla Fawzi Nass,
Riyady fourth.
trained by Hesham Al Haddad and ridden by Husain Makki, beat Jayyash by seven lengths
Austin Powers, owned by Ramadhan Stable,
to win the second support race for locally
trained by Jaber Ramadhan and ridden by
bred horses carrying a cash prize of BD2,000
Robert Tart, beat London Look by one-and-
Munjiz was third and Jadeel fourth. The next
one-fourth length to win the first of twoÂ
races are scheduled for next Friday.
16
MOSHAHER'S MONSTROUS DEBUT TOPS CARNIVALWORTHY NIGHT OF 'RACING AT MEYDAN' ERA
foes in the straight. Kept lightly to task, he finished up the race in 1:40.81, while finishing 6¼ lengths clear of the well-bred duo of Lacienegaboulevard and Raayan. An $87,000 OBS April 2-year-old purchase and out of a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Fleet
DUBAI (January 5, 2019)—Racing at Meydan on
Renee, Moshaher will now move on to the rich
Saturday officially featured The District One
Dubai World Cup Carnival 3-year-old stakes
Magnificent Stretch, a 1600m turf handicap, but
program that culminates with the world’s richest
the main event was upstaged from the outset
dirt derby, the $2.5 million UAE Derby (G2). It was a
when H And B’s Moshaher decimated a group of 3-
second debut winner for the ‘Classic’ generation for
year-old maidens with UAE Derby dreams in the
the owner after their Al Seel Legacy’s made a
opener. The 1600m (one mile) affair, titled the
victorious start to his career a fortnight ago.
District One Panorama Win, saw the Doug Watson-trained son of two-time Breeders’ Cup
“We were very hopeful coming into the race,
Dirt Mile winner Goldencents track the leaders
because his work at home has been exceptional,
like a seasoned older horse before toying with his
but you just never know if they will reproduce NOMADIC
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that,” Watson said. “He did not trial as he arrived a
Surely one of the gamest horses trained locally,
bit late, but we did work him out of the gates and
Heraldic, ideally drawn in stall three, was never
he did everything right. We think he is a nice horse,
headed in the 2200m dirt handicap, the District
so it is nice to see him win like that first time out.
One Landmark Award, responding to the urgings of
Hopefully, there is more to come with the (Group
Richard Mullen to hold off Hucklebuck, who tried
3, $250,000) UAE 2000 Guineas (on Feb. 7) his next
valiantly to get past throughout the duration of the
race.”
straight. Fresh off
In the previously scheduled feature, Musabbeh Al
Mullen said: “This horse is just so genuine and does
Mheiri-trained Azmaam proved simply too good for
not want to be passed, as he showed last time, and
his rivals, wearing down Ajwad in the final furlong
again today. That was another very gutsy effort and
to win by a measured 1½ lengths. Jim Crowley was
he is a credit to Satish and the whole team.”
riding for his main employer, His Highness Sheikh
Owners, trainer and jockey doubled up with
Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
arguably the easiest winner of the night, Bochart, who was sent straight to the front by Mullen in a
Crowley said: “That was actually the first time I
1400m dirt handicap, the District One Elegance
have ridden him, but the trainer was pretty
Stretch Cup, and had the race won from the
confident and he is a horse who tends to finish his
moment they shot clear early in the straight. A
races strongly, so I was happy to take my time. He
course and distance winner in November, in similar
was not the best away and I had to hassle him a bit
fashion, the 6-year-old Dubawi gelding carried top
early on, but after that he has carried me there
weight of 62 kg and appears to be a possible
nicely before quickening well.”
Carnival player.
