Racing Weekly Issue 12

ISSUE 12 17 JANUARY 2019

YOUR RACING DESTINATION

JOCKEY MIKE SMITH

NORTH AMERICA

GOLDEN JAGUAR

ANTICIPATES BIG DUBAI WORLD CUP RUN

WINS THE MAKTOUM CHALLENGE

ANOTHER ACE ON THE RISE FOR PHOENIX

Celebrating the achievements of the industry from all over the world, we are

From all of us at The

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Racing Weekly, we

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wish you the very

forward. best!

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MCKINZIE MCKINZIE SET TO MISS PEGASUS AS SMITH ANTICIPATES BIG DUBAI WORLD CUP RUN

MCPEEK & ASMUSSEN MCPEEK, ASMUSSEN BARNS SHIP FOR DUBAI WORLD CUP CARNIVAL RACES

MEYDAN, THURSDAY NORTH AMERICA MANHANDLES MAKTOUM CHALLENGE FIELD

BAHRAIN THORKHILL STAR TOP WINNER OF THE DAYÂ

JEBEL ALI GOLDEN JAGUAR ANOTHER ACE ON THE RISE FOR PHOENIX LADIES

4

MCKINZIE SET TO MISS PEGASUS AS SMITH ANTICIPATES BIG DUBAI WORLD CUP RUN RACING POST Legendary American jockey Mike Smith believes

"We thought about taking him to the Pegasus but

Mckinzie has the credentials to win the Dubai

he won't run there now. Instead we'll go for a prep

World Cup as he looks to follow in the footsteps of

race in America and, depending on how he goes,

Arrogate.

we'll decide whether to take him over to Dubai."

Smith and trainer Bob Baffert combined to land the

Mckinzie bounced back from a disappointing effort

Meydan prize in 2017 with Arrogate, and the pair

in the Breeders' Cup to claim a third Grade 1

enjoyed another great season last year, principally

success at Santa Anita on Boxing Day, and Smith

thanks to Triple Crown hero Justify.

believes there is much more to come.

The Pegasus World Cup on Saturday week was

"We're hoping he can run a big race in Dubai," he

among Mckinzie's options, but the progressive

said. "He's certainly talented and taking him over

four-year-old has been ruled out according to

there is certainly on his radar. He won the Grade 1

Smith.

Malibu Stakes last time and gave me a really nice feeling that day. Everything seems to be going

The California-based jockey said: "We're excited by

right."

Mckinzie and the plan is to take him to the Dubai World Cup. He's a really good horse, and improving

Mckinzie would be attempting to become the 12thÂ

US-trained horse to land the Dubai World Cup,

the Triple Crown at the age of 52, and the fire is

and British and Irish bookmakers have him as a

still very much burning with plenty to look forward

general 8-1 chance. Last year's winner Thunder

to in 2019.

Snow heads the betting at a best-priced 7-2.

"We're always looking at the next three-year-old Smith added: "I was blessed to win the Dubai

star, with races like the Kentucky Derby coming

World Cup on Arrogate and it's great to have

up, and I've ridden some talented horses who I'm

another one for the race.

looking forward to," said the jockey, who won the 1991 Irish 2,000 Guineas on Fourstars Allstar.

"Arrogate and Mckinzie are very different, the only thing they have in common is how talented

"It's hard to say who my best ones are because for

they are. I don't think we have seen the best of

many of them it's early days. I really like Big Scott

Mckinzie yet.

Daddy, who'll run at the end of the month. He was very impressive in breaking his maiden in

"He has a lot of talent and should keep improving

December. He acts like he wants two turns and is a

building up to Dubai. We'll just need him to do well

nice horse.

on his next run, then we can get him there.

"I've also got Gunmetal Gray. He won the Grade 3 "Riding over there is incredible. It's a very special

Sham Stakes and I thought he did it very well.

night with the biggest and best horses and races, and I hope to be part of it."Â Smith made history last

"They'll have to make the next step and such

year when becoming the oldest jockey to win

horses need to improve but there's room for it."

MCPEEK, ASMUSSEN BARNS SHIP FOR DUBAI WORLD CUP CARNIVAL RACES HORSE RACING NATION Shipping in a quartet of horses for the Dubai World

horses rated 95-105.

