The Godolphin Mile

Fourteen runners go to post in the Godolphin Mile sponsored by Etisalat. As the name suggests this is a Group 2 contest over a Mile or 1600m and it has attracted a very high class entry with representatives from six nations.

Mufarrh is the representative of Champion UAE trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe and this four year old has progressed so far this season to become a genuine contender tonight. Having only made his debut at the Carnival in February the son of Marju was far from disgraced in his last run behind leading Dubai World Cup fancy Twice Over last time and is sure to go close.

We have only seen Conveyance once in the UAE following his move from the US to Satish Seemar’s Zabeel Stables and he showed he was in great form chasing home Bankable over 1200m. In the US he showed the trip should be no problem winning a Group 3 over this distance so this four year old is certainly one for the short list.

Premio Loco is having his first run in the UAE and is trained in Newmarket in the UK by Chris Wall. He is the second highest rated horse in the race and will be bidding to give his trainer his first win in the UAE.  Another trainer bidding for his first winner in the UAE is Mauricio Delcher, the Spanish trainer, with As De Trebol who was placed third in both his Carnival starts chasing home Barbecue Eddie and Mendip. In the Mendip race Zafeen Speed was second and this improving son of Zafeen will certainly give Musabah Al Muhairi a good chance of hitting the target.

Mike de Kock is represented by Imbongi who was third to another of the Godolphin Mile runners in Skysurfers on his previous run.  Skysurfers is wearing the first colours of Godolphin and represents Saedd Bin Suroor. He was devastating on his only run this year and always runs well fresh so he is the one to beat in this contest. Godolphin also are represented by Rileyskeepingfaith who is trained by Mahmoud Al Zarooni. He showed his wellbeing and position as a contender for this race when seeing off Fareer over course and distance at the last Carnival Meeting in the Group 2 Zabeel Mile.

The highest rated horse in the race is Red Clubs  who is trained in Lambourn, UK by Barry Hills. He was last seen winning a Group 2 at Newmarket over 1400m in October. He is a talented performer and having been a close third in a Group 1 at Ascot behind Poets Voice will be another of the front runners.

There are two interesting runners from the USA are Make Music For Me and I Want Revenge. They both have decent form and it will be interesting to see how they get on against the horses we know more about. Crowded House is the third USA representative and he will have to improve a bit on his Carnival form to figure in the frame.

Hearts of Fire and Le Drakkar were both behind Wigmore Hall in the Jebel Hatta and are sure to make a good impression. These two complete the field and have shown themselves to be in good form.

Having looked at the race it is immensely difficult to predict the result. I have gone with Skysurfers to win as he will be running after a break which suits him. I thought Conveyence ran a promising trial for this so will plump for him in second and feel that Red Clubs could run a big race to finish third.

Godolphin Masterplan Ensures Victory

With two rounds of the Dubai International Racing Carnival to go Saeed Bin Suroor closed the gap on Mike de Kock to be Leading Trainer to two last Thursday with a glorious treble. The highlight was undoubtedly the victory of Khawlah in the UAE Oaks sponsored by Al Tayer motors. This was a perfectly prepared filly making her UAE debut under a Godolphin masterclass in tactics undertaken by Ted Durcan and Frankie Dettori. Durcan on the pacemaker Abtasammah made the race a searching pace and set it up for Dettori on the three year old daughter of Cape Cross who the trainer felt: “would definitely get the trip comfortably”.

Had we seen the 2011 Epsom Oaks winner? Well I think so and interestingly bin Surour certainly had this in mind as he said: “you will next see her in the Musidora at York”. Traditionally a stepping stone for Epsom we will see her test her Oaks credentials in the UK there.  Exciting times and a great feather in the cap for Meydan and the Dubai International Racing Carnival to become such a part of the world racing season its races can be used as springboards for big races round the world as well as hosting the big races. The Carnivals position in the world racing Calendar is now vital.

"Mike de Kock is running one of his Dubai World Cup hopefuls tonight and  Musir will take on Twice Over in the Group 2 Al Maktoum Challenge where amongst others he will face the dual Champions Stakes winner from the United Kingdom in Twice Over for Henry Cecil, and the exciting new recruit to the UAE in Richard's Kid, trained by Satish Seemar, amongst others in a very competitive field. Mendip who won the first Round will also be a hrd nut to crack with bin Surour saying: "he is a much improved performer now he has learned to settle."

International Stables is now bristling with even more talent than was previously there as many of the stars for Dubai World Cup night are starting to arrive. A morning on the gallops is now like a who’s who of world racing and definitely worth a trip and setting the alarm clock for.

A special mention from last weeks Carnival and congratulations must go to crack apprentice jockey Harry Bentley. He has had a terrific first season in the UAE and deserved this win. He rode Navajo Chief for Alan Jarvis and showed great style, strength and determination to get the horse home despite being headed more than once in the straight. This is a young jockey going places and he should get some great rides when he returns home to the UK for the summer there.

Super Thursday is definitely the jewel in the crown of the carnival and I cannot wait to see this years’ edition tonight. After the racing there is a concert and it will be interesting to see the talents of Tinchy Stryder, Sander van Doorn and Eddie Halliwell perform a one-hour set each. Tinchy Stryder is best known for his hit “Number 1” and he is known to be a real crowd pleaser. It is a bit of a departure from previous artists such as Sting who performed last year and these performers will help showcase racing to a new younger audience. So if you are coming to the concert can I please encourage you to come and enjoy the racing first. It is top class and will be very exciting and if you have any questions do not hesitate to ask.

Racing enthusiasts who have purchased tickets to watch the Super Thursday races will be able to upgrade their tickets for access to the concert area for an additional AED 100.

It was great to see some more stars at the Carnival last week with football leading the way. Tottenham Hotspur Manager Harry Redknapp. Redknapp had arrived early to enjoy a few days before his team enjoyed a mid season break out here. With no fixture for ten days he felt: “Dubai is the perfect place for my players to train and recuperate”. His team followed him out, including the injured players, and returned to get ready to face Wolves on Saturday followed by the second leg of their Champions League tie against Inter Milan. Carlton Palmer was also present.

Football and racing are often closely tied. Michael Owen, the Manchester United & England goalscorer, has a racing stables and racehorses in the care of Tom Dascombe. This week when speaking of his travel dreams he said: “I’ve been lucky enough to attend the Dubai World Cup race - I would love to go again.” Lets hope they find a horse for the 2012 Dubai International Racing Carnival and he could attend the meeting as an owner.

It never ceases to amaze me the level of interest in racing round Dubai. I had a taxi driver named Morad the other day who knew the formbook inside out and does not miss a meeting if he can avoid it. He told me “Curlin was the best horse I had ever seen”. As for this years’ Dubai World Cup he is undecided until after tonights racing but veering towards a tick for Bold Silvano on his Pick 7 entry.