STARS OF DUBAI WORLD CUP NIGHT AND SYDNEY CHAMPIONSHIPS HEAD ROYAL ASCOT INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

  

STARS OF DUBAI WORLD CUP NIGHT AND SYDNEY CHAMPIONSHIPS HEAD ROYAL ASCOT INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES

 

No fewer than 11 nations are represented amongst the entries for this year's seven Royal Ascot Group One races, released today.

The Hong Kong-trained winners of both Group One sprints on Dubai World Cup night, STERLING CITY (John Moore) and AMBER SKY (Ricky Yiu), are expected to head the early betting markets for the Diamond Jubilee and King's Stand Stakes respectively.

Sterling City is set to take in the KrisFlyer Sprint in Singapore before a final decision is made on Royal Ascot but if successful there, he would be racing for the US$ 1 million bonus at Royal Ascot, having already won Dubai's leg of the Global Sprint Challenge.

The bonus is payable to the connections of any horse successful in three of ten legs of the Global Sprint Challenge. The next leg is the KrisFlyer Sprint in Singapore on 18th May, followed by the two Royal Ascot sprints and the Darley July Cup at Newmarket on 12th July.

The USA is represented in the initial entries for the King's Stand Stakes by ANCIL (Joan Scott), who broke the five-furlong track record when winning at Tampa Bay Downs in March. Trainer Joan Scott is expected to be the first lady trainer from the United States to saddle a runner at Royal Ascot.

South Africa's SHEA SHEA (Mike De Kock), was narrowly denied by fellow entry, Ireland's SOLE POWER (Eddie Lynam), in last year's King's Stand and both are expected to line up again.  

Australia, successful four times in the King's Stand Stakes, is represented by last year's champion three-year-old sprinter ZOUSTAR (Chris Waller), although he is more likely to take up his engagement in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes where in addition to Sterling City, international representation could include North American sprinters OCCASIONAL VIEW (Kenny McPeek) and LAUGH TRACK (Mark Casse).

Occasional View won the Grade Three Commonwealth Stakes at Keeneland on 12th April with Canadian-trained Laugh Track just under three lengths behind in third, the last named having been beaten just a neck in the Grade One Breeders' Cup Sprint at Santa Anita in November.

The Queen Anne Stakes has attracted its most cosmopolitan entries ever, with eight countries represented at the closing stage.

Australia's champion miler SACRED FALLS (Chris Waller) heads the international cast having won the Group One Doncaster Mile on 12th April at The Championships in Sydney. He went on to finish second to the retired It's A Dundeel in the Group One Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, also at Randwick, the following week.

Hong Kong has three entries headed by ABLE FRIEND (John Moore), second in the Hong Kong Derby over 10 furlongs in March and a winner back over a mile at local Group Two level on his next start. He heads next to the Group One Champions Mile at Sha Tin on 4th May where likely opponents could include fellow Queen Anne entries GOLD-FUN (Richard Gibson), second in the Group One Hong Kong Mile in December and BLAZING SPEED (Tony Cruz), who is a regular in the big Hong Kong races between a mile and 10 furlongs.

South Africa's entry is SOFT FALLING RAIN (Mike De Kock), second in the recent Group Two Godolphin Mile in Dubai, whilst the USA could be represented by GOLDEN TICKET (Kenny McPeek), who dead heated in the 2012 Group One Travers Stakes and was second in the Group One Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile last year.

The USA is also represented by proxy in the Queen Anne through VERRAZANO (Aidan O'Brien), who was fourth in that Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile when trained by Todd Pletcher.

Germany (INDOMITO), France (KENHOPE), and of course Ireland and the UK make up the nations with entries. Richard Hannon has entered Sussex Stakes winner TORONADO, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner OLYMPIC GLORY and 1,000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes winner, SKY LANTERN, although she is likely to start her year in the Group Two Duke of Cambridge Stakes.

The Prince of Wales's Stakes will be many people's idea of the race of the week this year with French-trained Arc winner TREVE (Criquette Head) an intended runner pending her reappearance at Longchamp this weekend.

Compatriot and Ascot regular CIRRUS DES AIGLES (Corine Barande-Barbe) and OCOVANGO (Andre Fabre), make up a powerful French entry for the race which also includes a fascinating possible runner from Hong Kong in AKEED MOFEED (Richard Gibson).

Akeed Mofeed, winner of Hong Kong's premier race last year, The Group One Hong Kong Cup, has been forced to miss this weekend's QEII Cup at Sha Tin through injury and also been ruled out of the Singapore Cup in May but has nevertheless been entered for Royal Ascot.

