The Cure: The Race is On... Get Giddy with Glamour!

**March 2013 Promotion – Book a semi-permanent eyelash extension & receive one free to be used within 2 months of purchase **

 Dubai is known as a place where dreams can come true, where glamour can become a part of your lifestyle. Well, nothing says ‘glamour’ quite like a day at the races, where the men look smart and sophisticated, and the women seriously dress to impress! Yes, the Dubai World Cup is almost here... the most glam event of the year!

 

The Cure Beauty & Wellness Lounge, located in the heart of Dubai Media City, recently launched its new professional make-up services, offering make-overs for special occasions. Using the mineral based Jane Iredale make-up range, highly qualified and professionally trained European make-up artists ensure you will display nothing less than healthy, glowing skin as you strike a pose at the world famous Meydan Racecourse!

And The Cure has an amazing offer to add an extra special touch to your day at the races. If you pay us a visit and book a semi-permanent eyelash extension treatment, you will receive a complimentary semi-permanent eyelash extension treatment worth AED 350 to be used within 2 months of purchase. So your luscious lashes will last a long, long time, and not just for race day!

Don’t forget, The Cure also has a wonderful variety of facials to prepare you for an exciting day outdoors in Dubai. Get into the mood of loving luxury and treat yourself to washing away visual signs of fatigue with the Luxurious Boost Facial for AED 450. Perhaps your skin is thirsty and in need of special hydration? Why not try the Aquatic Supreme Facial for AED 400. But, if time isn’t on your side and you still dream of being the Belle of the Ball, how about pampering yourself with an Express Ultra-Calming Facial for AED 150?  Simply indulge in 30 minutes of soothing heaven and see what was once fragile skin come to life with freshness.

So this year at the Dubai World Cup, eyes won’t be on the horses... They’ll be on you!

For further information and to book an appointment, call +971 4 3916485 or visit www.thecure.ae. 

Naseem Clinches Abu Dhabi's Group 1 Dh1m HH President's Cup

The most valuable Purebred Arabian contest in the UAE, the Dh1 million HH The President’s Cup, was won by Naseem who completed a big race double at Abu Dhabi on Sunday for his owner, HE Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, trainer Majed Al Jahouri and jockey, Harry Bentley.

With the previous three winners of the race in opposition, Naseem produced a career best effort to land the 2200m highlight leading close home to deny last year’s winner Niseshan, just ahead of Jarnin, winner of the race in 2011 for the same owner.

Bentley said: “His best form here at Abu Dhabi is good and he probably needed his first two runs over 1600m which is probably on the short side for him but I thought he ran really well on that second start at Meydan and was hopeful of a big run today. He has delivered in style.”

Connections were completing a big race double after, for the second year running, Thakif ran out a convincing winner of the Group 3 Al Ruwais, over the minimum trip of 1000m, with Bentley again in the saddle for trainer Al Jahouri and owner HE Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as he was 12 months ago.
On that occasion he made virtually every yard of the running but this time, after a somewhat tardy start, he pounced close home to deny stable companion Rakha. Bentley said: “He has plenty of speed this horse and once we entered the straight he really found his stride and I always thought we would get there.”

The only Thoroughbred race on the card, a 2200m handicap, provided the perfect opportunity for the Doug Watson-trained Dr Faustus to record a second local and fourth career victory. Pat Dobbs was in the saddle and Watson said: “It is great to see him win again as he has run so many good races in defeat.”

The Eric Lemartinel-trained AF Sanadek is improving at a rate of knots and ran on late to win the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Cup, a 1600m contest restricted to locally-foaled Purebred Arabians to record his seventh consecutive victory. Winning jockey Gerald Avranche said: “He is amazing and just keeps on improving. Things did not really go right this evening but, yet again, he has delivered.”

Yazan scored a well deserved victory in a 1600m handicap with Richard Mullen, returning from illness having missed Meydan’s Saturday meeting, in the saddle for trainer Tony Manuel. Mullen said: “This horse has been in great form all season but has come up against the likes of AF Sanadek and run really well in defeat so he deserves that.”

