Dubai Carnival kicks off on Thursday.

Looking forward to JJ showing the 120 rating he's got isn't high enough...

'Legs too short' LOL!

They won't say that when they watch them fly past 'em!

All the best JJ the CHAMP!!!

That Bright Spark was talking about you Lucky!!!

LOL! GB

Now that I can agree with Dbl-lol!!

SHort or long legs. His dtermination, guts and heart more than enough to show the rest of the world what a JET MASTER colt can do!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO JJ GO!!!!

seb vances ten to follow(who is he?)

Banknote (Andrew Balding)
May not be contesting the very best races, but looks a likely handicap winner. Trainer Andrew Balding had nominated The Queen’s contender for the last two Carnivals, before setbacks struck, and believes the Group 3 winner can strike off a favourable mark of 100.

Big City Man (Jerry Barton)
A winner of three of his four starts in the States, Big City Man was having his first outing since August 2007, when landing a 1200m conditions Sprint at Nad Al Sheba on January 8. He made all that day and looks to have a big future over sprints on dirt.

JJ The Jet Plane (Mike De Kock)
The South African trainer has made no secret of his affection for the champion sprinter, brilliantly-named after an American cartoon character. A winner of seven of his 10 starts in his homeland last season, including when coasting home in the prestigious Mercury Sprint last up. The sky is the limit.

King’s Gambit (Herman Brown)
King’s Gambit , a winner of two of South Africa’s biggest Grade 1 races, the SA Classic and the SA Derby, will be hoping to emulate stablemate 2008 Dubai Duty Free winner Jay Peg and make his mark over similar distances. One of Brown’s big hopes.

Mourilyan (Herman Brown)
Rose to prominence at the 2008 Carnival, with two wins and a second, but has not delivered since. Needs the cards to fall his way, as he needs a strong gallop and comes from well off the pace. Is highly regarded though, has bags of potential and this could be his year.

Paco Boy (Richard Hannon)
“He’s a superstar. He’ll win the Breeders’ Cup,” were Christophe Soumillon’s comments following his Prix de la Foret win. He never got the chance to run in America, but can make his mark in Dubai. The Dubai Duty Free looks the ultimate target, providing he can stay the 1,777m.

Pointing North (Satish Seemar)
Former UAE champion trainer Satish Seemar has endured a dismal couple of seasons, but this ex-South African miler could turn things around for him. A winner of the South Africa Cape Guineas at Kenilworth last year, he has the form to make his mark on the top mile races.

Purple Moon (Luca Cumani)
You might not get rich backing him, but make no mistake Luca Cumani is desperate for his star to make his mark in Dubai. The plan to send him to the 2009 DIRC was first revealed in September, and work-watchers described the horse as in perfect condition under Francesca Cumani at Nad Al Sheba last week.

Rocks Off (Mike De Kock)
The Argentine import was described as “the real deal” by Mike De Kock following his win in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes at Clairwood in July. Will look to emulate stablemates Honour Devil and Asiatic Boy by dominating the UAE three-year-old division.

Yahrab (Saeed bin Suroor)
Completed a hat-trick of wins with a three-quarter-length defeat of Baharah in the Listed Churchill Stakes at Lingfield in November and has subsequently joined Godolphin from Clive Brittain. Looks best over a mile and a quarter and comes here relatively fresh following a long mid-season break.

MDK trainer quotes: taken from Betfair.

Archipenko: High class. 1 run then the Duty Free

Eagle Mountain: Always knew he had the class. Sheema the most likely target as we know he stays 12 furlongs.

Asiatic Boy - Hated England last year and that stop his progress. Much happier this time around...World Cup his target..watch for him in the 2nd ans 3rd rounds of the Maktoum Challenge.

Bankable - Being rested since his tough schedule at Cumani's...watch for him later in the carnival.

Blues and Rock - could be a derby horse.

Honour Devil - The Burj on Super Thursday the target!

Royal Vintage - will have a Maktoum Challenge campaign

Stubbs Art - Had a busy season so will have a break. The Duty Free is his target but he will be geared up towards a EUROPEAN CAMPAIGN.

Obviously gets a discount from Coolmore now because:

King of Naples- Dark horse...still discovering

King of Rome - Lovely horse...Plenty left to work on. Sheema Classic

Macarthur - Full brother to Motivator. He has a lot of scope and Sheema classic is his target.

Trinity college - bought to go racing on DIRT!

Zulu Chief - LONG TERM PROJECT...watch for him at the backend of the the Carnival.

Two others that are very interesting:

JJ THE JETPLANE - He's a real serious sprinter back in South Africa. Quaratine rules cost him a run in Hong Kong. Hopefully should go on dirt so the Golden Shaheen his no1 target.