Breeders' Cup Turf winner MAGICIAN and Derby winner RULER OF THE WORLD head Aidan O'Brien's entries whilst others of note include last year's Prince of Wales's Stakes runner-up MUKHADRAM (William Haggas), who was second in the Dubai World Cup in March; last year's Irish Derby winner TRADING LEATHER (Jim Bolger), and Yorkshire Oaks winner THE FUGUE (John Gosden).

There is no doubt that the star name amongst the entries for the Gold Cup is The Queen's reigning champion, ESTIMATE (Sir Michael Stoute), although the favourite for the race is likely to be last year's St Leger winner LEADING LIGHT (Aidan O'Brien) in what could be a fascinating clash between the last two winners of the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot.

The USA could be represented by FRAC DADDY (Kenny McPeek), a recent winner at Keeneland, whilst entries have also been received from France, Spain and Germany for Europe's long distance championship.

"We are delighted to see so many continents represented and especially pleased with the depth of entries from Hong Kong after their sprinters stole the show on Dubai World Cup night," said Nick Smith, Head of Communications and International Racing at Ascot.

"The entries from North America look high quality this year too and, in addition to a large contingent from Kenny McPeek at this stage, and the very quick Ancil and Laugh Track, we are expecting No Nay Never (Wesley Ward) to try to supplement his Norfolk Stakes win of last year in the Jersey Stakes. Wesley reports that he is putting together his usual string of two year olds for the trip and Todd Pletcher has also shown interest in sending juveniles this year.

"The new Championships in Sydney got off to a flying start over the last couple of weeks and we are very much looking forward to seeing Australia's champion miler, Sacred Falls, in the Queen Anne Stakes and, of course, Zoustar in the Diamond Jubilee.

"All the big names in the QIPCO 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas are entered for the St James's Palace Stakes and Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot respectively and the picture for those two events will become clearer after the Spring Classics around Europe, as ever.

"Arc winner Treve is the best horse in the world on official ratings so to have her headlining the Prince of Wales's Stakes is obviously excellent news and, needless to say, we will all be hoping to see The Queen's Estimate back to her best in the Gold Cup."

VistaJet Bombardier Claims Landmark Julius Baer Beach Polo Title @BeachPoloCup

VistaJet Bombardier  Claims Landmark Julius Baer Beach Polo Title

·        Worldwide Beach Polo Concept in Dubai for 10^th Anniversary

The Julius Baer Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2014 presented by Cadillac, was claimed tonight (Saturday) by an 8-4  VistaJet Bombardier victory over the title sponsors, following two days of furious polo action on the sand, marking the 10^th year since the popular polo event was created.

 

The beach polo concept, which owes its origins to an idea brought into being by Dubai-based mamemo productions in 2004, has travelled the world since the inaugural tournament in Dubai. It now returns to its original host city for a special floodlit anniversary renewal, supported by Dubai Sports Council.

 

The on-pitch drama played out between four select teams over two evenings on a purpose-built arena at Skydive Dubai in front of an enthusiastic polo crowd. There was no lack of on-field rivalry during  the grand final as the results from day 1 pitted brother against brother in a fight for the coveted title.

 

Rashid Al Habtoor, the Dubai Polo Club chairman, had led his side, Julius Baer to victory in 2013, while his brother, Mohammed Al Habtoor, patron of winners,  VistaJet Bombardier is no stranger to Beach Polo triumph, having claimed the first three Dubai-based tournaments from 2004-2006.

 

Julius Baer appeared to hold a strong hand having set up their final round clash thanks in no small part to the prodigious Argentine goal-scorer, Juan Cruz Geuvara, a six-goal handicap, who scored all of his side’s goals in their opening day 8-11 defeat of Lindt Master Chocolatiers.

 

Yet his potency was contained by VistaJet Bombardier in the final. Instead the winning side’s Argentine professional,  Guillermo Cuitino, also rated six, possessed the magic mallet, scoring all bar one of his team’s goals. That performance was good enough to see Cuitino named the Cadillac Most Valuable Player of the tournament.  And it was accomplished Emirati, Habtoor Al Habtoor, himself a stand-out player of the tournament, who notched once in opening chukker for VistaJet Bombardier.

 

The game began evenly enough with scores tied 1-1 after the first chukker, yet VistaJet Bombardier soon lay down the gauntlet, emerging from the second chukker 3-2 up and capitalising on their advantage in the third to go into the final period with a three-goal lead for 5-2.

The fourth chukker saw a flurry of goals from both sides, with the undaunted Julius Baer side refusing to go down without a fight. They clawed back a valuable two goals, but it was too little too late as Cuitino, firmly in attacking mode, scored a further three times to give his side the 8-4 victory.

