Below, Mahbooba going clear in the feature, courtesy EERC/Cedric Lane.  Pictures are available via email at UAERacingPictures @ gmail.com.

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Photo courtesy: Emirates Racing Association

Photo courtesy: Emirates Racing Association

Gloria De Campeao went right to the front and never stopped, while Mike De Kock’s game gelding Lizard’s Desire flew home outside, getting nipped on the line, and then rocketing past.  While trainer Pascal Bary and jockey Tiago Pereira scored monster wins, perhaps the biggest winner of all was the Dubai International Racing Carnival.  You have to be in it to win it, and coming to Dubai and spending the winter under the floodlights of Meydan seems the best way to get it done.  The first three finishers, separated by only a long neck, all were Carnival winners. 

“It is great, I love it.” Those were the words of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to me after the race when I asked him about the first three home having spent the winter running at his masterpiece racecourse.  Before the race, here were our thoughts on the trifecta finishers:

LOCAL PREPPERS WITH A BIG CHANCE 

#1 ALLYBAR has been the beneficiary of two great Ahmed Ajtebi rides and the victim of a third trip that wasn’t so fortunate.  Ajtebi stayed on the rail and was closing like a shot before some incredibly tight quarters forced him to check several times, opening the door for Red Desire to come over the top.

#5 GLORIA DE CAMPEAO has been a stalwart for the last three Carnivals and almost pulled off another round of the Maktoum Challenge when second behind Red Desire.  He is just as game as they come and was a well-beaten second in this race last year.  The son of Impression is once again the likely pacesetter, a tactic that propelled him on opening night of the Carnival.  He is, by default, the benefactor of others finding trouble.  Had Presvis not been so hampered in Singapore last year, Gloria De Campeao would have been second.  If Forgotten Voice hadn’t found stretch trouble in the first round of this year’s Maktoum Challenge – second again.  So – in the end, he’s game and always around, and is capable of winning, maybe even holding a pace advantage over this bunch.  Still, he has to get many things to go his way and it all just makes him very difficult to pick on top.

Mike De Kock has never trained a Dubai World Cup winner and #7  LIZARD’S DESIRE stands a grand chance.  Lump him into Allybar’s category when considering the Maktoum Challenge performance, confirming, however, that he can run a big race against top company.  DeKock has gotten the most out of the son of Lizard Island, who is running the best races of his life.  Expect him mid-division and in a good position to launch a bid. 

Lizard’s Desire and Allybar ran crackers again, giving their connections no real reason to be ashamed.  The front 10 horses finished withing 2.75 lengths of the winner, and the front five were separated by 1.25 lengths.  Mike De Kock really wasn’t sure if had gotten the win, but gave himself a chance to get excited by the prospects in the seconds after the race. 

If you want the thrill of a $10 million photo, you have to be here to Dubai.   

Coming up later, we will provide a full recap of the winners, losers, and all other details related to the 2010 Dubai World Cup.  Watch the race below.

Chants of “Viva Brasil” rained down on jockey Tiago Pereira and owner Stefen Friborg of the Estrela Energia Stable.  The win pushes Gloria De Campeao’s career earnings in excess of $8.8 million, a career that included a win over Presvis in the Singapore International Airlines Cup (G1), and those strong placings in the Dubai World Cup.

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CALMING INFLUENCE went to the front, sitting just off pacesetting LE DRAKKAR, and kicked away in the lane while the always game GREEN COAST nearly caught him.  This is the first trained starter and winner for Mahmoud Al Zarooni, the long-time Godolphin assistant who was just given horses in his own name on Wednesday.  SKYSURFERS ran a real cracker and our choice, FORGOTTEN VOICE, rallied once outside of horses to be fifth. 

Calming Influence was 12-1 in the UK and 13-1 in the US.  It is, to the best of my knowledge, the first time the red cap wearer for Godolphin has won on World Cup night.  Below, Calming Influence before the Godolphin Mile.

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Near tragedy was avoided in the walking ring before the Godolphin Mile (G2) when the groom of #12 SKYSURFERS tripped and fell, was slightly dragged by the horse a few yards, but managed to get up, holding the horse, and tragedy was averted.  We don’t often realize how important a role they play in maintaining these gallant horses.
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JOY AND FUN, 12-1 in the UK and 18-1 in the UK took the Al Quoz Sprint (G3) by a half-length over my top choice FRAVASHI while American CALIFORNIA FLAG, who made most of the running, was third.

