Dubai Carnival kicks off on Thursday.

Terrific Challenge can go well with conditions ideal


Preview: Nad Al Sheba, Thursday

6.25 Group 3 Al Shindagha Sprint 6f


David Nicholls, trainer of Strike Up The Band and Northern Fling

"They have settled in well but everyone keeps telling me this is a very hot renewal and they both need to prove themselves on the dirt. Adrian (son) rides Strike Up The Band, who is probably the best chance."

Ted Durcan, rider of Terrific Challenge

"We know the conditions are ideal but this is a lot better race than the won he won last time. He would have to run to his very best to trouble some of these, but he is in great form and can go well in a very strong race."

Royston Ffrench, rider of Sea Hunter

"He is a course and distance winner but faces a stiff task in a quality renewal."

Mike De Kock, trainer of Diana's Choice

"She has yet to run on dirt but is working well on it. Force Freeze and Big City Man were both very impressive winning their races, though, and will be hard to beat. I would be happy with a place."

Richard Mullen, rider of Salaam Dubai

"His very best form would give him a chance and he is coming back to something like his best, but this looks a really strong heat with several who look sure to be World Cup night horses - as it was in 2007."

Stephane Chevalier, assistant to Jerry Barton, trainer of Big City Man

"He delighted us when winning on his UAE debut after a long break and he has thrived since; this race was his main early target, and we are aiming him at the Golden Shaheen on World Cup night."

Rashed Boursley, trainer of Star Crowned and League Champion

"Star Crowned has been great over the last year and seems very well at home. A repeat of his Golden Shaheen third would see him go close, and he is reunited with Mick Kinane. League Champion is quick but his best efforts have been at Jebel Ali, which is a concern."

Doug Watson, trainer of Force Freeze and Barbecue Eddie

"We have two live chances in an openrace; Force Freeze has delighted since he arrived and we were very pleased with his win. Barbecue Eddie has not been here as long and will improve for the run, but he worked very well last week."

Ahmed Ajtebi, rider of Ekhtiaar

"The horse is in good form but this is a stiff task.

Durcan has 'big chance' on 'great spare ride'

Preview: Nad Al Sheba, Thursday

6.55 Al Tayer Motors 1600 1m

Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of Alexandros

"He came to us from France last year and ran some very good races in top company. He won once (at Bath) and this mile appears his best trip. He is working well and should be thereabouts."

Ted Durcan, rider of Swop

"He is a great spare ride and must have a big chance judged on his UK form; I just wish I was drawn lower on a hold-up horse in a 16-runner field but, hopefully, the race will be run to suit."

Doug Watson, trainer of Prince Shaun and T-Bird

"T-Bird surprised us all by winning over course and distance on New Year's Day and, if in the same mood, would have a big chance. Prince Shaun is a new recruit with some good form in Ireland, and we are hoping he will be a valuable addition to the team."

David Nicholls, trainer of Royal Power

"He finally won for us at Great Leighs last time, and has course and distance form for Mick Channon two years ago. He has enjoyed the sunshine and seems fit and well."

Richard Mullen, rider of Noble Citizen

"He is an uncomplicated horse who likes to race prominently, which may not be easy from stall 14. He is an honest type though and if we can get competitive early, he could run well, but probably he has to improve on what he has achieved in avery competitive heat.

Big City Man scores for Saudi in Al Shindagha

Nad Al Sheba: Al Shindagha Sprint (Group 3) 6f dirt

SAUDI ARABIAN-trained Big City Man lived up to a big reputation when taking the Al Shindagha Sprint, the Group 3 highlight of a mammoth nine-race card at Nad Al Sheba on Thursday.

Representing Riyadh-based trainer Jerry Barton, the former US-based four-year-old was sent off 7-4 favourite after an impressive course-and-distance victory two weeks ago.

Never far off the pace under jockey Jose Verenzuela, Big City Man hit the front about halfway and ran on strongly, always holding the challenge of Mick Kinane on Star Crowned.

The winning margin was three-quarters of a length and the Golden Shaheen now beckons on World Cup night.



"I am delighted as there is always the worry he would ‘bounce' having his second run off a long break," said Barton.

"But he has done that really well and we will look at the Mahab Al Shimaal on Super Thursday and the Golden Shaheen."

Arguably the most impressive winner of the night was the well-backed Desert Party, who beat Godolphin stablemate Regal Ransom in the 7f Ford Flex Trophy conditions race onthe dirt.