Cup, trainer Kenny McPeek will make history in becoming the first trainer from America to race as

“I was very impressed with how Harlan Strong is

early as mid-January in Dubai.

doing,” Draper said. “He looked great going around there this morning. I think he’ll be competitive and

McPeek already has on the grounds a quartet of

it looks like he’s in a good spot. All four of these

horses, including Senior Investment, third in the

horses that Kenny brought over are horses who

2017 Preakness Stakes, and Harlan Strong, who's

look like they should fit really well. I don’t know

graded stakes placed. They're targeting Dubai

just how tough the competition is going to be, but

World Cup Carnival races that could lead up to the

I’m sure they’re not going to be pushovers.”

big race night on March 30 at Meydan.

While Harlan Strong, who will be piloted by Dane McPeek has sent seasoned assistant trainer Otto

O’Neill, is owned by Paul Fireman’s Fern Circle

Draper to Dubai with his quartet. Draper, on hand

Stables and McPeek’s Magdalena Racing,

when the quartet cleared quarantine on Tuesday

Honorable Treasure runs under the banner of

morning, was pleased with what he saw in their

Harold Lerner and partners. The son of To Honor

morning exercises — especially with Harlan

And Serve was a troubled third last out to highly

Strong, who is already entered to run this

regarded Copper Bullet in allowance company and

Thursday in the $135,000 2000m turf handicap for

chose to run in Thursday’s $135,000 1200m

handicap for horses rated 90-105 in lieu of the

will be for him afterward, but there will be a

equivalent class over 1600m.

couple spots,” he said. Meanwhile, Steve Asmussen has already shipped two horses, the 3-year-old

“He’s good at both (1200m and 1600m), but is

Tone Broke and Switzerland, who on Tuesday was

actually best at seven-eighths (1400m),” Draper

ridden by Carlos Rosas—the same exercise rider

said. “The first time out here, we thought the

and traveling assistant who was atop Curlin and

1200m would be better for him because of that.

Gun Runner in their past Dubai World Cup

You always have concerns when you ship in

preparations.

anywhere, but sometimes you can run (well) right off the truck and other times you don’t.”

While no concrete plans are set for Switzerland, his likely first race of the DWC Carnival will be the

Draper also confirmed that Senior Investment will

$200,000 Al Shindagha Sprint (G3) over 1200m on

likely go in next Thursday’s $135,000 2000m

Jan. 31. Others likely for what could be a fantastic

handicap on dirt.

renewal of said race are defending champ My Catch, Dubawi (G3) winner Raven’s Corner,

“There’s a spot on the 24th of January for (Senior

Garhoud Sprint (Listed) winner Drafted and

Investment) over 2000m. I don’t know what there

multiple Argentine Group 2 winner Tato Key.

8

NORTH AMERICA MANHANDLES MAKTOUM CHALLENGE FIELD; WALKING THUNDER IGNITES DERBY DREAMS IN UAE 2000 GUINEAS TRIAL; GOOD FORTUNE WINS INAUGURAL DUBAI TROPHY ERA Meydan Racecourse hosted its second 2019 Dubai

Well away under Richard Mullen, riding for main

World Cup Carnival meeting

employer Satish Seemar and owner Ramzan Kadyrov, North America was absolutely dominant in a race that

DUBAI (January 10, 2019)—Thursday’s second evening

shaped up as one of the most compelling and

of the 2109 Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan was

competitive dirt miles Dubai has ever seen. The 7-

highlighted by a quality renewal of the $350,000 Al

year-old gelded son of Dubawi soon turned that

Maktoum Challenge Round 1 sponsored by Yahsat, a

presumption on its head, going gate-to-wire and never

Group 2 contested over 1600m that has served as a

looking in doubt.

prep for both the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) and $1.5 million Godolphin Mile (G2). Additionally, two

Shaking off defending champion and Godolphin Mile

exciting sophomore stakes were on tap, including the

(G2) winner Heavy Metal, as well as UAE 2000 Guineas

inaugural $100,000 Dubai Trophy over 1400m on turf

(G3) winner Gold Town, Burj Nahaar (G3) winner

and the $100,000 UAE 2000 Guineas over 1600m on

Kimbear and Godolphin Mile runner-up Muntazah,

dirt, as well as a trio of enthralling handicaps and a

gingerly campaigned North America won for the sixth

Group 1 Purebred Arabian affair.

time in 16 starts and first time since winning the Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 (G1) on Super Saturday

AL MAKTOUM CHALLENGE ROUND 1 (Group 2,

last March in similar fashion over subsequent Dubai

$350,000)

World Cup (G1) winner Thunder Snow.