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Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum looking on before the Al Quoz Sprint (G3).  He owns three horses in this event.

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The Dubai Kahayla Classic goes the way of JAAFER, providing Qatari racing with an upset in the night’s opener.  Owned by a member of the Qatari ruling family, JAAFER came from off the pace and ran down NO RISK AL MAURY, the heavy on-track favorite.  Horses will soon be in the paddock for the Al Quoz Sprint (G3)

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The parade of nations started as Arab men on horses paraded with a cavalcade of flags from all the nations represented in the eight races.  Current UK wagering indicates that GITANO HERNANDO, TWICE OVER, VISION D’ETAT, and GIO PONTI are all nearly inseparable in the wagering, sitting at 5-1 or 6-1 or somewhere in between.  The betting for this race has never been so open.  Below, the hospitality of the Sky Bubble. 

Despite trainer Mike De Kock not believing #10 IMBONGI would get over the ground this week, he powered home to win over #8 KALAHARI GOLD in a photo with #9 SUMMIT SURGE third.  De Kock indicated the next step for the South African-bred could be either the Dubai Duty Free (G1) or the Godolphin Mile (G2). 

Finish of the Zabeel Mile (G2)

Mike de Kock's Imbongi wins over Doug Watson's Kalahari Gold and Luca Cumani's Summit Surge

Race 6 – $175,000 Meydan Conditions, 1,200 meters, Turf

#9 JUDD STREET, a winner on opening night of the 2009 Carnival nipped #11 STAR CROWNED by the slimmest of margins in the first race over the 1,200 meters straight turf course.  Star Crowned, a winner last week at the meet, was making his sixth start of the Carnival for trainer Rashed Bouresly.  Sadly, #12 OASIS STAR, who finished a long last, went down after the finish and was vanned off.

The sixth race at Meydan, the Meydan Conditions, was a straight six furlongs on the Meydan turf course

Judd Street takes the 6th race over Musaalem

Race 5 – $150,000 Imax Meydan Masters Leg 4, 2,000 meters, Tapeta

#9 KAL BARG may have won the fifth race of the night for Christophe Lemaire, but another great run from #10 MONTE ALTO puts Richard Hills in the trophy spot for the first Meydan Masters.  Ambassador Mick Kinane was in on the presentation.

Jockey Richard Hills wins the Meydan Masters competition

Jockey Aaron Gryder

Jockey Christophe Lemaire prior to winning the 5th race

Race 4 – $120,000 The Meydan City Corporation – Meydan Masters Leg 3, 2,200 meters, Tapeta

#5 ONCE MORE DUBAI, under Kent Desormeaux, rallied from well off a hot pace and landed a win in the third leg of the jockey challenge.  Off a nice fifth over the turf, he shortened up for this run and drew clear in the end.  Richard Hills maintains a slight lead over both Desormeaux and Aaron Gryder.  The way the scoring system was devised for Meydan Masters, it is almost impossible to win the contest without an individual race win, so those three riders hold the best chances going into the last race.

On-track advertisement for Santana & Elton John who will perform after the races on Dubai World Cup night

Frankie Dettori

Race 3 – $150,000 Meydan Classic, 1,600 meters, Turf

Godolphin's Frozen Power wins

Race 2 – $120,000 The Meydan Museum – Meydan Masters Leg 2, 1,400 meters, Tapeta

#2 SIROCCO BREEZE flashed home from the back to win the second leg of the Meydan Masters challenge, propelling Richard Hills into second place.  Aaron Gryder, with a third on #1 CONSUL GENERAL, retains the lead with 100 points.  #12 SWOP continued his appearances near the finish with a good second.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor and jockey Richard Hills discuss race tactics prior to winning the 2nd race with Sirocco Breeze

Meydan is tonight's sponsor

Race 1 – $120,000 The Meydan Hotel – Meydan Masters Leg 1, 1,200 meters, Tapeta

#6 ALAZEYAB stayed on for a solid form-franking win in the first round of the Meydan Masters, giving Aaron Gryder an improbable double winning with his last two mounts in the Emirates, having last won on Well Armed in the Dubai World Cup (G1).  The win gives Aaron Gryder 75 points after the first leg of the Meydan Masters with Olivier Peslier and Christophe Lemaire behind with 25 and 15 points, respectively.