 

VistaJet Bombardier patron, Mohammed Al Habtoor said: “I was on the winning team for the first three renewals of Beach Polo although we lost it last year in Dubai, so to win against such strong opponents, who were also the defending champions, is a fantastic end to the UAE polo season. It’s great to lift the trophy in the 10 ^th anniversary year. We are very happy with this result.”

 

The Maradiva team won the third-place playoff following a 9-6 victory over Lindt in the early game of the evening.

 

The way Julius Baer saw off the challenge of Lindt on Friday may have persuaded many that they were the ones to watch. They fought back from a first-chukker one-goal deficit in their opening match to finally emerge 8-11 winners.

 

Lindt had started well, going into the second chukker with the score 3-2 in their favour. But Guevara soon made his mark on the game, answering Lindt’s two second-chukker goals with four of his own to add to his brace from the opening period. Going into the third chukker with Julius Baer 5-6 up, Lindt notched once more  and so did Guevara and despite a fourth-chukker goal from Lindt, Guevara put another two balls between the posts for a final score of 8-11 to the title sponsors.

 

Lindt’s goals came from two of their three players, with Piero Dillier scoring once and the prolific Lucas Labat getting his name on the score sheet seven times.

  

Meanwhile VistaJet Bombardier set up Saturday’s grand final meeting with Julius Baer after seeing off first-day rivals, Maradiva in a close-fought 9-7 encounter. VistaJet Bombardier benefitted from a potent combination of Argentine point man, Guillermo Cuitino and Emirati ace, Habtoor Al Habtoor, who each scored five and four times respectively. Every Maradiva player made it onto the score sheet, with Maxi Malacalza notching five while Stuart Wrigley and Mohammed Bin Drai both claimed one apiece.

VistaJet Bombardier always appeared to have the upper hand coming out of the first chukker 3-2 up, but their opponents refused to let them relax. Maradiva  fought back to even the score for 5-5 in the second chukker and both sides scored twice in the third chukker, to go into the fourth and deciding period at 7-7. It was during the concluding chukker that VistaJet Bombardier pulled ahead, scoring two decisive goals to set up path into the grand final clash.

 

The showpiece event, attended by almost 6,000 people across two days, brings the curtain down on the UAE’s competitive polo season. It was supported by the attendance of HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Sultan‎ bin Hamdan Al Nayhan, Dr Ahmed Al Sherif, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council as well as visist from actors  Tyrese Gibson and Michelle Rodriguez.

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Sam Katiela, Beach Polo organiser and founder of mamemo productions said:  “We are very ‎proud of the success of this event. Over the last decade this concept has really put Dubai and the UAE on the top of polo world map.

 

“We have been able to stage a world-class event, organised, managed and created by companies in the UAE and this is a formula which has been transported all over the world. We feel that this special 10th anniversary celebration of Beach Polo really does justice to the popular concept and we’d like to thank everyone involved in making this weekend possible.”

 

The two-day extravaganza was officially opened on Friday evening with a spectacular opening ceremony display and the first game began when a member of the Skydive Dubai team parachuted into the arena with the official match ball. The event  also featured an auction in aid of the Al Noor Training Centre for Children with Special Needs, with much interest generated by team sponsor, Lindt Master Chocolatiers’ donation of a specially-created piece of chocolate art.

 

@BeachPoloCup World class players promise top polo action at season’s final tournament

·         Beach Polo Cup 2014 marks 10th anniversary of unique polo concept

Spectators at this weekend’s Julius Baer Beach Polo Cup 2014 presented by Cadillac will be treated to a feast of furious beach-side polo as some of the world’s best players take to the sand for a two-day spectacle of the sport at its best.

The Beach Polo Cup concept, created ten years ago in Dubai by mamemo productions, takes on a new dimension with teams playing out their rivalries under floodlights for the first time. The tournament is supported by Dubai Sports Council.

Four teams of three players will vie for supremacy on the specially-created Beach Polo Arena, located for the first time at the impressive Skydive Dubai complex, in Dubai Marina on Friday April 11 and Saturday April 12. While international competitors are flying in, many of those on the pitch will be familiar foes, having clashed during the UAE polo season this winter, adding to the underlying sense of rivalry that exists among the UAE’s close-knit polo playing community. 

Indeed, some will even be family members, meeting for the final time in the domestic polo season, further heightening tensions in the arena.

Julius Baer Team, the title sponsors, have it all to play for, having claimed the 2013 Beach Polo Cup. They are led by team patron, Rashid Al Habtoor, the chairman of Dubai Polo Club. A vastly-experienced international player, who plays off a zero handicap, Al Habtoor is joined on the field of play by his son, Khalaf Al Habtoor, also a zero handicapper. The hugely-talented and renowned Argentine professional, Juan Cruz Guevara, rated six, makes up the threesome.