The victory provided some consolation for the

“Unbelievable,” Mullen added. “I just said to the boss

winner’s connections, as his last two disappointing

(Seemar) that there are not a lot of horses who give

efforts—a 10th in the Dubai World Cup and third in last

me goosebumps and he has done that. It was an

year’s edition of this race—were caused by poor starts.

incredible performance for his first run (this season).

This time, there was no such worry.

He has such huge stride. I think anything that comes near, he has that much pace that he just kills them off.

“That’s the way he is,” Seemar said. “I was telling (Mullen) to let him do his thing. We had the right draw.

“This is step one. There are a few to go, so let us not

If he pops out, just don’t stop him. I know when he’s in

get carried away. Like I said, they are horses, not

form like that, he’s so good. About 10 days ago, we

machines, and anything can happen. There is potential

jumped him out of the gate, just to wake him up and he

for him to be better. He is only going to have four runs

did it exactly the same way. I wasn’t worried about

this year and he already has his program penciled out.

(Heavy Metal). After (North America) broke like he did, I

I know he is a 7-year-old, but he has probably had less

had no worries. His stride is about 1½ compared to

races than most 3- or 4-year-olds in Europe. He is

other horses. He could have set a track record today,

very lightly raced and very well looked-after. They

but no one was there to challenge him. He’ll go to (Al

have the whole summer off, so seven is the new three

Maktoum Challenge) Round 2.”

or four in UAE terms.”

The Doug Watson-trained pair of Sheikh Rashid

run, again. I think Kimbear got another good blow out of

bin Humaid Al Nuaimi’s Kimbear and Sheikh

this race. I’d say we go to the Firebreak with both of

Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s Muntazah, ran

them.”

on well, but were clearly distanced by the victor’s powerhouse performance. Kimbear

Gold Town, African Ride, Dolkong, Etijaah, Masaarr and a

saved ground under Pat Dobbs before tipping

shockingly flat Heavy Metal completed the field.

out and attempting to reel in the winner, while Muntazah dealt with a slightly more eventful trip

Mickael Barzalona, aboard Heavy Metal, offered little

under Jim Crowley.

excuse: “The horse, mainly, needed the run. We’ll see next time.”

“He had a nice trip around,” Dobbs said. “The winner was far too good. He’s a tough horse and

UAE 2000 GUINEAS TRIAL (3-year-olds, $100,000)

ran his race, but I’m afraid the winner was in a

The UAE 2000 Guineas Trial sponsored by Strata, over the

different league today.”

same 1600m dirt course and distance as the first colts’ classic, was turned into a procession by Walking Thunder,

“I didn’t get a great trip around,” Crowley

who is now unbeaten after three starts, all at Meydan on

explained. “There was a little interference on the

dirt. Trained by Ahmad bin Harmash for the Phoenix

backside, but he ran a good race and I think he’ll

Ladies Syndicate, the 3-year-old son of Violence provided

improve from this.”

the owners a winner with their first ever runner at the opening Meydan meeting of the season, at the beginning

Watson added: “North America was just fantastic

of November, over 1400m and followed up five weeks later

tonight. I thought he might need farther, but the

over 1600m. Ridden by Connor Beasley on each occasion,

way he did that, he’s going to be a tough horse

the pair were able to overcome being drawn widest of all

this year. I’m pleased with ours. Muntazah got

to stalk early leader Power Link, before sweeping past

into a little trouble, but he’ll come on from that

early in the straight and powering clear by nine lengths.