Alazeyab in the parade ring prior to winning the 1st

Luca Cumani’s #1 PRESVIS won the final race of the night, the Haatel Jebel Hatta (G2).  Godolphin’s #3 ALEXANDROS was second and #4 TAM LIN finished third.

Presvis

Presvis wins the Haatel Jebel Hatta (G2)

Race 6 – $300,000 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 (G2), 2,000 meters, Tapeta

Japan brought in a contingent of horses to compete at Meydan, but it wasn’t two time Horse of the Year #8 VODKA to win the Al Maktoum Challenge R3 (G2) – it was the #13 RED DESIRE, third last out to Vodka in Tokyo.  #5 GLORIA DE CAMPEAO was second and #3 MR BROCK was third.  Vodka finished 8th.

Vodka, two time Japan Horse of the Year

Japan's Vodka in the parade ring at Meydan

Race 5 –  $250,000 Marju Dubai City of Gold (G2), 2,485 meters, Turf

Godolphin’s #2 CAMPANOLOGIST won the Marju Dubai City of Gold (G2) on the turf under Frankie Dettori, the team’s third win of the night.  Turkey’s #9 PAN RIVER came in second and #10 GOLDEN SWORD came in third for Mike de Kock.

Godolphin's Campanologist, eventual winner

Start of the Marju Dubai City of Gold (G2) on the turf

Field of the Marju Dubai City of Gold (G2) on the turf

Field heading into the turn at Meydan...

Race 4 – $200,000 Alhaarth Burj Nahaar (G3), 1,600 meters, Tapeta

#11 CAT JUNIOR made most all of the running and really took to the addition of blinkers, holding sway over late-closing fellow longshot #9 GREEN COAST.  Sent off at 35-1 in the international pools, he dramatically improved after being fifth behind #6 SKYSURFERS last time out, in a race where jockey Jamie Spencer was handed a two night suspension.  That tot kept him off Cat Junior today and Richard Hills served as the beneficiary.  The final time of 1:35.95 was .75 seconds faster than the previous fastest 1,600 meters, set by Lucky Find last week.

Cat Junior wins the Alhaarth Burj Nahaar (G3)

Race 3 – $200,000 Elnadim Mahab Al Shimaal (G3), 1,200 meters, Tapeta

What a performance from #2 DESERT PARTY, making his first start since a displaced ankle chip sidelined him following the 2009 Kentucky Derby (G1).  He ran forwardly and held off #12 MUTHEEB for a solid victory in 1:10.82, the same winning time Leahurst ran a few weeks back.  Leahurst is a dual-Carnival winner and skipped this event to plan for the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1).  #7 WAR ARTIST was a disappointing fifth, at 1-5 in the international pools, and still holds the record for the 1,200 meters trip, just eight-hundreths of a second faster than Desert Party and Leahurst.  Godolphin Mile (G2)?  Dubai World Cup (G1)?  Regardless, Godolphin should be very happy with this performance off the shelf.

Godolphin's Desert Party, 2nd in the 2009 UAE Derby

Desert Party

Race 2 – $250,000 Al Bastakiya (Listed), 1,900 meters, Tapeta

#14 MENDIP took benefit of a leisurely pace and ran well clear in the Al Bastakiya, handily defeating #4 DELLA BARBA and more so, stable companion and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner #8 VALE OF YORK.  Mendip is a Triple Crown nominee and would require some graded earnings before an entry in the Kentucky Derby, earnings that could be obtained with a good run in the UAE Derby (G2).  Trainer Saeed bin Suroor indicated that no decisions about future race placements would be made until after the UAE Derby, where both Mendip and Vale Of York are expected to participate.

Start of the Bahri Al Bastakiya

Triple Crown nominated Mendip wins the Bahri Al Bastakiya at Meydan

Race 1 – $55,000 Al Maktoum Challenge R3 (G1) for purebred Arabians, 2,000 meters, Tapeta

Gillian Duffield won the first race with #9 NO RISK AL MAURY taking the win.  Doug Watson came in 2nd with #10 KANDAR DU FALGAS while #1 PALAPAL finished third.