The Julius Baer side’s Al Habtoor duo face hot competition from another Al Habtoor father-and-son combination, representing the VistaJet Bombardier Team. Patron Mohammed Al Habtoor (0 handicap) and Habtoor Al Habtoor (0) are joined by six-handicapped player, Guillermo Cuitino in their bid to wrestle the champion’s trophy from the other branch of their family.

Maradiva Team, made up of patron, Saeed Bin Drai (0), Mohammed Bin Drai (0) also boast the skills of Argentine, Nico Petracchi, a six-goal player and a regular on the UAE polo scene.

Also on the hunt for silverware will be Swiss player, Piero Dillier (0) the patron of the Lindt Master Swiss Chocolatiers Team. He is joined by compatriot, Dr Thomas M Rinderknecht (0) and Lucas Labat (6) from Argentina.

A pre-tournament public parade, taking place at 4pm on Wednesday April 9 will feature some of the ponies and players who will compete over the weekend. Starting at the top of The Walk at JBR and passing the Ritz Carlton, a Cadillac car and the Dubai Police supercars will provide a guard of honour. Members of the public are encouraged to attend.

This year’s renewal of the Julius Baer Beach Polo Cup 2014 presented by Cadillac may be staged on a beach, but no expense has been spared in preparing the best possible surface for the equine stars of the show. Twenty truckloads of sand will be shipped to the venue where it will be packed, watered and built up, layer upon layer until it is twelve layers thick to create a suitable playing surface.

“This year’s beach polo venue has been purpose-built to offer our guests a unique polo experience. This is not only show off the skills of the players to the best advantage, but also to provide the best facilities we can to the ponies who are the event’s real athletes,” said founder and mamemo production Managing Director, Sam Katiela. “One of the goals when we developed beach polo ten years ago was to showcase the attributes of Dubai as a destination for premium sporting events like this one. Part of this is to create a stage equal to show we are delivering, making the sport as accessible as possible to the people of Dubai.

Daniel Savary, Head of Eastern Mediterranean, Middle East and Africa, Bank Julius Baer, said: “We are once again pleased to return as title and team sponsors for the prestigious Julius Baer Beach Polo Cup. As the leading Swiss private bank with a longstanding heritage of providing the highest quality of services, an important part of our focus has been to support activities globally that mirror the values we have embodied since our inception. Polo symbolises these attributes of tradition, team spirit and excellence, and we have also chosen to support the sport here because we recognise its value to the community in the UAE. To this end, our sponsorship of the tournament for a second consecutive year showcases our continued commitment to the country, and we look forward to another successful event."

Tickets for the full weekend cost just Dh75, while day tickets are Dh50 and are available from www.platinumlist.ae. Tickets are also available on the day.

Guests are recommended to arrive from 4.30pm and to take public transport to the venue.

(Ends.)

For more information on the Julius Baer Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2014 Presented by Cadillac, please visit: www.beachpolo.net .

@BritishPoloDay in Abu Dhabi - More great pictures @GhantootPolo

@BeachPoloCup Beach Polo Fashion

Gabriela Katiela of mamemo productions, founders and organisers of the upcoming Julius Baer Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2014 presented by Cadillac, gives us her fashion tips to make sure you’re one to be noticed amongst the crowds at the upcoming glitz-filled event.

The Beach Polo Cup Dubai is only just around the corner and for many, the number one question has got to be: “what do I wear?”

This is an event that combines a beautiful beach setting, breath-taking horses, delicious cuisine, live entertainment and an unforgettable polo competition.

So what are the fashion dos and don'ts for this prestigious event?

First of all, keep in mind that you are not attending a horse race and you are not simply going to the beach… You are going to the Julius Baer Beach Polo Cup Dubai 2014 presented by Cadillac!  The season’s most anticipated and luxurious happening!

Dressing for this occasion needs to be thought out and detailed. This event is an opportunity to display your taste and fashion sense to an international crowd. People will notice what you wear! And in this case, a fashion mistake could follow you around for a long time!

Therefore, we have provided our beloved guests with some suggestions as to what to wear to this wonderful occasion.

1.      Remember the perfect little black dress? If you can find the perfect little white dress, then you will fit right in

2.      Smart – casual is definitely the way to go…  a pair of jeans with a preppy blazer is an internationally acclaimed look for the polo games

3.      Add some colour to the occasion! We encourage you to project a colourful mood through your clothes

4.      Glitters and sparks belong to the nightclubs.  Nevertheless, if decently combined its a la mode!

5.      Remember that just because it’s called Beach Polo, it doesn’t mean you’re going to the beach!

6.      High heels are always great, but consider that you are going to a Beach Polo. Less is more and flats can be as sexy as killer heels

7.      There is nothing more elegant and attractive than a man wearing a white suit and a Panama hat!

8.      We do like fascinators but remember you’re at beach polo and not at the races!

9.      Most important – wear your smile!

Tickets are available to purchase now from Platinum List. 