Bin Harmash said: “He’s a very good horse. We are

DUBAI TROPHY (3-year-olds, $100,000)

trying to get to the UAE Derby with him. He’s doing

A new race this year, the Dubai Trophy sponsored by

very well and has trained very well. He ran a great

Masdar, a 1400m turf conditions contest for the 3-year-

race. Congratulations to this new group of owners.

olds, was won in determined fashion by Godolphin’s Good

We weren’t worried about the (draw). He’s a horse

Fortune, a first 2019 carnival winner for both Charlie

who runs fast from the gate and it didn’t scare us

Appleby and James Doyle. Never far off the pace, Doyle

that much. It looks like he can travel the Derby

asked the New Approach colt to challenge at the top of the

distance.”

straight with the pair hitting the front about 350m from home before drifting slightly across the track, but never

“From a wide draw, I just thought I would let him

appearing in much danger, although David Simcock-

jump and, instead of fighting, let him breathe and

trained Woven did run on well to take second. Trolius ran

find his feet,” Beasley added. “He did that really well

on well to be third, which provided a small consolation for

today and he travelled very easily. He is a real

trainer Simon Crisford, whose favoured Sporting Chance

professional in his mannerisms; the way he goes to

disappointed in 12th of the 16 runners.

start—just everything. To me, he feels like a good horse. When the draw came out, I was a bit

“He’s certainly done well since he’s been out here,”

disappointed, but in hindsight, it worked out really

Appleby said. “I feel stepping up in trip after this is only

well. I’ve let him get into stride and I had no kickback

going to be his forte. He’ll obviously most likely go on to

in his face; not that he minds kickback. He had a

the Meydan Classic; the most natural progression for

smooth passage throughout and I think that was

him.”

probably key.”

“It went off quite nicely on a horse that has shown decent Manguzi finished a hard-trying second on short rest

level of ability at home,” Doyle added. “He was drawn very

for trainer Ali Rashid Al Rayhi, while Doug Watson-

wide in a competitive field with plenty of runners, which

trained Al Seel Legacy’s pipped disappointing

can make it a bit tricky. He jumped well, did everything

favourite Royal Marine for third in the final strides.

well and relaxed very nicely. He has thrived out here and

Jockey Christophe Soumillon said of the Saeed bin

looks like he has grown a bit. He looks pretty solid, now,

Suroor-trained Godolphin homebred: “We got off to

and hopefully we can have a bit more fun. I was always

a slow start and he finished well in the end. He

pretty happy with him. He didn’t click away in the

needed that run.”

straight, but he just kept lengthening and it just turned out well.”

The Factor’s three-quarter brother Power Link, who set the pace, retreated to fifth, while Red Cactus,

Jim Crowly, aboard Woven, was pleased with his mount’s

Burj, Giant Hero, Rayig, Faith and Fortune, Dark

game effort: “It went well,” he said. “It’s his first start out

Thunder, Galaxy Road and Nitro completed the order

here and he’s ran well and he’ll improve off this race. It

of finish.

was a good run.”

Bin Harmash and Beasley completed a double with

Chris Hayes, aboard Trolius, said: “We had a very bad

the easy victory of New Trails in the 1900m dirt

draw, but it was a good trip. I got across into a nice

handicap, the Special Olympics Cup, in which the

position; probably a length or two off the eventual winner.

improving charge decimated his rivals by 10½

He probably wants farther than this trip. If they kept a

lengths. The effort inspired Bin Harmash to report

good gallop going, I thought I could have caught him. It’s a

that he will head to the $450,000 Al Maktoum

good, promising run. He’s done everything right; couldn’t’

Challenge Round 2 (G2) on Feb. 7.

fault him.”

Pat Cosgrave offered little excuse for the beaten

Alfredo Arcano for Ireland and a trio from the UK

favourite: “He probably just needed the run and got a

—Glenamoy Lad, Intisaab and Dream Today. Ultimate it

little tired in the straight, but it’s his first run for a while.

was the last named, Jamie Osborne-trained Dream Today,

I’d just say he needed a run.”

who pulled off the short-headed victory for a raucous ‘The Melbourne 10’ ownership group.

