Monday, March 08 2010
El Rigoletto finds the oasis
Sunday's Abu Dhabi card was highlighted by the Group 1 Liwa Oasis, a 1400m contest which produced a thrilling finish between El Rigoletto and Quaolina, both owned by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
However, it was El Rigoletto, trained by Gill Duffield and ridden by Tadhg O'Shea in the second colours who prevailed from last year's winner, Quaolina, under Richard Hills.
Sunday, March 07 2010
Quaolina and Jarnin to battle for Liwa Oasis on Sunday
The 1400m Group 1 Liwa Oasis is the undoubted highlight of Sunday's Abu Dhabi card and features an intriguing clash between last year's winner Quaolina, trained by Doug Watson and the mount of Richard Hills, and HH The President's Cup winner Jarnin.
The latter will be ridden by Richard Mullen for trainer Saifaldin Deeb who string have been in fantastic form all season but he is taking a significant drop in trip considering his big race win last time, on his UAE bow, was over 2200m.
Wednesday, March 03 2010
International super Thursday of stars
Derrinstown Stud, the Irish arm of the breeding operation of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum sponsors the Super Thursday meeting, the seven race card designed as the ideal preparation for Dubai World Cup night on Saturday 27th March.
The night's features are the concluding rounds of the Al Maktoum Challenge, both over 2000m but to be run on the all weather track for the first time. The Group 1 Purebred Arabian version opens the card and there has to be every chance the sponsor will maintain his 100% strike rate in Purebred Arabian races at Meydan.
Monday, March 01 2010
Oman takes second leg of Arabian Triple Crown
The middle leg of the Arabian Triple Crown was the feature at Abu Dhabi on Sunday evening and the prize went to Oman with the Philippe Barbe-trained Al Charif able to concede weight all round.
David Badel was in the saddle and it was the second time in three weeks that the colours of the Omani Royal Cavalry had been carried to Abu Dhabi victory.
Saturday, February 27 2010
Second round of Arabian Triple Crown to take place on Sunday
Sunday's six race card on the Abu Dhabi turf features the middle round of the Arabian Triple Crown and the valuable prize may well go to Oman.
Nine have been declared for the 2200m feature, but Al Charif, trained in Oman by Philippe Barbe, looks the one to beat being a Group One winner in Europe.
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.