Rocks Off - Champion Juvenile in South Africa. Half Bruv of Gold for Sale that ran away with the UAE2000Guineas. CLASSICS are the target.

Hunting Tower - One of the older brigade from South Africa but a genuine grade 1 performer. Romped home in the Duban July in 2007. This fella will know his job inside out...watch for him during the carnival in races between 11 and 13 furlongs.

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I get the feeling he thinks Macartur hasnt been putting it all in and that he can make him realise his potential.

Nothing overly great to report from the other stables...except that Midshipman has wintered well and will win the Classics over there before going to Kentucky for the big one. Godolphin have also purchased Gayego but havent decided on his target as yet. really fear for them...its the same old horses from last year.

Luca Cumani is preparing Purple Moon for the Sheema and both Swop and Previs is being laid out for a tilt at all the big handicaps throughout the Carnival.

MERCHANT MARINE could prove to be the one for the World Cup. Trained now by Doug Watson....was beaten only 4.5 lengths by Curlin in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. Supposedly training well and described by Doug as an absolute Monster.

and...Ismael Mohammed is back!! will have a few horses. so expect some 25/1 bombs to be flying in from him.

Duty Free winner Jay Peg runs on Thursday


DUBAI Duty Free winner Jay Peg adds a real touch of class to Thursday's meeting at the Dubai Carnival, which is likely to feature a nine-race card after a massive entry and the addition of two extra turf races.

The designated highlight is the Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint, but the $200,000 contest may have to share top billing with the 71/2f turf handicap in which Jay Peg is set to reappear for Herman Brown.

The trainer is looking for a hat-trick in the $175,000 event after scoring with Great Rhythm and Linngari.

Jay Peg, who hasn't run since taking the Group 1 Singapore Airlines International Cup in May, will have to concede weight all round and Brown expects him to improve for the outing.

"He is certainly not 100 per cent fit but that is part of the reason for running him to continue his preparation," said Brown.

"As we saw last year he is a horse who tends to need a run or two and he has been off since his win in Singapore back in May. Obviously he is a year older and we expect him to come on a lot for the outing but he worked well at the weekend and I like running horses fresh over short of their best. I would be hopeful rather than confident."

The Al Shindagha Sprint over 6f on dirt will feature a clash between recent Nad Al Sheba winners Big City Man and Force Freeze.

The latter's trainer Doug Watson will also saddle Barbecue Eddie, fourth in last year's Golden Shaheen, one place behind the Rashed Bouresly-trained Star Crowned, who reopposes.

The former Richard Hannon-trained Asset could make his dirt debut for Saeed Bin Suroor, while Mike De Kock, who won the race last year with Asiatic Boy, has entered Diana's Choice. Dandy Nicholls has two possibles in Strike Up The Band and Northern Fling.

Balthazaar's Gift, who has joined Rod Simpson from Luca Cumani, heads the weights for the 61/2f turf handicap, in which the Joanna Morgan-trained Miss Gorica will bid for a quick follow-up after last week's victory.

With 43 entered and a maximum field of only 12, this race looks set to divide.

Fullback 'fit and ready' to take on De Kock trio

Preview: Nad Al Sheba, Thursday

3.25 Ford Flex Trophy 7f


Mike De Kock, trainer of Rocks Off, Indiscutible and Blues And Rock

"Rocks Off is the classy one but he has a massive penalty as a Group 1 winner and has to prove himself on dirt. Blues And Rock gets weight from the other pair, while Indiscutible shows little at home but has good form in Chile."

Doug Watson, trainer of Classic Blade

"The trip and surface are the obvious queries but he is in good form at home and we will know where to go with him after tonight."

Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of Desert Party and Regal Ransom

"They both have good form in the States and ran in Group 1s on their last starts. Desert Party has a penalty but has been going nicely, as has Regal Ransom. We like both, and hope they have a touch of class."

Kevin Manning, rider of Ard Na Greine

"Obviously the dirt is a big question mark as it is a lot different to the Polytrack at Dundalk, where he won. He was progressing nicely at home, though, and is a nice prospect."

Stan Moore, trainer of Fullback

"The horse is in good form and we worked him round Lingfield before he came over, so he is fit and ready. He is not short of pace and has the potential to run a nice race. It will be difficult to beat the Mike de Kock trio, as they are all a year older andlook like good animals."

Karl Burke, trainer of Keeptheboatafloat

"He has been working really well on the dirt and he is US-bred, so it should be right up his street. I would be hopeful if he takes too it."

Herman Brown, trainer of Redding Colliery

"I am hoping for a decent run as he has been working well on the dirt, which he is bred to appreciate."