Irish Trilogy finished fourth, followed by Shining Armor, Prince Elzaam, Al Fajir Mukbile, Estihdaaf, Dream With

Ridden by Chris Hayes, the 4-year-old Dream Ahead

You, Iskandarani, Bosconero, Sporting Chance, Magic

gelding was saddled by Jamie Osborne, who said: “That

Image, King Lothbrok, Al Mortajaz, Mneef.

was brilliant; I was stood by the furlong pole and thought he was beaten, but had run a big race and was happy with

The only Purebred Arabian race on the card, the Al

that. Then, as Chris said, he has just fought back and has

Maktoum Challenge R1 sponsored by Mubadala (G1 PA)

shown a great attitude to regain the initiative, having been

kicked off proceedings over 1600m on dirt and provided

headed as he passed me. It is a great occasion for all the

trainer Mohamed Ali with his first winner of the season

syndicate and we will enjoy it!”

when Wadeeaa was never headed in her dirt debut.

Owned and bred by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al

The finale, the ultra-competitive looking Cepsa Energy

Nahyan, the 5-year-old mare absolutely flew out the

Cup, a 1600m turf handicap, was contested by the

stalls under Szczepan Mazur and proceeded to hold off

maximum allowed field of 16 and was won impressively by

all comers in an impressive gate-to-wire win.

one of the most decorated yards in Carnival history, the Blue Stables of Mike de Kock and his 7-year-old Baroot,

“I was pretty confident we were going to hold on, but

who was making his first start since Mar. 15. Owned by

was also relieved to get to the post still in front,” Mazur

Sheikh Ahmed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, the son of Dubawi

said.

closed from the tail-end of the field, pounced on his rivals and won with authority under Adrie De Vries.

The Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi World Class Healthcare Cup, a 1200m turf handicap, was an absolute thriller

“When I heard the commentator say ‘Baroot,’ I thought to

with 13 going to post and six of them locked in battle

myself that he must have the wrong horse,” De Kock

throughout the final 50m. Not only was it exciting, but

quipped. “He’s such a game horse and always tries his

said blanket finish perfectly encapsulated the

best. He’s one of those horses who improves with each

international nature of the concert with Godolphin’s

run and it’s unbelievable how versatile he is.”

Roussel locking horns with Abrantes from Spain,

14

THORKHILL STAR TOP WINNER OF THE DAY

Austin Powers, owned by Ramadhan Stable, trained by Jaber Ramadhan and to be ridden

by Robert Tart, beat Dawn Mirage by two

GULF DAILY NEWS

lengths to win the Shaikh Hamad bin Isa bin

FAVOURITES made a clean sweep of all major

Salman Al Khalifa Cup carrying a cash prize of

races at yesterday’s horse racing at Shaikh Rashid

BD2,000 Goodwood Crusader was third and

Equestrian and Horse Racing Club in Sakhir.

and Northern Thunder fourth.

Thorkhill Star, owned by Al Adiyat Racing, trained

Gharaieb, owned by Al-Afoo Racing Stable,

by Alan Smith and ridden by Gerald Mosse, was

trained by Mohammed Saeed and ridden by P

the biggest winner of the day beating Allergic

Convertino, beat Masharif by six lengths to

Reaction to claim the Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin

win the Shaikh Abdulla bin Isa bin Salman Al

Hamad Al Khalifa Cup for imported horses which

Khalifa Cup for locally bred horses carrying a

carried the richest prize money of

cash prize of BD2,000 Shomukh was third and

BD8,000 Bartack was third and Fujaira Bridge

Wakria fourth.

fourth.

Al Hamdany 1697, owned by Safra, trained by Milyar, owned by Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla

Alan Smith and ridden by Gerald Mosse, beat

Al Khalifa, trained by James Naylor and ridden

Kuheilan Aafas 1675 by one-fourth-length to

by Tulip Fever was third and Likethelook fourth.

win the Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad

Al-Khalifa Cup for Arabian horses carrying a cash

Al Saida was third and Lazzam fourth.

prize of BD3,000Â Al Jellaby 1544 was third and

Riyada, owned by Shaikh Isa bin Abdulla Al

Kuheilaan Aafas 1695 fourth.