The opening 1600m maiden was won by Sheikh Down, who with two previous starts under his belt was one of the most experienced runners in the race. Champion Jockey Tadhg O’Shea was in the saddle for Ernst Oertel who was claiming his 24th winner of the season.

O’Shea said: “He is a young horse with his future ahead of him. Slowly he is learning what it is all about and it is nice to win with him as he can hopefully improve again from this.”

Nawwaar Makes All To Claim Meydan Feature Under Hanagan

Paul Hanagan made virtually every yard of the running on Nawwaar for his main employer HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, in the featured 1600m handicap, the only turf race at Meydan on Saturday evening.

Fast into stride on a rainy and blustery evening, the winner was keen in front but Hanagan was allowed to set a steady early pace and was able to settle his mount before quickening early in the straight.

“I know the horse well from England and he is only a four-year-old who can hopefully do well in Dubai. He ran well on his local debut and I was happy out in front as they let me dictate a steady pace and I knew he would quicken,” said Hanagan.

On a card generously sponsored by Longines, Dane O’Neill was the jockey to follow with a treble, including a double for trainer Musabah Al Muhairi with both their winners achieved over 1400m on the all-weather.

Maltese Cat, originally first reserve, set the ball rolling in the opening maiden before Discoverer prevailed in a thrilling finish to the concluding handicap over the same course and distance. In between, O’Neill had partnered Udabaa to victory in a 2200m handicap, sporting the colours of his main employer, HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum to initiate a double for the owner.

Trained by Doug Watson, Udaaba denied stable companion Storm Belt close to home with a third Watson runner, Mark To Market, running on late to take third to give the trainer his second 1-2-3 in a Meydan handicap this season.

Watson said: “We actually had four in the race and I thought they all had a chance but you cannot really expect to fill the first three places. Obviously it is a great result and hopefully we can find suitable races for all four – not necessarily against each other.”

Of his treble, O’Neill added: “This is my first season here in my job with Sheikh Hamdan and it has gone really well. It is always great to ride a winner for the boss and I have picked up some nice outside rides as well.

“Hopefully we can get a few more on the board at the 2013 Dubai World Cup Carnival.”

Another trainer whose horses remain in great heart is Satish Seemar whose Al Razi landed the 1200m handicap under apprentice Marc Monaghan who said: “I am really enjoying this chance in Dubai and this horse seems to be improving with his racing. His confidence seems to be improving and he might be able to go on and win again.

“I am grateful to Satish and the whole team for this opportunity.”

There was something of a surprise in the 1900m handicap with Ted Durcan making all on Rebel Song who battled bravely to hold off the challenge of hot Pick Six favourite Last Fighter. Durcan explained: “He had been off a while before his first start this season and he ran well for a long way before understandably tiring. He has improved from that and the extra trip really suited him.

“I was always going well enough and when the runner-up came to us he has really fought bravely.”

Former Sir Henry Cecil Charge Makes UAE Debut For De Kock

Specific Gravity Could Provide Trainer With Fourth Win of Weekend

South African Mike De Kock was in dominant form on Thursday, winning half of the six races, including the featured Group 2 Al Rashidiya and is represented by Specific Gravity on Saturday -an evening of domestic racing presented by Longines.

Formerly trained in the UK by Sir Henry Cecil for whom he won twice, the five-year-old will be having his first run since September in the featured 1600m turf handicap and his new handler said: “He seems to have settled in well and is working well enough. He will improve with the run under his belt and may need further in time but we think he should a fun horse for the syndicate of owners.

“Thursday was a great night and this is our only runner Saturday – hopefully he can be competitive.”

Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor continues to lead the way at the Dubai World Cup Carnival and was also in the winner’s enclosure on Thursday. He has four runners in the race with Silvestre De Sousa riding Flag Officer, a good fourth on his local debut two weeks ago.

“We were pleased with that first run since May and Flag Officer has been working well since,” said the trainer. "He is a five-year-old but relatively lightly raced so hopefully he can improve on what he has shown so far.”

