The first meeting, and the first 10% of the Dubai Carnival is over.
The opening meeting of the $2billion dollar Meydan course was no let-down and produced some excellent equine performances.
All reports of the new Tapeta surface were positive, and the track seemed to ride fairly evenly throughout the night, with winners coming from various pace angles and box positions 13, 1, 5, 11, 7, 11, 5.
If anything, the course seemed to suit those stalking or coming from off the pace, although a definite conclusion cannot be made after only one meeting.
Performances worthy of a second look include the Jeremy Noseda trained Leahurst's (11/8) win in the last race on the card, a 90-105 handicap over 7f. Stalking the pace, he was quickly pushed to the front under Ryan Moore and put the race to bed entering the straight to win going away.
However, perhaps the most impressive win of the night came from the Luca Cumani trained Drunken Sailor (5/1) who was value for more than his 2 1/4 length win over the ex-Cumani inmate Monte Alto. Given a great stalking ride from Kieren Fallon, the big gelding stormed to the front at the top of the straight and is definitely one to keep on the right side of during the carnival. He seemed to enjoy the Tapeta, and as he goes well on the Turf he has plenty of options.
Mike De Kock started the 2010 Carnival as though he meant business with two quick-fire winners courtesy of Raihana (11/4) and Lizards Desire (9/4), both ridden by uber-cool Frenchman Christophe Soumillon and both equally impressive. Lizards Desire got a perfect split on the rail, but he was always holding the challengers at the finish, lead by stablemate King Of Rome.
The first leg of the Maktoum Challenge (often seen as a trial for the Godolphin Mile on World Cup night, but has also been used as a stepping stone to the World Cup itself) went to last years World Cup runner-up Gloria De Campeao (12/1). Sitting just off the pace, the Pascal Bary trained Brazilian wore down the pace setting favourite-Godolphins Midshipman-in the final furlong, and held off the fast finishing Forgotten Voice (Noseda/Moore) for a 1/2 length victory. He will now be aimed at the World Cup in a bid to go one better than last year. Kieren Fallon partnered the multiple winning Saudi Arabian based Consul General. Unfancied in the market, the 25/1 shot looked a likely winner entering the straight, however a 3 month lay-off seemed to take its toll in the closing stages and he finished a tired 3rd, he will strip fitter for this run next time out and is worth a second look.
Elsewhere on the card, Godolphin registered a sole opening night win despite having short priced favourites in 4 of the 7 races. Whispering Gallery (6/4) dictated from the gate to record a comfortable victory in the 10f handicap, with the ultra reliable Halicarnussus holding on for 2nd.
Ted Durcan cajoled John Bests Sir Gerry (25/1) along at the back of the field in the only sprint on the card (6f). As the field entered the straight he quickly gathered momentum and flew down the outside in the closing stages to get up by 1/2 length. He could have been 'well-in' on his handicap debut.
All-in-all a fantastic opening night at a fantastic new venue and although the Dubai economy may well be feeling the pinch, the Carnival seems as though it will be as extravagant and as glamorous as ever this year. The next 90% should be well worth keeping an eye on.
Hollywood_G
Note:
Shadows Lengthen landed the six-timer at Southwell on Tuesday in grand style. A starting price of 11/4 was terrific value and he could go in again if his adept trainer can find him another opportunity.
A wide draw may have cost Imprimis Tagula in the 6 furlong sprint and he could do no more than fill the runner-up berth behind his better drawn rival Tourist. He could be worth chancing if he turns out again in the 'Super 7' qualifier at Lingfield on Saturday if hes not hindered by another wide box position.
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Monday, 25 January 2010
Why Do Shadows Lengthen?.....
Tomorrows 3.20 at Southwell sees the return of a Hollywood A-Lister searching for a six-timer in the shape of Mick Easterbys Shadows Lengthen.
Up 7lb for his latest win 2 weeks prior to Christmas, the inevitable step up in class occurs on his beloved Fibresand surface, where 5 others will be hoping a half stone increase stops him in his tracks.
His speed figures achieved when allowed to dictate the pace have been fairly consistent, and I can't envisage anything in the field that will take him on for the lead.
Profits Reality and Trachonitis rate as clear dangers on the figures, with the former preferred due to his prominent racing style.
Although Trachonitis did manage to get his nose in front last time out over the Fibresand, the surface was not riding anywhere near as quick as it has been on that occasion, earning a pace figure of only 43. The average since November is 63, which indicates a significant advantage to horses laying up with the early pace.
Up 10lb for his win on Dec 27, the trainers representative indicated following that win that he would be turned out again quickly under a penalty, this was not the case and could indicate the horse had a setback, or maybe the converse - that connections were confident, and more inclined to wait for a more profitable opportunity.
Although only 6 runners, this could be an interesting race. If Shadows Lengthen is allowed an uncontested lead, he will be difficult to peg back.
Elsewhere on the card, Imprimis Tagula bids to make amends for a poor showing last time out, where a change in tactics backfired spectacularly. Forcing a suicidal pace that day, he was cooked 2 furlong from home and the usual patient, stalking tactics could be in store in tomorrows 2.50, a class 2 handicap sprint over 6f.
Course specialist Ingleby Arch will be looking to reverse placings with the selection, following his 9 length drubbing last time out over an inadequate 7 furlong, this 6 will be more to his liking.
Selections:
2.50 Imprimis Tagula
3.20 Shadows Lengthen.
Good Luck All
Hollywood_G
Up 7lb for his latest win 2 weeks prior to Christmas, the inevitable step up in class occurs on his beloved Fibresand surface, where 5 others will be hoping a half stone increase stops him in his tracks.