Robin Hoods Bay Takes Winter Derby & Will Be Back For The Richest All-Weather Race on Good Friday

3.50pm £100,000 Group Three coral.co.uk Winter Derby - Fast-Track Qualifier, 1m 2f, Polytrack

Robin Hood's Bay (10/1), owned by Alan Pickering, trained by Ed Vaughan and ridden by Luke Morris, went one better than last year when winning the £100,000 Group Three coral.co.uk Winter Derby over 10 furlongs at Lingfield Park on Saturday, March 22.

The winner of this third Fast-Track Qualifier on the day is guaranteed a place in the £200,000 Coral Easter Classic All-Weather Middle-Distance Championship over course and distance on Good Friday, April 18, the richest race ever run on the All-Weather in Britain.

Robin Hoods Bay was held up in second last and crept into the race before coming with a good run in the straight to catch Godolphin's Windhoek (11/4, Saeed bin Suroor/Silvestre de Sousa) well inside the final furlong and win going away by three quarters of a length in 2m 1.41s. Aussie Reigns (33/1, William Knight/Adam Kirby) kept on in third, a length away, while the 7/4 favourite Grandeur (Jeremy Noseda/Ryan Moore), who broke well from stall 14, raced in fourth before fading to eighth of the 14 runners.

Vaughan, who trains Newmarket, declared: "Robin Hoods Bay has always threatened to win a big one and was a bit unlucky last year, when he got caught in running.

"I have trained him for this race, as I have said all the way through. We had a couple of little issues with him earlier on and I just wasn't able to train him conventionally.

"I have let him have 10 per cent improvement with each race. This was the day for him and now we will have a crack at the Good Friday race.

"Initially, I thought that he wasn't travelling today - he is a horse that can travel really well but he wasn't travelling as well as he can today - and that has shown that they have gone a really good pace.

"Races are always perfect when they have gone too fast. That's what this horse needs and the harder the gallop, the better he is.

"I went into this race thinking that a lot of the big guns might come back for Good Friday. The owner loves Lingfield and I think I said when this horse was rated 64 that he was the best horse I have trained. He has gone and proved it today.

"We thought today would be the big day but we will have one more crack on Good Friday. We have no reason not to go for the race and he will have a well-deserved break after that."

Luke Morris said: "Things worked out nicely for Robin Hoods Bay in the race. The plan was to ride him a bit closer but they went a proper gallop throughout so I was sitting there, taking my time.

"He has got a good turn of foot and the way the race was run played into his hands. Usually, he gives you a good guide of the pace and, because he was off the bridle early doors, it meant that they were going a proper gallop.

 "I am sure that he will be back for Good Friday now. What you have seen today is his level of ability and it's a good level."

2.40pm £45,000 Listed bookmakers.co.uk Hever Sprint Stakes - Fast-Track Qualifier, 5f, Polytrack

Stepping Point (16/1) was the decisive winner the £45,000 Listed bookmakers.co.uk Hever Sprint Stakes (2.40pm) over five furlongs, the first of three Fast-Track Qualifiers on today's Lingfield Park card.

Trained by William Muir and ridden by Martin Dwyer, the five-year-old son of Kyllachy scored by two lengths from Iptisam (8/1, James Tate/Luke Morris) on his All-Weather debut in a fast time of 57.12s.

Stepping Point was always in the first three as the eventual third Even Stevens (16/1, Scott Dixon/Freddy Tylicki) took them along and went into the lead with a furlong remaining.

The winner secures a guaranteed free place in the £150,000 bookmakers.co.uk All-Weather Sprint Championship on Good Friday, April 18, back at Lingfield Park.

Last year's winner Ladies Are Forever (the 3/1 joint favourite, Geoff Oldroyd/Robert Tart) was the unlucky horse in the race, receiving a hefty bump when turning into the straight. She finished well to be fifth, two necks and a head behind the second.

Dwyer, celebrating victory on his comeback ride following a Southwell fall from Columbian Roulette on January 3, commented: "My daughter told me that I would win on my first ride back, so it's all thanks to Daisy.

"Stepping Point did it great - he transformed in the middle of last year and has been gelded over the winter.

"He has come out firing and it was an armchair ride for me. It helps when you get a horse that travels like he does but I have done three solid weeks in Oaksey House (in Lambourn) and, if I had known that it would be that easy, I wouldn't have bothered!

"I had a bit of bad luck - it was a heavy fall - but I came out of it and it is onwards and upwards."

Muir, who sent Stepper Point back to the track after a 176-day break, said: "I haven't overdone him at home.