Mickael Barzalona rides stable companion, Les Troyens, with Ted Durcan on My Freedom and Daragh O’Donohoe (who missed Thursday’s action) scheduled to ride the yard’s fourth runner, Terdaad.

Leading owner HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum is also well represented by five of the fifteen remaining runners, with his retained jockey, Paul Hanagan opting for Nawwaar for Champion Trainer, Ali Rashid Al Raihe. He was third on his UAE debut a fortnight ago and has the plum draw in one.

The owner’s second jockey, Dane O’Neill, rides Marching Time, trained by Doug Watson.

Bin Suroor saddled a treble at a similar meeting two weeks ago and could do so again with Gold City sure to be a popular Pick Six selection on his local debut in the concluding 1400m handicap on the all-weather. Like Flag Officer in the feature, he will be ridden by De Sousa, as will Last Fighter in a 1900m handicap, also on the all-weather.

Bin Suroor saddles three in that race with De Sousa’s mount sharing the burden of top-weight with stable companion Layali Dubai who has the assistance of Mickael Barzalona in the saddle. Pat Dobbs rides the third Godolphin runner, Mawhub on whom he won here a fortnight ago, over course and distance, as part of the trainer’s treble.

Only ten have been declared but the Godolphin runners may not have it all their own way with the Al Raihe-trained Blue Sea and Karma Chameleon, to be saddled by Watson, both looking certain to appreciate stepping back up to this trip.

The Apache Scalps Rivals In Group 2 Al Rashidiya

An appreciative Meydan crowd were treated to a Mike De Kock masterclass on Thursday evening with the South African saddling half of the six winners at the fourth meeting of the 2013 Dubai World Cup Carnival.

The undoubted highlight was the victory of local debutant, The Apache, having his first start for the trainer and first start in almost a year, in the featured Group 2 Al Rashidiya, an 1800m turf contest, which like the whole card, was sponsored by DUBAL.

Ridden confidently by Christophe Soumillon, the pair hit the front about 200m out to deny Godolphin’s City Style, finishing runner-up to a De Kock horse in this race for a second year running having chased home Musir 12 months ago.

It was a record fifth win in the race for the trainer whose 2004 victor, Right Approach went on to dead-heat in the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free, one of two winners of this race to go on to win that feature on Dubai World Cup night – the other being Presvis in 2011.

Soumillon said: “I rode this horse work in the week and he really pleased me so I was pretty hopeful of a big run. He has done well after his break and can hopefully improve.”

De Kock added: “I actually thought he would need that so it is very pleasing and hopefully he can build on this.”

Right Approach was part-owned by golfer Lee Westwood as is Rerouted, who formed the middle leg of De Kock’s treble and who initiated a double for Soumillon when leading close to home in a 1400m contest on the all-weather.

Westwood, who enjoyed a good afternoon on the golf course in the Dubai Desert Classic, said: “We have had some joy here in the past – especially Right Approach – and this horse has been running well in defeat so it is nice to see him win.”

Earlier, Paul Hanagan had steered the trainer’s Mushreq to land the opening 2000m turf handicap to the delight of the trainer who said: “That really was a case of third time lucky as I do not think I have had a more unlucky horse in my years campaigning here. Paul did the right thing to stay wide and the horse deserved that.”
Both Godolphin trainers trained a winner on the night with Saeed bin Suroor also saddling the runner-up when his Kassiano denied stable companion Con Artist in a 1900m all-weather handicap. Ted Durcan rode the winner and said: “We were probably a bit unlucky the last day so it is nice to get a win on him and he should be able to go on from here.”

Fellow Godolphin handler, Mahmoud Al Zarooni had to wait until the last for his winner with Mickael Barzalona in the saddle on Time Prisoner.

The UK horses opened their 2013 account with Medicean Man, a first ever UAE runner for Jeremy Gask who was not here to witness it. He powered home under Harry Bentley to win the 1000m turf handicap which was run at a furious gallop.