Khalifa, trained by James Naylor and ridden

by Brett Doyle, beat Confirm A Friend by

Emoji, owned by Victorious, trained by Alan Smith

one-and-half-a-length to win the Shaikh

and ridden by Gerald Mosse, beat Jayyash by a neck

Mohammed bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa

to win the Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Salman

Cup carrying a cash prize of BD2,500 Stevie

Al Khalifa Cup carrying a cash prize of BD2,000

G was third and Magsood fourth.

16

JEBEL ALI: GOLDEN JAGUAR ANOTHER ACE ON THE RISE FOR PHOENIX LADIES

halfway, the pair suddenly scythed through the field like a knife through butter, hitting the front inside the final 150m and pulling away to win in style for trainer Ahmad bin Harmash.

ERA Racing at Jebel Ali on Friday afternoon, the first

Beasley, completing a quick double, said: “Apart

meeting of 2019 up the famous hill, was highlighted

from that moment in the gates he was very

by a 1000m conditions race for 3-year-olds and

professional, but will certainly have learned a lot

Golden Jaguar produced a remarkable

from the experience. Having been slowly into stride

performance to win on debut. As the stalls opened,

it, actually suited in the end because he had to face

the colt by 2013 Dubai World Cup winner Animal

the kickback and that will have helped him learn to

Kingdom appeared to lean backwards, almost

race. He is a big horse and will come on a lot for

rearing and forfeiting a few lengths to his 12 rivals.

that both fitness-wise and mentally.”

Representing the same team as Thursday’s impressive winner of the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial,

Half an hour earlier, Craving provided Simon

Walking Thunder, he was given plenty of time to

Crisford with a first winner from his new Meydan

find his stride by Connor Beasley, sporting the silks

satellite yard at Millennium Stables when running

of the Phoenix Ladies Syndicate. Still last at

out the smooth winner of a 1600m handicap.

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Confidently ridden by Beasley, who tracked early

beaten three times over that course and distance

leader Invincible Strike until sweeping past him at

but relished the extra distance here to double his

the 300m pole, the pair stayed on strongly to land

career tally.

the spoils. Owned by Sultan Ali, the 4-year-old Equiano colt won once in Britain, over 1600m on

Curtis said: “He was nice and fresh at the very first

the Southwell fibresand and clearly handled the

meeting when he won over 1400m, but the

Jebel Ali surface with aplomb.

handicapper seemed to have his measure at that trip so we were keen to try him over the extra

“The team were pretty hopeful coming here and

200m. The new distance has really suited him and

have been proved right,” Beasley said. “He has

it is great for new owners to have a winner early

really taken well to the surface and handled that

on.”

sharp bend well, which not all horses do first time here. I was able to give him a breather at the top of

Proceedings kicked off with the only Purebred

the straight and he has then run on strongly to

Arabian race on the card, a 1400m conditions event

score nicely.”

in which a maximum field of 16 faced the starter but only three ever really threatened to land the

A second 1600m handicap saw the silks of Galaxy

spoils with AF Al Jahed probably never headed

Racing carried to victory for the very first time with

under Tadhg O’Shea. Always going well under the

the cosy victory of Kunani, ridden by Ben Curtis for

2017-18 champion UAE jockey, the 7-year-old was

Musabbeh Al Mheiri. A 1400m course winner at the

tracked throughout the majority of the race by

very first meeting of the season at the end of

Ghazwan Al Khalediah before his challenge petered

October, the 5-year-old Arch gelding was then

out with 300m to run. It was left to Dassan Da to

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give chase but his quest proved fruitless with the

Only six took their chance in the 1950m handicap

race in safe keeping for AF Al Jahed, who now has

and, having been slowly away and seemingly

five career victories to his name.

reluctant to race for the first 100m, Bois De Boulogne ran out a narrow winner, just doing

Trained by Ernst Oertel for Khalid Khalifa Al

enough to hold the late challenge of Gavroche with

Nabooda, he was winning for a third time at Jebel

the winner almost stopping nearing the line.