David Nicholls, trainer of Versaki

"He's another making his debut for the yard and did win first time as a juvenile, so goes well fresh. The dirt is an unknown and everyone tells me this is a strong heat."




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Tough Drift Ice helped bylow draw in repeat bid


Preview: Nad Al Sheba, Thursday

3.55 Land Rover Trophy 6 1/2f

Richard Mullen, rider of Contest

"I sat on him yesterday and he has only been here a few days, having wonon the 10th for David Simcock, though he represents Greece here. I have spoken to David, and he seems a straightforward type of horse who likes to be held up."

Erwan Charpy, trainer of Munaddam

"He disappointed a bit at Abu Dhabi but seems to be coming back to his best - he will need to in an open contest."

Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of Asset

"We decided to run here not in the dirt feature and he has been going well, but he will certainly improve for the outing."

Kevin Shea, rider of Drift Ice

"We won this last year and his low draw will help. He is tough and consistent but has no secrets from the handicapper."

Ted Durcan, rider of Miss Gorica

"That was a great win last week and Joanna [Morgan] is convinced she will have improved for that run, so we should go well but this is a stronger race."

David Nicholls, trainer of Buachaill Dona

"He seems in great form but, like with all my runners' first races, this will be the proof."

Roman Martin Sanchez, trainer of Flying Blue

"We were disappointed not to run last week so are really looking forward to it. We only ran in December and have done plenty of work since arriving."

Keagan Latham, rider of Leandros

"I sat on him yesterday and he seemed in good order."




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Moore: Jay Peg has to go close in this company


Preview: Nad Al Sheba, Thursday

4.25 Jaguar XF Trophy 71/2f


Ryan Moore rider of Jay Peg

"We have won this race the last two years with Great Rhythm and Linngari, and Jay Peg has perhaps scared away some of the opposition. He took a few runs to show his very best last year but has to go close in this company."

Mike De Kock, trainer of Biarritz

"Obviously Jay Peg will be hard to beat but ours is decent, though he hasbeen off for a while and will come on for the run."

Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of Calming Influence

"His Newmarket win in May worked out well and conditions look ideal. He will improve for the outing but goes well fresh, and should give a good account in a good race."

David Nicholls, trainer of Jack Junior

"This will be his first start for us and we will learn a bit but we know he likes Dubai and we have the dirt option open to us, as he was second in the UAE Derby two years ago."

4.55 Ford Mustang Trophy 1m1/2f - Click here for card

Ralph Beckett, trainer of Without A Prayer

"He is in good form and travelled well; we are looking forward to running him. We are experimenting with him on dirt but he has won on the Polytrack twice. The draw is okay and we will see how he shapes up."

5.25 Range Rover Trophy 1m4f - Click here for card

Mark Johnston, trainer of Love Galore

"We've been keen to run him, Love Galore was first reserve last week but didn't make it so first and foremost it's good to get a run into him. He has a perfect draw on the inside, ashe can be covered up."

Karl Burke, trainer of Big Robert

"He would be my best chance of a winner on the card. He likes to come from behind and the turf track allows a horse to do that. I think the race will suit."

Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of Captain Webb and Colony

"Captain Webb has really thrived in the sunshine since he arrived in Dubai and is a horse we hope can progress. Colony is also working well and has proven himself in competitive handicaps with his Royal Ascot win."

Johnston hoping Drill can overcome bad draw

Preview: Nad Al Sheba, Thursday

5.55 Al Tayer Motors Trophy 1m2f

Ryan Moore, rider of Presvis

"He really impressed me when I won on him at Newbury and am delighted to maintain the partnership. I rode him work on Saturday and he went well, so we have to be there with a chance, but with 16 runners luck will always play its part."

Mark Johnston, trainer of Drill Sergeant

The draw is disappointing for Drill Sergeant, but hopefully Frankie [Dettori] can overcome it."

Ted Durcan, rider of Varsity

"Charlie [Swan] is certain she will have improved for a promising run last week and she must have a squeak, but the wide draw is not ideal."

David Nicholls, trainer of Munsef

"He's another one making his debut for us and we are learning about him. His form is good, though, and conditions should suit."

Kevin Manning, rider of Via Galilei

"His form at home is solid and this is probably his optimum trip, but it looks a very competitive heat."

Erwan Charpy, trainer of Great Plains and Before You Go

"Both have some kind of chance but Great Plains is one of those horses for whom everything needs to fall right. Before You Go is far better than he was able to show last week."

Doug Watson, trainer of Royal Prince and Dr Faustus

"Royal Prince has been great coming back from injury and will run another big race, with luck. It is Dr Faustus's first start for us but we like him a lot."