DUBAI Thursday 19th February

Sorry bout J Peg Puffin but he done you guys proud man! That track is not easy on the legs.

Dubai World Cup fancy Daiwa Scarlet retired


JAPANESE racing has been shocked by the retirement of superstar racemare Daiwa Scarlet, who was being primed to run in the Dubai World Cup.

The four-time Group 1 winner, generally 5-1 third favourite for the world's richest race, has suffered a leg injury.

Daiwa Scarlet was due to make her first start on dirt on Sunday in the Grade 1 February Stakes in Tokyo.

However, on Monday the Japan Racing Association announced that the hugely talented five-year-old had been diagnosed with superficial flexor tendonitis and she will now become a broodmare.

"It's a shame that this great horse has to retire," said trainer Kunihide Matsuda. "I look forward to her children in the future."

News of Daiwa Scarlet's retirement is not just a blow to Japanese racing but to the Dubai World Cup, a race not looking overburdened with star performers this year.

A byword for consistency, she won eight of her 12 career starts and finishing second in the other four.

In 2007 she was Japan's champion three-year-old filly, her victories including the Oka Sho (Japanese 1,000 Guineas), Shuka Sho and Queen Elizabeth Cup.

In both the Oka Sho and Shuka Sho, she defeated Derby winner Vodka, with whom she developed a celebrated rivalry.

Daiwa Scarlet's 2008 campaign was interrupted with eye and splint injuries but she came back in the autumn and ended the season with her greatest performance in a fornt-running victory in the end-of-season grand prix, the Arima Kinen.

Having run her rivals ragged, she became the first female in 37 years to win the famed Nakayama finale.

Carnival winner Silver Mist ruled out for season


SILVER MIST, winner of a 71/2f turf handicap on the opening night of the Dubai Carnival before following up in style by winning the Group 3 Al Rashidiya over 1m1f, also on grass, will miss the rest of the campaign and probably year.

The son of Western Winter fractured a cannon bone when working at Nad Al Sheba this week, according to his trainer Mike De Kock: "Obviously it is very unfortunate and a great shame as he has arguably been our star so far, but he has fractured a cannon bone and there is no speedy solution. He will be sidelined, I would imagine, for the rest of the year but, all being well, will be back for next year's carnival."

A useful performer in South Africa for former trainer, Englishman Joey Ramsden, he was one of the new additions to a powerful De Kock team. World Cup night and the Dubai Duty Free, probably via Super Thursday, had appeared on the cards after his Al Rashidiya win. That form was given a big boost last week by the comfortable victory of Kirklees, third to Silver Mist, in a valuable handicap for Godolphin.

Race 2, Turf 1500m, 95-110 handicap, $120k
(108) 59.0 Pointing North(SAf) - Mullen/Seemar -> 8th of 16 by 6.40 lengths carrying 59.0 on Dubai debut three weeks ago in a turf 1500 metre 95-110 handicap. Had been off the track for more than a year following a GR1 win over a mile in South Africa.
(105) 57.5 Stubbs Art(Ire) - Shea/de Kock -> makes Dubai/stable debut. Last ran 4 months ago. Unplaced in last four starts in England/France (3 Gr3's and a Gr1).
(98) 54.5 Glow Star(SAf) - Moore/Brown -> 7th of 14 by 6.60 lengths carrying 54.5 on Dubai debut two weeks ago in a turf 1500 metre 95-110 handicap. Had been off the track for more than 7 months following a hat-trick of wins in South Africa in plates and a handicap over 1300/1400 metres.

Race 3, Dirt 1600m, conditions, $110k
(121) 58.0 Honour Devil(Arg) - Murtagh/de Kock -> Last ran nearly 11 months ago when winning the Gr2 UAE Derby by 4.25 lengths over 1800 metres on the dirt, carrying 59.0.

Race 4, Turf 1200m, 95-110 handicap, $120k
none

Race 5, Dirt 2000m, 90-105 handicap, $110k
(95) 55.0 Naples(Aus) - Shea/de Kock -> 9th of 13 by 20.20 lengths carrying 56.0 on Dubai debut two weeks ago in a dirt 1700 metre 90-105 handicap. Had been off the track for more than 10 months following a stakes win on the Vaal sand over 1600 metres carrying 54.5.

Race 6, Turf 2400m, 95+ handicap, $150k
(107) 58.0 Bound By Honour(SAf) - Moore/Brown -> 4th of 16 by 5.50 lengths on Dubai debut four weeks ago in a turf 1600 metre 95-110 handicap. Returned two weeks later when 10th of 14 by 8.20 lengths in a turf 2000 metre 95-110 handicap. Last run in South Africa was when 3rd in the July over 2200 metres, carrying 53.0.
(102) 56.0 Mr Brock(SAf) - Shea/de Kock -> 4th of 14 by 6.75 lengths on Dubai debut only a week ago in a turf 2000 metre 95+ handicap. Had been off the track for five months having recorded a hat-trick of wins in Mauritius (2 Gr1's and a Gr3) from 1600 to 2300 metres.

