Obviously with no data to go on it was a difficult task - as detailed here -and early indications were that I was out by around about 2.5s/turn (which is a lot!).
However, it seems that last years times were on the slow side and now that the track has bedded in and settled down a little, it should ride a little quicker - a fact borne out by very fast times in the opening meetings of the season, including Alo Pura's lightning time in a six-furlong conditions event December 16th.
As for the opening nights results, there were some very familiar colours in the winners' enclosure, as Carnival heavyweights Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum & Mike de Kock's yellow and blue were forced to share the limelight with a more Royal shade in the form of Godolphin - with both bin Suroor and Al Zarooni off the mark in the early throes of this year's desert extravaganza.
Somewhat surprisingly it was Reem [#6], seemingly third in the de Kock pecking order, that made all of the running to record a shock victory over her more fancied stablemate Mahbooba [#1] in the opening 7f thoroughbred race on the card. The winner dictated the pace from the head of affairs, with the latter held off the pace and seemingly struggling to find her stride around the home bend before eating into the deficit in the final furlong.
The Trakus system highlights that Mahbooba covered 8m more ground than the winner and was beaten a half-length. That, coupled with the fact that she was giving the winner 7lbs shows she is probably the one to take from the race.
| photo courtesy: www.emiratesracing.com |
Trapped on the outside for the majority of the contest under Ryan Moore, the gelding son of Red Ransom showed a good attitude to out-gun the more seasoned campaigner Halicarnassus in the final furlong and Trakus shows the wide trip caused the winner to travel around 8m more than the runner-up and around 21m further than long-time leader Mojave Moon, who eventually faded into fifth.
| photo courtesy: www.emiratesracing.com |
Held up towrds the rear and well off the tapeta-scorching early fractions set by Dandy Nicholls' Inxile, the 9-2 shot showed impressive tactical speed as he weaved through the pack in the final quarter-mile to land the spoils a shade comfortably.
The pacesetting British raider kept to task well to hold second on a track that does not lend itself to those attempting to make all, with 6f course record holder Alo Pura also staying on late to land third under Willie Supple. Dead-last rounding the home turn, Herman Brown's Bankable caught the eye with a fast-finishing fourth and may be worth a second look back up in trip - 6f is definitely towards the minimum he would appreciate.
| photo courtesy: www.emiratesracing.com |
Winner of his first three career starts, Mendip was highly touted but could finish only third in the UAE Derby on the World Cup card.
Reappearing in the famous Green & Red colours of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum he was settled into a stalking role for the majority of the mile contest and after always travelling with consummate ease, Frankie Dettori required only a wake-up flick of the whip entering the final two furlongs as the $375,000 2yo scampered away from his rivals to score hard held.
Last years consistent Zabeel Mile winner and Dubai Duty Free third Imbongi was not given a hard time once the winner had kicked for home and landed second without expending too much energy. This was a nice pipe-opener for Mike de Kock's 7yo and he will no doubt play a big part in the Carnival again this time around.
| photo courtesy: www.emiratesracing.com |
Dubai International Racing Carnival - Meydan, 13th January 2o11
Speed Figures
Tapeta:
Reem - 74+
Rock N Roll Ransom - 88
Our Giant - 92+
Mendip - 84+
Pace figure - 37.5: indicating some advantage to off-the-pace performers.
Turf:
Dandy Boy - 87
Wajir - 105
Steele Tango - 70
Pace figure - 11: indicating significant advantage to off-the-pace performers.
Hollywood_G
Twitter: @gav_dobson
Better far off to leave half the ruins and nine-tenths of the churches unseen and to see well the rest; to see them not once, but again and often again; to watch them, to learn them, to live with them, to love them, till they have become a part of life and life's recollections.
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