Friday, February 26 2010
Terrific relishes the Challenge
The Satish Seemar-trained Terrific Challenge won the featured 1000m conditions race, kindly sponsored by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum's Derrinstown Stud, at Jebel Ali on Friday afternoon.
A prep race for the Listed Jebel Ali Sprint on 19th March, that will be his next target according to his handler: "He will come back for the Sprint itself as there is not much else for him – five furlongs is his trip. He has had a few problems certainly but is very capable on his day." Richard Mullen was in the saddle.
Thursday, February 25 2010
Impenetrable to hold rivals at bay
Friday's Jebel Ali meeting is highlighted by a 1000m conditions race, kindly sponsored by the Shadwell organisation of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The maximum of 16 have been declared but only a handful would appear to hold realistic chances of winning. These include the two who head the weights and Impenetrable, a course and distance winner trained by Ali Rashid Al Raihe and to be ridden by Royston Ffrench, could be hard to beat. He shares top weight with Mannjal, trained on the course by Dhruba Selvaratnam but probably better over further.
Wednesday, February 24 2010
Barton’s Deem eyes Balanchine
Thursday's seventh meeting of the 2010 Dubai International Racing Carnival, which is an eight race all Thoroughbred affair, is kindly sponsored by Meydan and sees the Group Three Balanchine Stakes, the Listed UAE Oaks and the second running of the DRC Gold Cup.
Eight are set to go to post for the Balanchine with Godolphin's Aspectoflove appearing the one to beat in the 1800m turf race restricted to fillies and mares. She finished in front of four of her rivals when a narrow second in the Cape Verdi, over 1600m and this extra 200m looks ideal for the mount of Frankie Dettori. Trainer Saeed Bin Suroor said: "We were very pleased with that first run and she has been working well since. She should run a big race."
Monday, February 22 2010
Al Ketbi and Smith in treble form at Abu Dhabi
It was a memorable evening at Abu Dhabi on Sunday or trainer Bakhit Al Ketbi and jockey Wayne Smith who combined to register a treble, highlighted by the victory of Grp Baghdad in the featured 1600m handicap.
Settled in midfield, he was taken to the front by Smith with over 200m left to run and the pair never looked likely to be caught to the delight of Smith who said: “It has been a great night and this horse seldom runs a bad race. I was always going nicely and he quickened well when I asked him.”
Saturday, February 20 2010
Abu Dhabi latest
A busy season on the Abu Dhabi turf continues on Sunday with a six race card highlighted by a 1600m Purebred Arabian handicap which has attracted a select field of seven.
Gill Duffield appears to hold the key to the race saddling two of the runners and El Rigoletto, who heads the weights under Tadhg O’Shea makes a lot of appeal as a probable winner.
Monday, February 15 2010
Arabian Derby delight for Simpson
The UAE Arabian Derby was the highlight of Sunday’s six race Abu Dhabi card and the 2200m feature was won in style by Seraphin Du Paon on his racecourse debut for Rod Simpson.
William Buick was in the saddle on the 4yo who was held up in mid division before being unleashed as the runners turned into the straight.
Saturday, February 13 2010
Abu Dhabi to host UAE Arabian Derby and Emirates Fillies’ Classic on Sunday
Sunday's Abu Dhabi meeting is a six race card highlighted by both the UAE Arabian Derby and the Emirates Fillies' Classic.
Ten have been declared for the Derby, over 2200m, including Doug Watson's Quite A Show who, rated 100, is by far the highest-rated runner in the field and the mount of Richard Hills he should run a big race.
Friday, February 12 2010
Double delight at Jebel Ali for Seemar and Moore
Satish Seemar and Ryan Moore were in double form at Jebel Ali on Friday afternoon with Ibn Al Nafis taking pride of place after running out the emphatic winner of the featured 1600m handicap.
The four year-old has now won all his three starts and could well be Meydan bound after his facile victory and Moore was impressed: "He is a nice horse and could have a bright future. He definitely deserves a step up in class."
Thursday, February 11 2010
International flavour at Jebel Ali on Friday
Racing returns to Jebel Ali on Friday for a six race card highlighted by a 1600m handicap sponsored by the Shadwell organisation of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. A competitive race has attracted the maximum field of 16 with Ryan Moore taking the ride on Satish Seemar's Ibn Al Nafis who is bidding to remain unbeaten having won both his first two starts.
Moore said: 'This looks a lot harder than the races he has won but he is clearly progressive and it is a nice spare ride."
Monday, February 08 2010
Deeb takes home HH The President’s Cup
Sunday was Abu Dhabi's biggest meeting of the season and the AED1,000,000 Group One HH The President's Cup for Purebred Arabians was won by Jarnin under Richard Mullen and for trainer Saifaldin Deeb who has enjoyed a remarkable season.
It was a first local start for the winner who ran on strongly to deny Vire Volte in a thrilling finish to 2200m feature the delight of Mullen who said: "His European form was good and with the Deeb string going so well we were hoping for a big run. It is a great prize to win and a real highlight of my time in the UAE."
Saturday, February 06 2010
Strong field for HH The President’s Cup
Sunday's Abu Dhabi card is arguably the best of the season thus far in the Capital with the Group One AED1,000,000 HH The President's Cup for Purebred Arabians taking centre stage.
Sponsored by Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, the 2200m feature has attracted a maximum field of 14 and looks wide open.
Monday, February 01 2010
Royal shows his Class
Gill Duffield saddled the first ever winner at Meydan with No Risk Al Maury and her string remain in good form as illustrated by Royal Class who landed the 1600m handicap.
Given a patient ride by Tadhg O'Shea, who clearly did not want to hit the front too soon, Royal Class collared perennial bridesmaid close home to the delight of his jockey who said: "He is a nice horse and can hopefully build on this. His best form is very good but he is just a bit tricky."