"I thought he was a certainty on his debut at Newbury as a two-year-old but he only beat two horses. Then I thought he would go well on his first start as a three-year-old but he finished in the middle.

"Last year, he took his first run, so I thought we would come down here under a penalty and give him a spin. He has had one gallop - Martin rode him in one piece of work and said that he was very similar to Big Buzz and Fleckerl in that he feels really well in himself and he's not 100 per cent fit but we may as well start here.

"Henry Candy asked me what I was going to do with him at the end of last year and I said that we were going to keep him and geld him. He said: "Keep these Kyllachys because they get better with age". This horse has always shown serious ability at home.

"Stepper Point has not come in his coat and he's a gelding now. When he was a colt, I could have given him a wheelbarrow of food and he would have eaten the whole lot but he is a gelding, so he was leaving a handful of food here and a handful there.

"I was saying to the owner Clive (Edginton) that we could run here and Martin won't knock him around if he blew up but as he is game and competitive he will get into a race. He walks around quiet as a lamb and he is never one to do anything so it is hard to put a handle on him.

"Martin has had a hard time. We had a few decent horses winning and then we had that race put to bed (at Southwell) - that can happen. Somebody rung me up yesterday and asked me about Martin and I said: "In life, if it doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger" and I hope that it has made him stronger.

"We will probably go to Good Friday now because there is a few quid on offer, unless the French entice us over there. We have a few options but, coming down here, I thought that we would run in this race and, if he did happen to win, it gives us the option to come back.

"Something has jumped into him coming out of the stalls because he has lost a shoe and got cuts down both sides of his near hind. As long as they don't swell up - they look superficial.

"Everybody knows that I am a nutter, but I have said it all the way through that this horse will win a Group One."

3.15pm £45,000 Listed 32Red Spring Cup - Fast-Track Qualifier, 7f, Polytrack

The second Fast-Track Qualifier was the seven-furlong £45,000 Listed 32Red Spring Cup over seven furlongs, which was won by 5/4 favourite Ertijaal (William Haggas/Paul Hanagan) who gains a guaranteed free berth in the £150,000 32Red All-Weather Three-Year-Old Championship on Good Friday.

Ertijaal, the 5/4 favourite despite being drawn on the outside in stall 13 and racing on an All-Weather surface for the first timer, broke smartly and raced keenly in the lead before settling in third.

The three-year-old Oasis Dream, having his third start after being an impressive six-length maiden winner at Yarmouth last year, led again into the straight but was all out to hold on from the fast-finishing American Hope (16/1,Mike Murphy/Shane Kelly) by a head in 1m 22.72s.

Haggas remarked about Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned colt who holds a QIPCO 2000 Guineas entry: "He has got a race under his belt. It was not a very nice draw, but he was pretty flat out at the end.

"I am very glad that we got this out of the way and it is very hard to make an assessment having just seen it. We will see it at home later but I am glad to get this first race out of the way and now we can train him properly and concentrate on him.

"Paul said the track was very slow and he got nothing out the track but he was happy enough. It was just messy - Ertijaal was a bit fresh going down and a bit restless in the stalls.

"It has been a long time since he ran and he is still very young in his mind. That will bring him on a lot, I am sure.

"He has been working nicely - he worked last week with Premio Loco and went very nicely - but he hasn't done a lot. Although he didn't blow much, we can get stuck into him now."

Hanagan, on a day trip back from Dubai, added: "I was really pleased with Ertijaal from such a bad draw. He will come on an absolute ton and he was just pricking his ears in front.

"He is a big baby - he only had two runs last year - and I was very happy with that. He feels a nice horse but it is early days."

Murphy commented: "It was a great run from American Hope and I am really thrilled.

"I said that he would come on for his last race and you can see that he is still a frame of a horse. You would like to think that he would come on again and improve for the step up to a mile.

"We will take him back and see where we go with him. He enjoyed that and I thought that we were closing down on the winner, although I would have to see the race again.

"He's a proper horse and still a big baby."

@DubaiGoldCup Habtoor Polo and Ghantoot ADCB will play the Bentley Emirates Gold Cup Final

Habtoor Polo and Ghantoot ADCB will play tomorrow the final of the Bentley Emirates Gold Cup, the most
important tournament of the UAE polo season. The final, the most important match of the Gold Cup, will start at 4 pm in the main field of the Dubai Polo &  Equestrian Club.

Habtoor Polo and Ghantoot ADCB will be, one more year, face to face in the great final.

 Picture by Gonzalo Etcheverry/DPGC2014

This two teams have been the main players in the Dubai Polo Gold Cup Series in the last two years.
Ghantoot ADCB won the 2013 Gold Cup and the Mc Laren Silver Cup this year. Habtoor Polo was  Silver Cup champions in 2013 and reached the Gold Cup finals the same season. This year, patron Mohammed Al Habtoor team won the Hildon Cup and will play again the final of the Bentley Emirates Gold Cup.