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It’s a beautiful day in Dubai and Meydan’s first Super Thursday commences in just over an hour.  After a lot of rain earlier in the week that left parts of Dubai flooded, tonight is a fair 73°F.  Below is a photo of the Meydan racecourse with the stage set for Meydan’s first musical performance – STING.  The final race goes at 10:45 and his concert is set to begin at 11:00 PM Dubai time.  Sting, lead singer of the rock band The Police has earned more than sixteen Grammy Awards over his solo career, receiving the first in 1981.

Stage set for Sting's performance after the races

Mike de Kock won the last race with #6 LUCKY FIND.  #2 VESUVE was second over #1 LE DRAKKAR.

Lucky Find wins the final race of the night

Race 7 – $175,000 DRC Gold Cup, 3,200 meters, Turf

Saeed bin Suroor took the first two spots in the 7th race with geldings bred in the United Arab Emirates by Darley.  #10 SABOTAGE won the two mile DRC Gold Cup; stablemate # 1 AGE OF REASON was second.  Satish Seemar’s #5 POMPEYANO came in third.

Sabotage in parade ring prior to the 7th race

Horses pass the crowd for the first time in Meydan's first two mile course

Race 6 – $200,000 Balanchine (G3), 1,800 meters, Turf

Jerry Barton’s #4 DEEM from Saudi Arabia won the Balanchine (G3) over Godolphin’s #1 ASPECTOFLOVE. Mike de Kock’s #5 ZIRCONEUM was third.

Eventual winner Deem heads to the racecourse at Meydan

Deem wins the Balanchine (G3) over Godolphin's Aspectoflove

Race 5 – $110,000 Meydan Metropolis Conditions, 1,400 meters, Tapeta

#6 MIDSHIPMAN, the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner, and fourth in the Maktoum Challenge R1 (G3) behind Gloria De Campeao, ran on to establish a new course record for seven furlongs at Meydan, winning this conditions event.  Settling midfield, Frankie Dettori confidently guided Midshipman into the clear and held sway over stablemate #9 ASSET.  The win was a strong one, with a final time of 1:23.39, almost three-fifths of a second faster than the previous fastest 1,400 meters, set by Sirocco Breeze.

Midshipman is another that Godolphin must consider for the big night of racing on 27 March.  Do they go to the Godolphin Mile (G2)?  Dubai Racing Channel announced that Hong Kong miler Good Ba Ba is one that might make the trip for that race, tremendously increasing its profile.

Midshipman wins the $110,000 Meydan Metropolis

Race 4 – $250,000 UAE Oaks (Listed), 1,900 meters, Tapeta

#3 RAIHANA settled off the pace today and confirmed her opening night form when slowly progressing from the rear, this time, outside of horses, and the better trip really moved her forward, defeating #1 BIKINI BABE.  Raihana gave Mike De Kock back-to-back winners tonight and seems a progressive type who could move on to bigger and better things after another strong win.  #8 SIYAADAH did not have the same closing kick as her UAE 1000 Guineas run and settled for third.

Raihana in the parade ring prior to the UAE Oaks

Raihana in the winner's enclosure

Race 3 – $175,000 Meydan Horizons Handicap, 2,000 meters, Tapeta

Mike De Kock’s #3 MR. BROCK won his second race of the Carnival, settling just off the pace set by Godolphin’s #4 TROIS ROIS, who faded in the stretch.  #8 MEERISS stayed on for second while longer shot #1 HATTAN was third over #9 EMERALD WILDERNESS.  The question now for the connections is where to go with Mr. Brock, whose rating is likely to make him eligible for the Godolphin Mile (G2), but perhaps not high enough for a Dubai World Cup (G1) chance.

Mr. Brock in the paddock prior to the third race

Race 2 – $120,000 Meydan Museum Handicap, 1,200 meters, Tapeta

#5 STAR CROWNED took the second race for Rashed Bouresly, a popular on-track winner.  A victory for the stamina of thoroughbreds in the UAE, Star Crowned was making his fifth start of the meeting, having appeared in each of the five weeks of racing at Meydan.  Royston Ffrench settled just off the pace and outgamed #10 GOOD CONTROL and late-closing #11 ALO PURA.