Ali and O’Shea said: “He likes it here at Jebel Ali, but that is his first win on the straight course having

Trained by Sandeep Jadhav for Ahmad Ghalita

won over 1600m and 1800m previously. He stays

Almheiri, the 5-year-old Street Cry horse was

further, so I was happy to be positive and, drawn

ridden by Xavier Ziani, as he was when winning the

16, I was happy to stay on the nearside; the fastest

equivalent race 12 months ago. Also victorious on

way home is a straight line, obviously. He was

his penultimate start, over 1700m at Sharjah, he

probably the best horse in the race, anyway, and

delighted his trainer, who said: “On his day he is a

has won reasonably comfortably in the end.”

very useful horse and credit to Xavier who knows him well. That was a very pleasing victory and we

Having supplied trainer Erwan Charpy with a

will probably bring him back to Jebel Ali for his

belated first winner of the campaign, in a 1400m

next race.”

course handicap a fortnight ago, Pinter doubled his handler’s seasonal tally with a comfortable 1200m

Ziani added: “He took me to the front almost too

handicap victory. Again ridden by Antonio Fresu,

easily and then, in the final 50m, it was getting

the 7-year-old gelding was settled just behind the

quite close because he was thinking he had done

leaders on the far side of the course before Fresu

enough.”

found a gap on the rail and the pair shot to the front 250m from home after which they never

The concluding 1600m maiden proved a

looked likely to be caught.

memorable one for trainer Helal Al Alawi with his two runners, Nizal and Compliance filling the first

“This horse loves it here at Jebel Ali and everything

two places but stable jockey, William Lee, was on

went right today,” Charpy said. “There was plenty

the runner-up with Pat Cosgrave aboard the

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of speed on our side of the track for him to follow

winner. A 4-year-old Dubawi colt, the winner was

and Antonio was able to find plenty of cover before

opening his career tally at the fifth attempt and

striking for home.”

third both for Al Alawi and at Jebel Ali having run just twice when trained in France by Freddy Head

Fresu added: “He just loves this straight course up

for His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al

the hill, but is a bit tricky at times. He has been

Maktoum, who also bred him.

running well all season and is getting his reward.”

20

SKYGAZER AIRS AT ABU DHABI

Whelan said: “He has really enjoyed the return to

ERA

the early part of the season, but am back now and

Sunday’s first race meeting of 2019 at the Abu

turf and that strong gallop they went this evening has really suited him. He is just an honest horse who tries his best and we were lucky to get in the race as second reserve. Obviously I missed a lot of hoping for a good second half of the campaign.”

Dhabi Equestrian Club was highlighted by the only Thoroughbred contest on the card, the last of six

The opening 1400m maiden attracted the

races and a 2200m handicap won fairly easily by

maximum allowed field of 14, but only two horses

Skygazer. A 7-year-old gelded son of Echo of Light,

ever realistically threatened to land the spoils with

Skygazer was originally only the second reserve,

jockey Tadhg O’Shea sending AF Rawiah straight to

but took full advantage of the late opportunity

the front and leading throughout. Having just her

presented for trainer Ali Rashid Al Rayhi and jockey

second career start, the winner had been well

Ronan Whelan. Once heading early leader Town’s

beaten on her 1200m debut and sole previous

History on the home turn, he was never going to

racecourse appearance, on the dirt at Sharjah, but

be denied a third victory of the season, a seventh

had been given a nice break since that effort in the

career success and second on turf, having also

middle of November.

won over 2200m at Jinma Lake in China during April 2017.

O’Shea was riding for his main employer, NOMADIC

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24

Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda, whose principal trainer Ernst

deserved another win. I won on him over this course

Oertel said: “We had a wide draw, so I had to take my

and distance in November and was then, on the dirt in

time cutting across but Richard Mullen rode her the first

Muscat, third on him in a good 1600m conditions race.

time at Sharjah and said she was a nice filly. She learned

It has been a very exciting few days and these are the

a lot that day under his guidance. We gave her plenty of

reasons we are jockeys; to ride these good winners.”

time after that first run and she has definitely shown the

It was then a similar story in the following 1600m

benefit of that this evening. You would like to think she

maiden in which O’Shea and Raniah looked to have the

can build on this.”

race won for Al Nabooda and Oertel, only to be collared close to home by Ben Curtis and Nathan Du Loop.