Teams are already confirmed for the great final starting at 4 pm.  abtoor Polo foursome is made by Mohammed Al Habtoor, Marcos Panelo, Francisco Elizalde and Guillermo Cuitiño.
Ghantoot ADCB line up with Ali Al Merri, Oscar Colombres, Facundo Sola and Pelayo Berazadi.
But the action in the great day of the Bentley Emirates Gold Cup will start early.
Gates at the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club will open at 10 am.
At 1 pm a Camel Show followed by a Cheerleaders show will set up a great atmosphere for the Bentley
Emirates Gold Cup final.
Previous to the great match, Mahra Polo and Bin Drai Polo will play the Power Horse Cup Final. Patron Rashid Al Habtoor team and patron Saeed Bin Drai team will be face to face from 2 pm in field 2 of
the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club.

INAUGURAL DUBAI DESERT TRIATHLON LAUNCHED @deserttriathlon

In another first for Dubai a new sporting event has been launched today. In what could also be a world first, the Dubai Desert Triathlon is the latest event to be introduced and is sure to attract great interest and support from sports enthusiasts.

Presented by the Dubai Sports Council, the inaugural Dubai Desert Triathlon will showcase a unique combination of two of the traditional triathlon disciplines, running and cycling, in unison with an endurance horse ride. 

The event, which will take place on Saturday April 19th at the Dubai International Endurance City (DIEC), will attract competitors from across the region eager to be a part of a new experience. Dubai International Endurance City (DIEC) is located a 40 minute drive from Dubai next to Bab Al Shams Desert Resort and Spa.

The event will kick off at 6am with an endurance horse ride of a 25km loop, followed by a 25km cycling stage on the Dubai Cycle Path, then a 5km desert run through the spectacular desert and finishing in the Dubai Endurance City.

Entry is open to anyone interested in participating in any or all of the three disciplines, as an individual triathlete or as a member of a team, provided that horse riders are registered endurance riders with a horse. Men and women, and juniors (16-18yrs), who would like to compete in a team but do not have their own are encouraged to enter in their discipline or disciplines of choice (cycling, running or horse riding) and will be linked with other entrants to form a team of similar ability.

Event partner Meydan will assist entrants by linking cyclists and runners with fully registered endurance riders and horses.

Prizes will be awarded to the fastest team, fastest cyclist, fastest runner and best conditioned horse in the categories of male, female and juniors. In addition, there will be prizes awarded for the fastest triathlete who competes in all three disciplines, also in the categories of male, female and juniors, but to be eligible for this the person must be a fully licensed rider with a horse.

As this is the first event of its kind, entries are limited based on the number of licensed horses available.  Entries will open on 11 March at www.dubaideserttriathalon.com for all runners, cyclists, teams and qualified desert triathletes.

Nasser Al Rahmah, Director of Sports Events Department at Dubai Sports Council said today “The Dubai Desert Triathlon is an innovative concept that combines endurance riding, the heritage sport of Dubai, with cycling and off road running. This is a new concept that will grow and become a popular event in the Middle East and beyond. It is another important step in the development of sport in Dubai.”

The Dubai Desert Triathlon is held under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Sports Council.

Meydan Hosts Final Racing at Meydan Card of the Season Ahead of Dubai World Cup

Meydan Hosts Final Racing at Meydan Card of the Season Ahead of Dubai World Cup

South African Oertel Seems Assured of Second Trainers’ Title

Thursday evening at Meydan Racecourse represents the final domestic meeting of the season at the UAE’s flagship venue with Dubai World Cup night to follow in just over two weeks.

All six races are on the all-weather with two Dh90,000 contests offering the main highlights. The penultimate race, a 1900m handicap, has attracted 14 runners and trainer Doug Watson would appear to hold two good chances with Ostaad and Udabaa, the mounts of Paul Hanagan and Pat Dobbs respectively.

“They are both in good form at home and seem fresh and well for this time of the season,” said Watson. “Udabaa has hardly run a bad race all season and is well drawn. We are dropping him slightly in trip but that should not be a problem.

“Ostaad is not well drawn but won well last time over 1400m and has won over this trip in England. Both should run well.”

They are both owned by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, responsible for four runners and, with Hanagan choosing Ostaad, the owner’s second jockey, Dane O’Neill, rides Amaan, trained by Erwan Charpy.

Ahmad bin Harmash has enjoyed a good first season with a licence and course and distance winner Ducab should be competitive under stable jockey, Adrie De Vries who said: “Hopefully the return to these conditions will suit him and we have a nice draw in one. He should run well in an open looking contest.”

