CARNIVAL KICKS OFF
OISIN MURPHY’s day trip to Dubai paid off with a Group Three success on Benbatl.
At Lingfield on Wednesday and back there today and tomorrow, he won the first of the two feature races at Meydan on the opening day of the Dubai Carnival.
Benbatl led home a Godolphin one-two in the Singspiel Stakes, with Charlie Appleby’s Emotionless next home in the hands of James Doyle.
Fifth in the Derby and winner of the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot, the Saeed bin Suroor-trained winner was always going well and Murphy did not have to be at all hard on him.
Improving
“He’s doing good, he’s improving all the time,” said bin Suroor. “This year we think the Dubai Turf will be the main target for him.”
Appleby, who later hit the mark with D’bai, was delighted with Emotionless’ run, telling Meydan’s Twitter account: “We’ll probably head towards the Dubai Millennium Stakes on February 22.”
Thunder Snow was expected to bring up a double for bin Suroor in the first round of the Al Maktoum Challenge but he proved no match for the ex-Mark Johnston-trained Heavy Metal. Now an eight-year-old, Heavy Metal benefited from an excellent front-running ride from Mickael Barzalona, kicking for home on the turn and stealing a crucial advantage over Thunder Snow, who coasted home for second.
Barzalona had earlier won in the same colours on Frankyfourfingers, so was the only jockey to ride two winners on the night.
Ertijaal won the opening sprint for the third year running. Jim Crowley was in control from the off and Ertijaal kept finding more to run out a cosy winner.
Angus Gold, racing manager to owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, said: “It’s fantastic to have him back as he is a big favourite of Sheikh Hamdan.”
Michael Carrick and the Manchester United team were on hand to watch the opening night action.
“This is an unbelievable place to come and watch racing,” said the club captain. “As soon as we got here, everyone in the group was like ‘whoa, this is something pretty special’.
“We’ve been here four days, and we’re going home in the morning. We’re just having a relaxing night and there’s no better way to do it.” ODUBAI CARNIVAL cards are available at www.attheraces.com/racecards.