His speed figures achieved when allowed to dictate the pace have been fairly consistent, and I can't envisage anything in the field that will take him on for the lead.
Profits Reality and Trachonitis rate as clear dangers on the figures, with the former preferred due to his prominent racing style.
Although Trachonitis did manage to get his nose in front last time out over the Fibresand, the surface was not riding anywhere near as quick as it has been on that occasion, earning a pace figure of only 43. The average since November is 63, which indicates a significant advantage to horses laying up with the early pace.
Up 10lb for his win on Dec 27, the trainers representative indicated following that win that he would be turned out again quickly under a penalty, this was not the case and could indicate the horse had a setback, or maybe the converse - that connections were confident, and more inclined to wait for a more profitable opportunity.
Although only 6 runners, this could be an interesting race. If Shadows Lengthen is allowed an uncontested lead, he will be difficult to peg back.
Elsewhere on the card, Imprimis Tagula bids to make amends for a poor showing last time out, where a change in tactics backfired spectacularly. Forcing a suicidal pace that day, he was cooked 2 furlong from home and the usual patient, stalking tactics could be in store in tomorrows 2.50, a class 2 handicap sprint over 6f.
Course specialist Ingleby Arch will be looking to reverse placings with the selection, following his 9 length drubbing last time out over an inadequate 7 furlong, this 6 will be more to his liking.
Selections:
2.50 Imprimis Tagula
3.20 Shadows Lengthen.
Good Luck All
Hollywood_G
Sunday, 24 January 2010
Meydan Calling....
This Thursday (28th) sees the start of the 2010 Dubai International Racing Carnival, and the opening of Meydan, the new $billion racecourse in Dubai.
Some racing fans refuse to embrace the Dubai Carnival, but to some, myself included, it is a very exciting series of race meetings. This year has some added spice in the introduction of a synthetic 'Tapeta' track to replace the conventional dirt of previous carnivals held at the now closed Nad Al Sheba racecourse.
Tapeta is a relatively new All Weather surface, reportedly made up of a mixture of "53% sand, 5% rubber and 42% 'secret recipe'" according to the man behind the development, the ex Cheltenham Gold Cup winning trainer Michael Dickinson. http://www.tapetafootings.com/
Tapeta is currently in use at two racetracks in the US, Presque Isle Downs in Pennsylvania and Golden Gate Fields in California.
Given the new surface and a new course configuration at Meydan, calculating speed figures for the Dubai Carnival will prove difficult this year, as there are no standard times in which to start from.
In an effort to estimate some standard times at the course prior to the meeting, I have compared the course at Golden Gate Fields with the configuration at Meydan, taking into account the number of turns, the length of the final stretch etc. This is not as difficult as first anticipated, as unlike in the UK where courses can be vastly different, racecourses in the US are mostly flat, left handed oval shaped configurations with very similar standard times. Meydan has been designed in pretty much the same way and is a perfectly flat, left-handed course of around 8 3/4 furlongs, with a run-in of about 2 furlongs - as shown below.
6 69.6
7 82.0
8 95.0
9 108.0
9.5 114.5
10 121.2
11 135.0
12 148.0
It will be possible after the first couple of meetings of the Carnival to ascertain whether my times are way off the mark, but it will at least give me somewhere to start from on Thursday when the action starts in the Desert.
Hollywood_G
Some racing fans refuse to embrace the Dubai Carnival, but to some, myself included, it is a very exciting series of race meetings. This year has some added spice in the introduction of a synthetic 'Tapeta' track to replace the conventional dirt of previous carnivals held at the now closed Nad Al Sheba racecourse.
Tapeta is a relatively new All Weather surface, reportedly made up of a mixture of "53% sand, 5% rubber and 42% 'secret recipe'" according to the man behind the development, the ex Cheltenham Gold Cup winning trainer Michael Dickinson. http://www.tapetafootings.com/
Given the new surface and a new course configuration at Meydan, calculating speed figures for the Dubai Carnival will prove difficult this year, as there are no standard times in which to start from.
In an effort to estimate some standard times at the course prior to the meeting, I have compared the course at Golden Gate Fields with the configuration at Meydan, taking into account the number of turns, the length of the final stretch etc. This is not as difficult as first anticipated, as unlike in the UK where courses can be vastly different, racecourses in the US are mostly flat, left handed oval shaped configurations with very similar standard times. Meydan has been designed in pretty much the same way and is a perfectly flat, left-handed course of around 8 3/4 furlongs, with a run-in of about 2 furlongs - as shown below.
Golden Gate fields is a little different, as there is no chute for the races run over a mile, the oval is around 8 furlongs in circumference, and the run-in is a little shorter than at Meydan, however, it gives us some information at which to start.
After some tedious calculations that I wont go into, using some information provided by the guys at http://www.speedfigures.com/ I have come up with the following standard times for the Tapeta surface at Meydan, that can be used as a guide until there have been a significant amount of races to enable more accurate calculations to be performed.
Tapeta Surface:
Distance (fur) Std Time (Secs)
5 56.0
5.5 62.56 69.6
7 82.0
8 95.0
9 108.0
9.5 114.5
10 121.2
11 135.0
12 148.0
It will be possible after the first couple of meetings of the Carnival to ascertain whether my times are way off the mark, but it will at least give me somewhere to start from on Thursday when the action starts in the Desert.
Hollywood_G
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