Race 7, Turf 1600m, Group 2, $250k
(118) 57.0 Traffic Guard(USA) - Egan/Brown -> 6th of 10 by 4.0 lengths in a Gr3 three weeks ago. Has had eight runs in Dubai since 2007 for no wins but has managed a Gr3 2nd and a Gr3 3rd. Towards the end of last year finished 2nd in a Gr1 in Ireland and also 2nd in a Gr3 in England.
(113) 58.5 Imbongi(SAf) - Shea/de Kock -> 2nd of 11 by a shd on Dubai debut in a turf 1300 metre 100+ handicap two weeks ago, carrying 58.0. Hadn't run in more than 6 months since Gr1 5th and 2nd in South Africa over 1800/1600 metres.
(112) 57.0 Hunting Tower(SAf) - Dettori/de Kock -> Won Dubai debut four weeks a go by 1.25 lengths in a turf 1300 metre 95-110 handicap, carrying 59. Ran again a week later when 9th of 10 by 6.05 lengths in a Gr3 over 1777 metres. Finished down the field in last four starts back in South Africa (3 Gr1's and a Gr2).

Race 8, Turf 1500m, 95-110 handicap, $120k
(107) 56.0 Rocks Off(Arg) - Shea/de Kock -> Left South African having won a turf 1600 metre Gr1 at his third start in July. Has had two runs in Dubai, both on dirt. First run was 5th of 16 by 9.50 lengths in a conditions race over 1400 metres. The second run, only a week ago, was 9th of 10 by 22.35 lengths over 1600 metres in a Gr3.
(98) 54.5 Perfect Season(SAf) - Latham/Brown -> Last ran in South Africa back in April when 4th in a Gr2 over 1600 metres. Made Dubai debut 9 months later when 6th of 16 by 7.30 lengths in a turf 1600 metre 95-110 handicap. Dropped his jockey in a similar race a week later.
(95) Grand Emporium(SAf) - ???/Bouresly (reserve runner) -> Has run only 6 times in Dubai in almost 4 years since winning the Godolphin Mile over 1600 metres on the dirt. Hasn't placed in those 6 starts. Managed a Gr3 3rd at Epsom back in 2005, two runs after his Dubai win.

Race 9, Turf 2400m, 95+ handicap, $150k
(106) 58.0 Desert Links(SAf) - Latham/Brown -> Won the Gr1 Gold Cup over 3200 metres back in August. After almost 6 months off the track, has had two runs in Dubai both turf 95-110 handicaps over 1600 & 2000 metres. Finished 15th of 16 by 17.75 lengths (1600 metres) and then 13th of 14 by 7.25 lengths (2000 metres).

Imbongi good thing tomorrow

Connections hope Stubbs Art can make impression

Preview: Dubai, Thursday 3.05 (Live ATR/RUK)
Nad Al Sheba: Mustaqbali Handicap (Turf) 7 ½f

Richard Mullen, jockey of Pointing North
"We were pleased with his first run after a long break and he has come out of that looking very well indeed. I worked him Saturday and he seems in great shape."

Ted Durcan, jockey of Valedictum
"Danny O'Brien (trainer) thought he would need the run last time and the horse has definitely improved from that outing. These are tough races but he has to have a chance."

Mike De Kock, trainer of Stubbs Art
"His form is there for all to see and he has settled in well. He will come on for the run but we hope he will be a serious carnival horse and then one for Europe."

Erwan Charpy, trainer of Emirates Gold
"Has been a good servant to the yard and deserves a bit of luck in one of these carnival races."

Fawzi Nass, trainer of Boston Lodge
"His first turf run was encouraging so we have to hope switching back will help him rediscover his best."

Herman Brown, trainer of Glow Star
"Had been off a long while before his comeback and should strip a lot fitter on this occasion."

Honour Devil takes first step in World Cup bid


Preview: Dubai, Thursday 3.40pm (ATR/RUK)
Nad Al Sheba: Al Dana Investment Plate Dirt (1m conditions race)



Mike De Kock, trainer of Honour Devil
"He is the class horse in the race but penalised accordingly after a long time off. This is, hopefully, the first step towards a crack at the World Cup which is still five weeks away so there is plenty left to work with but he is straight enough to run a big race."

Richard Mullen, jockey of Tiz NowTiz Then
"I have worked him twice and he is a nice new recruit from America. He has not been here all that long and will certainly improve from the run."

Mubarak Bin Shafya, trainer of Dijeerr
"He has been working very well and we need to try him on dirt; if he acts on it, it will open up a lot more future options."

