Janoobi claims Zabeel Mile; Ertijaal impressive
DUBAI — Thursday’s eighth meeting of the 2018 Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan Racecourse was a cracker, with no less than three turf features. The evening was topped by the Group 2 $250,000 Zabeel Mile sponsored by District One Legacy and won, for a fourth time, by South African trainer Mike de Kock, who saddled winner Janoobi, as well as the third-placed Noah From Goa.
The 1,600m turf highlight appeared to be run at a good pace as 2017 winner Championship was sent to the front from his outside 10-post under Silvestre de Sousa, with the two De Kock runners in his slipstream. Early in the straight, Christophe Soumillon niggled at Noah From Goa as Janoobi, under Jim Crowley, went with his yard-mate gamely.
Owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance; Janoobi ultimately proved the bigger danger, and steadily made inroads into Championship’s lead before hitting the front inside the final 50m to win in gritty fashion by three-quarters of a length.
“I had planned to lead but Championship was able to get across us and to the front, so I was conscious to switch out off the rail, as I did not want to be stuck behind him,” Crowley said. “It actually proved ideal, because I had a nice tow from him and we went a good gallop which has suited my horse who won nicely. He has improved with each run this year and we knew we had a good chance in a competitive race.”
In the night’s opener, UAE’s top-rated horse of 2017, Ertijaal kicked off festivities well with a thrilling defence of the Group 2 175,000 Meydan Sprint sponsored by District One Greenery Stretch over a 1,000m on turf, making all for Crowley, Sheikh Hamdan and trainer Ali Rashid Al Rayhi. The son of Oasis Dream, has raced seven times over the Meydan 1,000m, suffering his sole defeat in the 2016 Al Quoz Sprint, now a 1,200m race, and setting the track record in this race 12 months ago.
Well-regarded Charlie Appleby trainee Blue Point, racing over a 1000m for the first time, loomed as a big danger 300m out under William Buick.