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Today's Racing :

De Kock starts Dubai on a high

The Mike de Kock team made the best possible start to the 2010 Dubai Carnival by not only winning the first thoroughbred race on the new Meydan racecourse, but then saddling a 1-2 in the second!
Raihana was the first and was impressive winning the UAE 1 000 Guineas trial under Christophe Soumillon who then partnered Lizard’s Desire to land the 1 950m handicap, chased home by Kevin Shea on King of Rome. All three are owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum.
De Kock said: “We knew we had some good chances on the night and it is obviously very pleasing to win the opening Thoroughred races at the new course. Raihana is the best 3yo filly we have bought to Dubai and the UAE 1000 Guineas will be her next target.
“Lizard’s Desire is a horse we hoped could do well at the Carnival and may even progress past handicaps. King of Rome’s performance was very pleasing also.’’
Frosty Secret ran well for a long way in the 6f handicap before finishing a highly creditable fifth, while Red Rock Canyon (6th) was a place in front of Art of War in the 10-furlong handicap.
Hunting Tower was never really able to land a blow in the featured Maktoum Challenge, before Rocks Off attempted to make all in the concluding 7f handicap. He faded turning for home with Warsaw (6th) and Lucky Find (7th) among the pair who passed him.
The first ever race at Meydan, the Group 1 Maktoum Challenge for Purebred Arabians was won in great style by No Risk Al Maury, owned by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum who also sponsored the race.
The winner was trained by Gill Duffield, while jockey, Richard Hills, was aboard the winner and, coincidentally, partnering his 450th UAE winner in the process.
Never far off the pace
He was delighted: “Of course it is great to ride the first winner here and extra special now you have told me it was my 450th. This is a nice horse though and one we thought would love this new track.”
The Thoroughbred equivalent was won by Dubai International Racing Carnival regular Gloria De Campeao who battled bravely to land the spoils in the 1 600m feature.
Never far off the pace, he had to fight off several challenges, and was actually headed turning for home, but fought back to regain the advantage inside the final 100m.
His trainer Pascal Bary said: “This horse loves Dubai and never runs a bad race. We will be aiming him for the World Cup in which he was an excellent second last year.’’
Luca Cumani and Kieren Fallon then combined with Drunken Sailor who won the 2 200m handicap in good style to the delight of the trainer who said: “We were hopeful but nothing more. That is his first start for us.’’
Another UK winner followed with Ted Durcan in the saddle on Sir Gerry, trained by John Best. Last turning for home, Durcan’s mount ran on strongly to lead close home and the jockey said: “He has done that nicely and clearly loves the surface.’’
A third for the UK was registered in the last, a 1 400m handicap, by Ryan Moore on the Jeremy Noseda-trained Leahurst.
Joined in the party
Godolphin joined in the party in the 2 000m handicap in which Frankie Dettori made all on Whispering Gallery to score a comprehensive success.
A delighted jockey said: “This place is fantastic and going to be awesome. It is a big relief to get that first winner on the board.’’
The Tapeta track was generally well received and winners on the night came from both high and low draws from off the pace and from those who raced prominently suggesting a fair chance for all.

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