Godolphin expects big run from Asset


Preview: Dubai, Thursday 4.10 (ATR/RUK)
Nad Al Sheba: CBD Infinite Card Trophey turf (6f Handicap)


Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of Asset
"He has run two good races already and has come out of his win very well. He has top weight but is in good form and we expect a big run."

Wayne Smith, jockey of Instant Recall
"He rarely runs a bad race and has only been caught close home the last twice - third time lucky we hope!"

Doug Watson, trainer of So Will I
"He won his only start last year and made a very pleasing return. Things did not go to plan last time and I hope for a much better effort but these races are very competitive."

Ted Durcan, jockey of Miss Gorica
"This is her fourth start and she has run three good races already. She owes us nothing but remains in great heart and can go well again from a good draw."

Gary Hind, jockey of Nights Cross
"He ran a great race first time and just tired close home. He seems in good form and hopefully that race has brought him on enough to have a big chance."

Hills opts for Arqaam from Watson's foursome


Preview: Dubai, Thursday 4.55 (ATR/RUK)
Nad Al Sheba: Attijari Al Islami Trophy dirt (1m2f handicap)


Doug Watson, trainer of Arqaam, Mutasallil, Trust N Dustan and Clasp
"A multiple dead-heat would be great and they all hold some kind of chance. Richard (Hills) has chosen Arqaam and he will appreciate the likely fast pace, as will Trust N Dustan who deserves a bit of luck.

"The same can be said of Clasp who is ultra tough and consistent and Mutasallil is no back number so, hopefully, we have a strong hand."

Brett Doyle, jockey of Grand Hombre
"His best form was in a Dubai World Cup but obviously that was a long time ago. He has been running well though and should appreciate the return to this trip."

Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of Irish Mayhem
"He ran well enough on his dirt debut last time and will hopefully improve with that experience."

Dandy Nicholls, trainer of Jack Junior
"He loved the return to dirt last time and was staying on so this step up in trip will hopefully help."

Royston Ffrench, jockey of Moonquake
"It is a nice spare ride and his dirt form is good. Hopefully we can go close."

Eastern Anthem team eye further carnival glory


Preview: Dubai, Thursday 5.25 (ATR/RUK)
Nad Al Sheba: CBD Financial Services turf (1m4f handicap)


Royston Ffrench, jockey of Eastern Anthem
"He won well last time but does have to give weight all round on this occasion."

Mick Channon, trainer of Halicarnassus
"Obviously we were delighted he won last time and he has been working well since. He stays thisfar and hopefully there is some pace in the race."

Herman Brown, trainer of Bound By Honour
"This step up in trip should help him as he has Grade 1 form over 1m4f at home."

Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of Sugar Ray
"This is his second start for us and we were pleased enough with his first and hopefully he can build on that."

Mike De Kock, trainer of Mr Brock
"We were very pleased with him last week and the extra two furlongs should be in his favour."

John Egan, jockey of Love Galore
"This appears his best trip and we have to hope he will run well in a tough looking contest."

Summit Surge ready for step up in class


Preview: Dubai, Thursday 5.55 (ATR/RUK)

Nad Al Sheba: Al Fahidi Fort (Sponsored by Commercial Bank of Dubai) turf (1m, Group 2)


Shane Lyons, assistant to brother/trainer Ger, of Summit Surge
"Obviously we were delighted with his win and he deserves this step back up in class and has been in good form since. There may only be seven runners but it looks a good racebut Johnny (Murtagh) knows the horse and track well and he should go well."

Erwan Charpy, trainer of Blue Ksar
"He was unlucky on his first start for us and would have been second at least with a clear run. This is a step up in grade but he works like a good horse and we were elighted with that first run."

Mike De Kock, trainer of Hunting Tower and Imbongi
"We ran Hunting Tower back too quickly last time; he is better thanthat. Imbongi really pleased us on his local debut and looks sure to go close but the Irish horse and Johnny (Murtagh) look a big danger."

Herman Brown, trainer of Traffic Guard
"He has improved for his first run certainly and on his best form in Ireland he will be a serious challenger if able to reproduce it. Mike's horse (Imbongi) looks the one to beat."

Mubarak Bin Shafya, trainer of Gladiatorus
"It was a great debut forus when breaking the 1500m track record but this is obviously a big step up in class. He has good form in Europe though and has worked well since so we have to be hopeful."

Fernando Jara, jockey of Gold Sovereign
"This will be his third 2009 run but first time I have ridden him. He has a bit to find but it is a small field which could produce a tactical race.

Poor effort by Pointing North. "...not the same horse he was in South Africa" was a comment on Tellytrack.

Maybe this has got something to do with it?

04/05 7.9%
05/06 4.8%
06/07 8.0%
07/08 3.4%
08/09 4.4%

Trainers winning stats. Champion UAE trainer in 97/98, 99/00 and 00/01 but recent figures don't make for good reading.