Track at Meydan

Race 1 – $110,000 Meydan Hotel Handicap, 2,200 meters, Tapeta

Godolphin’s #13 ANTINORI, under a masterful ride by Ahmed Ajtebi, stormed home past the entire field to take the first race of the night.  #10 MARINOUS was a strong second and #5 KAL BARG, a winner earlier in the Carnival, was third.

Entrance at Meydan

Race 8 – $110,000 Commercial Bank of Dubai Handicap, 1,900 meters, Tapeta

Doug Watson’s #12 ROMAN’S RUN won the last race for the night, his second Carnival win in as many years, and yet another at a monster price.  He was 80-1 in the international pool.  #4 DON VELEZ was second for Saudi a by half length over Godolphin’s #12 ROMAN REPUBLIC.

Roman's Run wins the last race

Race 7 – $250,000 Al Fahidi Fort (G2), 1,600 meters, turf

#3 BANKABLE nipped the wire on the right mark when taking the Al Fahidi Fort (G2) for Herman Brown.  #11 IMBONGI was a hard luck second for Mike de Kock while local runner #5 IBN BATTUTA, featured as a Carnival horse-to-watch in the 2010 Dubai Racing Comprehensive, came in third.

Bankable in the parade ring

Finish of the Al Fahidi Fort (G2)

Winner's circle for the Al Fahidi (G2)

Race 6 – $110,000 CBD Worldmaster Card Handicap, 1,600 meters, Tapeta

Godolphin’s also eligible #13 SKYSURFERS drew in and won the first race under Frankie Dettori.  Mike de Kock’s #11 EAGLE MOUNTAIN was second and #7 CONSUL GENERAL was third.

Race 5 – $120,000 CBD Visa Infinite Card Handicap, 2,000 meters, Tapeta

#5 AL SHEMALI pulled a stunner for the connections that have been so close all Carnival long.  He was winless since a handicap at the beginning of the 2008 DIRC and only had two placings since.  His fifth behind Pan River was decent, but the improvement up nine pounds was hard to figure in only his second start since January 2009.  #3 NAVAL OFFICER was one who stayed on while many of the front runners faded and he might finally be on his best stride now, finishing just a nose behind #2 FIREBET.

Finish of race 5 - Al Shemali just gets up for Royston Ffrench

Race 4 – $120,000 Attijari Al Islami Handicap, 1,200 meters, Tapeta

It was yet another new dual-winner at the Carnival as #6 GLOBAL CITY bested #2 MONTPELLIER for the second consecutive time, now becoming the fifth horse to win twice at Meydan, and continuing a streak of ten consecutive races where the winners last raced at Meydan.  #4 JAASOOS improved well to be third while India’s #3 OASIS STAR just didn’t run on as her first time up.

Saeed bin Suroor and Frankie Dettori in the winner's circle with Godolphin's Global City

Race 3 – $120,000 CBD Financial Services Handicap, 2,200 meters, Tapeta

#5 DRUNKEN SAILOR became another dual-winner at the 2010 Dubai International Racing Carnival, besting Mike De Kock trainee #1 KING OF ROME, who was vying for the same honor.  #11 HELLO MORNING stayed on incredibly well and could be one to consider going forward.  Both Luca Cumani wins at the Carnival are courtesy of the son of Tendulkar.

Drunken Sailor wins the third

Race 2 – $120,000 Al Dana Handicap, 1,400 meters, Tapeta

Doug Watson did it again in the second race with #10 GREEN COAST, coming from well off the pace for the win over #11 SILVERSIDE, second again at the Carnival.  Watson now has a possible chance to step Green Coast up for the Godolphin Mile (G2) if field space allows.  #4 LOVELACE was third.

Eventual winner Green Coast in the parade ring prior to Race 2.

Race 1 – $40,000 Bani Yas (G2) for purebred Arabians, 1,200 meters, Tapeta

The #1 FIRSTWAN was scratched from the first race.  Doug Watson and Richard Hills came in for a win with #2 QUAOLINA, a mare with back form after being second to Fryvolous last year.  #9 PALAPAL finished second while UAE-bred #5 JINAD finished third.

Food court at Meydan