Bentley said: “They went very fast and that suits him as he likes to run through tiring rivals. A berth in the Al Quoz Sprint would be the ultimate aim but we will stay in handicaps for now.”

SUPER DUTY IN 'GRAND FORM' AHEAD OF TOTEPOOL TOWTON NOVICES' CHASE AT WETHERBY TOMORROW

A classy field of seven has been declared for the £30,500 Grade Two totepool Towton Novices' Chase over three miles and furlong, the highlight on totepool Irish Day at Wetherby, tomorrow, Saturday, February 2.

The field is headed by the Jason Maguire-ridden Super Duty, who posted a gutsy 13-length success over an extended two and a half miles at Cheltenham in December, having filled the runners-up spot on his first two chase outings at Carlisle and Haydock.

The seven-year-old had high-class form over hurdles, chasing home Simonsig in the Grade Two Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree in April.

Trainer Donald McCain said: "Super Duty is in grand form at the moment and I am very happy with him.

"I always thought he would make a better chaser and the totepool Towton Novices' Chase looks the obvious race to go for before we decide what we are doing at Cheltenham.

"He is a better horse on better ground but he has been winning on soft ground so it shouldn't stop him unduly."

Local handler Sue Smith, who was the leading trainer at Wetherby last season, will be represented by progressive seven-year-old Fill The Power. The gelding runs in the same colours as Wetherby specialist Mister McGoldrick did and, after scoring on his chase debut at Sedgefield in May, he hasn't finished out of the first three in four subsequent starts.

Sue's husband Harvey said: "Fill The Power is in good form and we are hoping there is more to come from him because he is progressing well. He ran a good race last time and will see out the trip all right."

Goulanes, trained by David Pipe and partnered by Tom Scudamore, will be having his first start over fences after a brief but successful career of hurdles. A point-to-point winner in Ireland, the seven-year-old triumphed on his hurdling debut at Newbury in March before a courageous neck success in a Listed handicap hurdle at Cheltenham in November.

The strong line-up for the totepool Towton Novices' Chase also includes Restless Harry, who enjoyed his finest hour at Wetherby when winning the Grade Two John Smith's Hurdle by 20 lengths in October, 2011, and the Venetia Williams-trained Houblon Des Obeaux (first preference 2.25pm Sandown).

The Tim Easterby-trained Fourjacks, a winner on his chase debut for his owner Trevor Hemmings at Wetherby on January 12, and recent Kelso winner Fentara, also trained in Yorkshire but by Tim Walford, complete the field.

Totepool Irish Day also features the £18,000 Play totescoop6 At totepool.com Handicap Chase (3.55pm, 11 runners), while some of the useful hunter chasers will also be on show in the prestigious Wilmot-Smith Memorial Cup (1.35pm, seven runners), one of the first significant hunter chases of the season.

Gates open at 10.30am with the action getting underway at 1.00pm.

The Irish-themed marquee in the Paddock Enclosure is open to all racegoers and features the Ceilidh House Band and dancers. Advanced bookings for the 'Irish Experience' can be made right up to the meeting. For £22 this includes Paddock Enclosure admission, voucher for the full-colour racecard, a pint of Guinness, a beef & Guinness meal and a discounted tote betting voucher.

GOING

The going at Wetherby remains: Soft (Heavy in places)

Clerk of the Course Jonjo Sanderson said: "We had three millimetres of rain overnight, along with a couple of further sharp showers on Friday morning, which have put down another half a millimetre. 

"The strong winds over the last couple of days will have made the ground a little tacky, so if anything the rain might just help the horses get through the ground a little better. Saturday's forecast is for a dry and sunny day, which would make a refreshing change!

"The declarations we've received this morning are extremely pleasing and everyone is looking forward to a good, competitive, day's racing."

