Cool & easy before action heats up
The world’s richest horse race returns to the Meydan complex today. There will be plenty on offer as usual when the 21st running of the $30 million extravaganza — covering nine races from 3.45pm to 9pm on traditional dirt and turf tracks — takes place at the iconic centre in Dubai. Six to seven meetings go towards the buildup during a season before the $10 million DWC showdown race takes place where the final event — the Dubai World Cup — kicks off at 9pm.
For race pickings on Saturday evening/ night, spectators can try the Pick 6 competition where entry is free and you can win cash prizes. Race cards and form guides are available in all the leading newspapers and the official websites in the UAE. Mega superstar Janet Jackson will be performing live after the last race from approximately 9.30pm. All of us know her as a Grammy Award winning multi-platinum selling singer songwriter. Her 2015 album
became her seventh US number one. Janet will be taking to the stage on March 26, just before her European leg of the Unbreakable World Tour. In 2015, Kylie Minogue kept us rocking and Jennifer Lopez in 2014. As usual there will be plenty for the fashion buffs. Fascinating hats, dresses and suits of various kinds will all be present again for another great night of fun and entertainment.
Naturally the prize for the best dressed visitors will be followed with a lot of interest. They will compete in a fashion contest that presents prizes to the best dressed men, women and couples, and last but not the least, the most creative hat.
NO casualwear, shorts, jeans, and flimsy outfits will be entertained especially at the Meydan Grandstand.
moni@khaleejtimes.com
Apart from the $10 million sanctioned for the Dubai World Cup main race tonight, the rest of the $20 million on offer as prize money will go to the rest of the eight races for the day, starting at 3.45pm. The cooler weather, afforded by the lowering of temperatures on Friday morning when it fell to 16 degrees centigrade, will help in the runners gaining higher levels during the weekend.
For the Group 1$6m Dubai Sheema Classic, presented by Longines — 2,410m over turf, French bred Dariyan has been at the Meydan complex for a few weeks, and he has come onto the main track looking formidable. Antoine Creton, travelling head lad, told media: “Dariyan is well and just did a canter this weekend.”
Trainer of Gailo Chop (France), Antoine de Watrigant, was on hand to watch him casually go once round the main track: He said: “I wasn’t happy when I saw him last in the yard, as he didn’t look great. But everyone told me that it had been extremely humid and that none of the horses really liked it.”
Irish bred Postponed, formerly trained by Luca Cumani, the now Roger Varian inmate, had a breeze around the training track after a spin on the main grass track.
“He looks to be one of the leading mile-anda-half horses in the world,” said Varian. “He is an exciting horse to have in the yard and it is a privilege for me to have a King George winner in my care.”
Nest in line for the stakes on offer — Group 1 $6m Dubai Turf sponsored by DP World 1,800m — saw Flamboyant (France) — gallop on the training track with exercise rider Helen Isler aboard. Trainer Paddy Gallagher instructed Isler to let the bay son of Peer Gynt increase his cruising speed in preparation for Saturday’s race.
“I told her to let him pick it up a bit the last quarter-mile (400m),” said Gallagher.
Ireland bred The Corsican, trained by David Simcock, cleared quarantine on Tuesday and after two mornings on the training track he ventured out onto the main track this weekend.
Jennie, Simock’s wife, said: “Sheikhzayedroad (Dubai Sheema Classin entry) led him in his work and they covered 1,400 metres. It was just a leg stretch. He is a laid-back horse and has taken to being here fine.”
Four-year-old Intilaaq, UK bred, after appearing on the main track earlier, was kept to the training track for light exercise.
In Group 1 $2m Dubai Golden Shaheen action over 1,200m of dirt, Confrontation (USA) galloped 2,400m and will leave from post position eight on tonight. “That’s just fine for him,” trainer Kiaran McLaughlin said.
X Y Jet (USA) — Came out for a leisurely jog over the Meydan main track and, according to trainer Jorge Navarro, he would merely walk in the later exercises.
Lady Shipman (USA) galloped 2,000m in a practice run and will leave from post 13 on Saturday night, in the Group 1 $1m Al Quoz Sprint sponsored by Meydan Hotels and Hospitality, over 1,000m of turf.
Trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, said: “Our strategy becomes simple. We are on the outside and we will go that way.”
Lady Shipman is a new addition to the McLaughlin stable, and he is thrilled to have her.
“She was second in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint and we got her on January 1,” McLaughlin said.
In the Group 2 $2m UAE Derby sponsored by The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group over 1,900m, Frank Conversation (USA) has a supremely confident assistant trainer Leandro Mora who has established a comfortable routine for the colt.
“We had a normal gallop,” said Mora. “And we will have a normal gallop later. And that’s going to be it.”
Vazirabad, bred in France, was part of the French contingent that came onto the main track at Meydan early during the week in preps for the Group 2 $1m Dubai Gold Cup sponsored by Al Tayer Motors.
Antoine Creton, travelling head lad, said: “Vazirabad jogged and then went for a slow canter once round the track. We are not going to change the routine.”
For the Group 2 $1m Godolphin Mile event sponsored by Meydan Sobha over 1,600m on dirt, Marking (USA) and Sloane Avenue (USA) look sound bets.
The first race of the day at 3.45pm — Group 1 (purebred Arabians) $1m Dubai Kahayla Classic empowered by IPIC, 2,000m, again on dirt — sees TM Thunder Struck (US); French bred Handassa; and UK bred Mahess as potential top of the podium finishers.