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Mullen said: “That was a career-best from him and
both at Meydan, Pirate’s Cove was never headed in
that was always the plan, to go forward and give
the 1200m dirt handicap—the District One
him a breather, then go for home. When I asked
Picturesque Run—to gain a popular victory for
him, he quickened nicely. It would be nice to get
trainer Sandeep Jadhav and owner Hamad Rashed
him into the Carnival.”
bin Ghadayer. Reunited with Mickael Barzalona, aboard for the only previous local victory
Out of luck with Hucklebuck, trainer Ahmad bin
registered by the 6-year-old gelded son of Dubawi,
Harmash was soon celebrating victory with the
over the same course and distance last January, he
well-deserved success of Rua Augusta in the
was able to track across from his middle draw to
following 1600m turf maiden, the District One
get the rail and the lead. Stalked by Alraased, he
World Class Run. A 4-year-old gelded son of Arch,
was kicked clear by Barzalona about 250m out,
he was running for the 12th time in the UAE and
after which they never appeared likely to be
15th overall. With several good efforts in defeat on
caught.
his resume, including finishing third in last year’s Al Bastakiya (Listed) on Super Saturday, he battled on
Jadhav said: “He has been so unlucky the last twice
strongly to deny Paleolithic; asserting clearly that
when only caught close home, so he deserved that
this is his preferred surface.
and I am delighted for him and his owner. Full credit to Mickael, who is a world-class jockey and
Bentley, riding his first winner of the UAE season
has given him the perfect ride from the front.”
on just his second mount, said: “He has really stuck his head out and seemed to appreciate being back
The finale, the District One Crystal Lagoon Trophy,
on the turf, as he probably does not relish the
a 2000m turf handicap, Barzalona and mount Rio
kickback on the dirt surfaces. There are not many
Tigre roared home a determined winner over
spare rides around this season with so many good
Crowley and Mudaarab. The winner is owned by
jockeys here, but hopefully I will pick up more
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum and
mounts.”
trained by Jadhav—providing doubles for the
Caught close home on his previous two outings,
jockey-trainer combination. It was the son of
when third over 1600m and second over 1200m, NOMADIC
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Teofilo’s third win of the UAE 2018-19 season. 24
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16
IFTITAH CONTINUES SEEMAR-MULLEN HOT STREAK AT AL AIN ERA
race won but had to dig deep close home to hold off the late challenge of Jintshi, formerly trained by Seemar. A 5-year-old gelding by Harbour Watch, Iftitah was registering a fourth career victory. “The horse deserves that because he has been
Al Ain staged their first meeting of 2019 on Friday
knocking on the door since we have had him and
afternoon, which was a seven-race card
was doing the same last season for Fawzi and his
highlighted by the lone Thoroughbred handicap
team,” said Mullen, who was completing a quick
over 1400m. The event was won in determined
double. Basically, if you leave him alone, out of
fashion by Iftitah, ridden by Richard Mullen for
traffic and let him travel at a speed he is
trainer Satish Seemar, who had combined to win
comfortable with, he is happier that way. Hopefully
the previous evening’s Dubawi Stakes (G3) on
now that he’s won again, it will do his confidence
opening night of the Dubai World Cup Carnival at
the power of good.”
Meydan. The opening 1400m maiden, restricted to 4-yearAlways travelling well for Mullen, Iftitah cruised
olds in private ownership, was another race
into contention on the home turn before, pulled
contested by the maximum field of 15, but only one
slightly wide, gaining the initiative with 450m still
ever really mattered with Mullen sending AF
to run. They quickened clear, seemingly with the
Alnwha straight to the front and they probably NOMADIC
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never saw a rival. Skipping clear early in the straight and
he was quite green throughout most of the race so is
never in danger subsequently. Trained by Ernst Oertel
only going to get better with experience. Irfan does
for his main patron, Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda, the
very well with the horses he has and his team have been
homebred filly was making it third time lucky having
in good form all season.”
previously finished well beaten in both her debut, over the same course and distance in November and again,
A maiden over 1800m was won by Officer who, as he
over 1600m, on the Abu Dhabi turf in the Abu Dhabi
was on his debut and only previous start, at Al Ain over
Championship (Listed PA).
1400m, was slowly away and seemingly outpaced throughout the first half of the race.