 

RACECOURSE ARCHITECTURE - New Book Documents the Architectural Development of Thoroughbred Racecourses

RACECOURSE ARCHITECTURE New Book Documents the Architectural Development of Thoroughbred Racecourses Club Hipico de Santiago, Santiago, Chile Acanthus Press (New York) and Turnberry Consulting (London) announce the release of Racecourse Architecture, the first comprehensive survey of racecourse buildings across the world throughout the past four centuries. Written by Paul Roberts who has been involved in the planning and designing of racecourses for many years, and Isabelle Taylor, the new book charts the hitherto untold story of the grandstands, clubhouses, saddling sheds, totalizators and other associated structures that evoke in bricks and mortar the rich history of thoroughbred racing. Racecourses are the stage upon which the drama of the thoroughbred is played out, and their buildings are crucial ingredients in creating the pageantry and theater that are integral to the popularity of the sport. While the best designed racecourse in the world would struggle to attract spectators if it failed to host good racing, physical setting can make or break a racegoer’s experience. Design is the key to creating the raceday experience that draws spectators, jockeys, owners, and trainers to the world’s best racecourses again and again. Yet the architecture of thoroughbred racecourses has not been extensively covered in the chronicles of sporting architecture or in the plentiful literature about racing. Racecourse Architecture sets out to redress this neglect. In two sections, it recounts the history of thoroughbred racecourse architecture, first charting the dramatic shifts in the nature of racecourse environments over the sport’s lifetime, and secondly profiling eight individual tracks in a series of case studies. Formulated to complement the chronology, the case studies offer a deeper look at some of the most important eras and racecourses in the long and varied trajectory of racing architecture. Featured sites include the Hippodrome de Chantilly (France), the remarkably beautiful Club Hipico de Santiago (Chile), Gordon Kauffman’s Art Deco masterpiece, Santa Anita Park (California), and the glass-and-steel Singapore Turf Club complex in Kranji (Singapore).   Publication date: March 15, 2013 11.2” X 9.4”, 272 pages Hardcover: $65 180 photographs, 95 in color ISBN: 978-0-926494-83-1 Praise for Racecourse Architecture: “Racecourses as an architectural genre have been ignored for so many years. It is therefore a welcomed treat to view a book that is so beautifully compiled, wonderfully illustrated, well researched, and brings out the depth and complexity of the subject on an international basis.” ―Rod Sheard, Senior Principal of Populous and designer of London and Sydney Olympic Stadiums “This is a hugely important book and will be very valuable to anybody lucky enough to be redeveloping their racecourse for the next generation of horsemen and racegoers. It is a tool which we would dearly have loved to have had when we rebuilt Ascot Racecourse in the early part of this century.  I congratulate the authors and publishers for the exhaustive research that has gone into this work.” ― The Duke of Devonshire, former Her Majesty's Representative at Ascot * Paul Roberts is a director of Turnberry Consulting, a London-based development strategy consultancy created to assist landowners to develop real estate projects driven by quality and functionality. Roberts has extensive experience acting as strategic consultant to racecourses, including Ascot and York Racecourses in the UK, Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Leopardstown Racecourse in Ireland, and Saratoga Race Course and Belmont Park in New York. Isabelle Taylor read for a BA in the History of Art at the University of Cambridge, followed by an MA in the History of Art at the Courtauld Institute of Art. The pair has previously jointly authored The Spa: Saratoga’s Legendary Race Course (2011), an architectural history of Saratoga Race Course, and University Planning and Architecture: The Search for Perfection (2010), a historical study of the architecture of universities from the Middle Ages to the twenty-first century. Acanthus Press publishes at the intersection of material culture and architectural history. Our award-winning books chronicle the lost histories of houses and objects, of clients and designers. From New York to Los Angeles, from St. Paul to Miami, Acanthus Press seeks to publish the undiscovered, the underappreciated, the rare, and the exceptional. Turnberry is a management consultancy created to assist landowners in developing real estate projects driven by quality and functionality.  It provides development strategy advice across a range of varied and challenging projects in the US, UK, Europe and Australia. Its expertise lies in three specific project sectors, namely: education, science and technology; estate development and suburban regeneration; and sport, in particular thoroughbred racing.

Santa Anita Park, California, 1934

Singapore Turf Club, Kranji, Singapore

Agua Caliente, Tijuana, Mexico