Bahraini Fawzi Nass, fresh from saddling Asmar to win last Saturday’s Al Bastakiya, relies on Tonabrocky who made a winning local debut in a 2000m all-weather handicap four weeks ago.

Ernst Oertel looks very likely to defend his trainer’s title and saddles course and distance winner El Mansour, the mount of Tadhg O’Shea who looks certain to be Champion Jockey again.

The preceding 1200m handicap has also attracted a competitive field of 14 with the Oertel’ Touch Gold and the Satish Seemar-trained Genius Step both seeking third consecutive victories.

A 1400m Jebel Ali winner last Friday, Touch Gold has only ever run over a trip this short once, exactly a year ago when well beaten at Sharjah. He has been in great form recently though and forged a great relationship with apprentice Daniel Muscutt who keeps the ride. O’Shea partners stable companion Brazen, yet to win locally after six starts in the UAE.

Richard Mullen rides Genius Step, twice a course and distance winner this year, with stable apprentice, Marc Monaghan, on Seemar’s second runner, Al Razi.

Watson relies on Famous Warrior, a Dubai World Cup Carnival winner in 2011 but out of luck since November 2012. Both those wins were over 1600m but he has won over 1200m in Ireland.

Watson explained: “He ran well for a long way over 1200m on turf last time and we will probably try slightly different tactics this week. We will be a bit more patient with him and hopefully he will be running on at the end.”

Qamar cannot be ruled out, while Hanagan chooses to ride local debutant Ebn Arab, trained by Musabah Al Muhairi, from five Sheikh Hamdan runners.

It is another busy racing weekend in the UAE with meetings at Al Ain on Friday, Sharjah on Saturday and Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

Tonabrocky, a winner on the February 15 Racing at Meydan card, bids for another victory in the 1900m IPIC Stakes – Empowering Our Future for trainer, Fawzi Nass.

Credit: Dubai Racing Club // Andrew Watkins

Standings for Boodles Leading Jockey Award, The Irish Independent Leading Trainer Award & the Prestbury Cup (sponsored by Guinness)

 

Boodles Leading Jockey Award

Jockey    Wins   2nd   3rd

Ruby Walsh    2   1   -

Barry Geraghty   1   -   1

Tom Scudamore   1   -   1

Richie McLernon   1   -   -

Mr Joshua Newman   1   -   -

Brendan Powell   1   -   -

A P McCoy    -   1   1

Nico de Boinville   -   1   -

Brian Hughes    -   1   -

Mr Derek O'Connor   -   1   -

Andrew Tinkler   -   1   -

Paul Townend   -   1   -

Bryan Cooper    -   -   1

Mr Patrick Mullins   -   -   1

Robert Thornton   -   -   1

Sam Twiston-Davies   -   -   1

The Irish Independent Leading Trainer Award

Trainer    Wins   2nd   3rd

Willie Mullins IRE   2   2   1

Alan King    1   -   1

David Pipe    1   -   1

Jessica Harrington IRE  1   -   -

Jonjo O'Neill    1   -   -

Jamie Snowden   1   -   -

Nicky Henderson   -   3   1

Malcolm Jefferson   -   1   -

Emma Lavelle    -   1   -

Charles Byrnes IRE   -   -   1

Charlie Longsdon   -   -   1

Nigel Twiston-Davies   -   -   1

  

Prestbury Cup (sponsored by Guinness)

Great Britain 4 v Ireland 3

1.30pm Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1)

VAUTOUR (FR) (Susannah Ricci) Willie Mullins IRE 5-11-7 Ruby Walsh 7/2jf

2.05pm Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase (Grade 1)

WESTERN WARHORSE (IRE) (Roger Brookhouse) David Pipe h6-11-4 Tom Scudamore 33/1

2.40pm Baylis & Harding Affordable Luxury Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

HOLYWELL (IRE) (Gay Smith) Jonjo O'Neill b7-11-06 Richie McLernon 10/1

3.20pm Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1)

JEZKI (IRE) (J P McManus) Jessica Harrington IRE h6-11-10 Barry Geraghty 9/1

4.00pm OLBG Mares' Hurdle (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle) (Grade 2)

QUEVEGA (FR) (Hammer & Trowel Syndicate) Willie Mullins IRE 10-11-5 Ruby Walsh 8/11f

4.40pm Terry Biddlecombe National Hunt Chase (Listed Amateur Riders' Novices' Chase)

MIDNIGHT PRAYER (The Legends Partnership) Alan King 9-11-06 Mr Joshua Newman 8/1

5.15pm Rewards4Racing Novices' Handicap Chase (Listed)  

PRESENT VIEW (Sir Chips Keswick) Jamie Snowden 6-11-07 Brendan Powell 8/1