Connections wasted no time completing a course and

Having his fourth career start, the 4-year-old had two

distance double, combining 30 minutes later to land a

fruitless outings in France before making an

1400m handicap with AF Motaghatres, patiently ridden

unspectacular UAE debut, when well beaten in a 1400m

by O’Shea before grabbing the initiative early in the

maiden on the dirt at Al Ain just nine days ago. Trained

straight after which they never looked likely to be

by Al Kalbani for Ben Shahwan Arabian Horse Stables,

caught. A 1600m Abu Dhabi handicap winner three

he was ridden by Ben Curtis.

weeks ago, the winner has now won three times in 11

“He has travelled really well into the race and when I

starts and is progressing with racing.

asked him, he quickened nicely,” Curtis said. “It was a lucky spare ride for me and when they win like that, it is

“We have so many nice horses and I am just very lucky

even better.”

and grateful to be riding them for Mr. Al Nabooda and Ernst Oertel,” O’Shea said. “I actually chose not to ride

The trainer then made it three consecutive winners on

this fellow last time when he won and I was third, but

a memorable evening, saddling Syed to land the 2200m

was not making that mistake again.”

handicap with Mazur in the saddle, again, for the Omani Royal Cavalry. Settled in midfield among the 12 runners,

A rapid treble appeared likely with O’Shea and AF

Mazur encouraged his mount to close on the home

Asheham leading throughout the majority of the

turn and they swept to the front inside the final 100m

following 1600m handicap, only to be denied late on by

to win comfortably and shed his maiden tag on a fourth

Duc De Faust, ridden by Szczepan Mazur for the Omani

attempt.

Royal Cavalry and trainer Younis Al Kalbani by a neck.

Mazur said: “That was probably quite a smart Fresh from the biggest win of his career, aboard

performance in what looked a good race. He has had

Wadeeaa in the Purebred Arabian Group 1 Al Maktoum

very little racing and is still learning and a big baby who

Challenge R1 at Meydan on Thursday, Mazur is clearly

is only going to improve.”

enjoying life and said: “He has been running well and

22

THUNDER SNOW WILL AIM TO DEFEND DUBAI WORLD CUP TITLE BLOODHORSE

Snow will attempt to defend his 2018 Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1) win this spring. The plan is to debut in early March ahead of the Dubai World Cup in late March as he tries to add to his four group wins at Meydan.

After a 2018 season that saw Godolphin's Thunder Snow make his first start in January

"Thunder Snow has had an easy time so far and

and his final start in early November—earning

is doing well; happy to be back in Dubai," Bin

a placing in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1)

Suroor said. "Hopefully we can get him ready

—trainer Saeed bin Suroor has opted to ease

and run on Super Saturday in the Al Maktoum

the multiple group 1 winner into 2019.

Challenge Round 3 (G1) on Super Saturday (March 9). He had a hard season and a hard

But the top goal hasn't changed, as Thunder

race in the Breeders' Cup Classic. That's why

I gave him and Benbatl an easy time and we will get

(group 1 Jebel Hatta) is the prep for him and then the

them ready for the season. I'm not going to rush them."

Dubai Turf. Then we will go to Europe with him."

Bin Suroor also confirmed that a second half of the

Like Thunder Snow, Benbatl was last seen facing some

season similar to 2018 could be in order for Thunder

of the best horses in the world, but on the opposite side

Snow, by Helmet, with a focus on American grade 1

of the world. While Thunder Snow finished third in the

races in the summer and fall.

Breeders Cup Classic behind Accelerate , Benbatl was a game second to Winx in the William Hill Cox Plate (G1)

Bin Suroor also is preparing Godolphin's Benbatl, a

in Australia. Just two weeks prior to that effort, he won

group 1 winner on three continents, for his 2019 debut.

the Oct. 13 Ladbrokes Caulfield Stakes (G1).

Last year Benbatl won the Dubai Turf Sponsored by DP World (G1) and will aim to defend that title. "Benbatl has

"We had a very good Carnival and season last year, but

also had an easy time and is doing very good," he

we hope it is even better this year," Bin Suroor said.

continued. "Hopefully, like Thunder Snow, he will point

"That is the goal."

to Super Saturday. He's in training now and the