“She is a nice filly and learning all the time,” Oertel said. “As I keep saying, I am very fortunate to train these
However, on this occasion over further and given
smart horses for Mr. Al Nabooda, who is such an
plenty of time to find his stride by Gerald Avranche,
enthusiastic owner and breeder.”
riding for Abdallah Al Hammadi and Al Ajban Stables, he made relentless progress throughout the straight,
Representing the powerful Al Asayl team, RB Burning
hitting the front in the final 100m.
Ash was impressive when landing the best of the Purebred Arabian action, a 2000m handicap, with
Connections wasted no time completing a course and
Fabrice Veron in the saddle for owner His Highness
distance double with, in almost a carbon copy of the
Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and trainer Eric
home straight finish of Officer, Hareer Al Reef powering
Lemartinel.
down the straight to lead in the closing stages in the following 1800m handicap, supplementing their 2000m
“You always know you have a chance riding for these
Sharjah victory just six days ago.
connections and the trainer told me to try and get some cover early on so that is what I did,” Veron explained.
Avranche said: “The yard is in good form and Officer
“Then, when I have needed space to challenge I pulled
had learned a lot from his debut but is still a baby who
him out wide where he has really quickened and finished
should again improve. I won at Sharjah on Hareer Al
very strongly. We had a nice low weight today and,
Reef just last Saturday, so running again so quickly was
luckily, we have been able to take full advantage of it.”
a slight concern but he has won that very well today.”
He may have been reluctant to load, dislodging
The finale, a 1000m conditions race for horses who had
Fernando Jara behind the stalls before the 1600m
not won more than once previously went, stylishly, to
handicap, but there was nothing wrong during the race
Lou Raynal, making his local debut a very impressive
with the attitude of bottom weight JAP Malawih, who
winning one with Xavier Ziani riding for Yousif bin
having disputed the lead throughout the first half of the
Ghilan. A 7-year-old entire by Kerbella, this was 18th
race was committed for home a full 450m out and won
career start, but only second on dirt and he was
well.
doubling his career tally having registered his maiden victory in the UK on the all-weather at Wolverhampton
Riding for Sheikh Saeed bin Maktoum Al Maktoum and
over 1200m. That was in June 2017 on his sixth
the owner’s principal trainer, Irfan Ellahi, Jara was
racecourse appearance.
delighted with the outcome and said: “I was happy to be asked to ride him as I thought he had a big chance but
22
EXCITING COLT ROYAL MARINE RETURNS ON MEYDAN DIRT TRACK
After signing off last season with victory in the
SPORTING LIFE
Bin Suroor said: "Royal Marine is a very good
Group One Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at ParisLongchamp in October, the son of Raven's Pass will face a field of 12 rivals as he bids to give the Newmarket handler his first win in the mile conditions contest since 2016. horse and is doing well. He has enjoyed the
Saeed bin Suroor hopes Royal Marine can
climate here and has been working well. He
prove as effective on a dirt surface by
looks healthy.
stamping his authority over his rivals in the
"It will be interesting to see if he handles the
UAE 2000 Guineas Trial at Meydan on
dirt for future races. I expect him to run well
Thursday.
on it. If he does, we can look at the UAE 2000Â
the UAE Derby.
David Barron's Above The Rest is top-weight, with David O'Meara's Intisaab, the Bin Suroor-trained Major
"The plan was to run him in Dubai to give him a chance
Partnership and Jamie Osborne's newcomer Dream
to run in these races. If doesn't handle it, we will keep
Today others among the 13 runners.
him in Dubai and ready him for the European season." Bin Suroor also holds strong claims in the Special Last season's UAE 2000 Guineas winner Gold Town,
Olympics Cup through Glassy Waters and Welsh Lord,
from the yard of Charlie Appleby, will make his first
while Syphax, formerly with Kevin Ryan, is looking to
start of the year in Round One of the Group Two Al
bounce back to his best.
Maktoum Challenge, in which the Sandeep Jadhavtrained Heavy Metal will bid for back-to-back victories.
The William Haggas-trained Original Choice is drawn
The valuable six-furlong handicap sprint sees some
one in the Cepsa Energy Cup, in which Joseph O'Brien
well-known names taking part.
runs King's Field.