A $50,000 event framed as a trial for the UAE Classics, this race has been won in the last two seasons by Mike De Kock's subsequent UAE Derby winners Asiatic Boy and Honour Devil.

desert party dubai 22 Jan 09



Although De Kock saddled three runners this time, none of them made the places behind the Saeed Bin Suroor one-two, both of whom were transferred to the Dubai team from American stables.

Desert Party raced just off the pace before being sent on a brave run up the inner by Frankie Dettori two furlongs out, after which he kept on well enough to hold Regal Ransom by a helf-length.

"He has tired close home and will have needed that but he is a nice horse," said Bin Suroor. "We will look at the UAE 2,000 Guineas now."

Bin Suroor and Dettori later completed their second double of the carnival with Alexandros in the concluding 1m handicap.

Britain on scoresheet as Presvis lands gamble


BRITAIN got off the mark for the 2009 Dubai Carnival when the hot favourite Presvisran out a decisive winner of the 1m2f Al Tayer Motors turf handicap under Ryan Moore at Nad Al Sheba on Thursday night.

Luca Cumani was saddling his first winner at the carnival with the five-year-old, a well-backed 10-11 shot who looks more than a ready for a step up in grade.
Jockey Ryan Moore



Presvis was ridden with confidence by Moore, who settled him in mid-division before angling out after turning for home.

Once switched to challenge, he powered clear to win by a comfortable three-and-a half lengths from Yaddree, who had to be switched wide after being a denied a run up the inner.

Moore had also ridden Presvis to a seven-length victory at Newbury on his previous outing.

"I liked the horse at Newbury and was pleased the way he worked on Saturday," he said. "However, that was a great performance as he has travelled like a very nice horse and quickened well."

Francesca Cumani was representing her father. "Dad has gone home having flown out to watch them work on Saturday," she said.

"We will need to talk before we make plans but we could have to step him up in class as the handicapper will have to react."

The Cumani team were out of luck later on when Lincoln favourite Swop, short of room two furlongs out, was never able to land a blow in the Al Tayer Motors 1600 Handicap.

The race went to Alexandros, who was providing the second leg of another double for the Godolphin team of Frankie Dettori and Saeed Bin Suroor.

First-season trainer Mubarak Bin Shafya matched Bin Suroor as he also completed his second double of the carnival with Gladiatorus and Gravitas.

Both were ridden by Ahmed Ajtebi, who has three winners to his name already at this year's carnival.

Gladiatorus, a champion juvenile in Italy two years ago, was reappearing after a lay-off of 466 days in the 7½f Jaguar XF Trophy turf handicap, in which he made virtually all - and broke the track record in the process.
Jockey Ahmed Ajtebi



Last year's Dubai Duty Free winner JayPeg led briefly leaving the stalls - he fizzled out tamely in the end - but Ajtebi soon had his mount in front, kicking clear three furlongs out.

"The horse has some very good form and I was allowed an easy lead," said Ajtebi. "He responded bravely and he is a nice horse - perhaps a World Cup night horse."

Trainer and jockey completed their double when Gravitas landed the Range Rover Trophy over 1m4f with a telling late challenge.

Class prevailed in the Jaguar XK Trophy, the opening 6½f turf handicap, in which the Mike De Kock-trained Hunting Tower, a multiple Group 1 winner in South Africa, ran on too strongly for long-time leader Instant Recall over a trip short of his best.

Winning jockey Kevin Shea explained: "I was always happy just behind the leaders as he has a nice turn of foot as you just saw."



Carnival regular Munaddam, a dual winner for Ed Dunlop two years ago, is now with local trainer Erwan Charpy, for whom he won the second 6½f turf handicap, The Land Rover Trophy, under Richard Hills.

Hills settled his mount in rear before steering through traffic to lead over a furlong out. "He has to be ridden like that and he has picked up well," said Hills.

Trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe and jockey Royston Ffrench were presented with their trophies as for winning the Winter Racing Challenge championships and promptly celebrated with the victory of Glen Nevis in the Ford Mustang Trophy.

Settled in rear,Ffrench asked his mount to close three furlongs out and collared stable companion Aamaaq close home - denying Richard Hills a double.

Frrench said: "This trip I very much his minimum so I knew he would run on strongly. It is a great result for a small yard."

watched Francesca Cumani receive the prize for Presvis win last night, hope he wins again and again as Francesca is an absolute stunner.

have to agree Alan.

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GOD - a 'I'll lose it all 4 u' type of woman - grrrrggghhh!!!