1. How about that Al Fahidi Fort (G2)? The photo finish is posted below. Both #3 BANKABLE and #11 IMBONGI flashed home in front of a surprising hot early pace while rising star #5 IBN BATTUTA slalomed through the field to come close at the end. What was remarkable about this particular race was the clear degree to which both Bankable and Imbongi exchanged the lead in the final 150 meters – then, Ibn Battuta galloped out past both of them immediately after the finish. All three are likely eyeing the Dubai Duty Free (G1) but Ibn Battuta might need a rise in the weights to qualify as things currently stand. Clearly, this son of Seeking the Gold is the best horse to emerge from the local racing scene in the UAE this year and good things are likely in the future.
Photo courtesy: Emirates Racing Association
Watch the Dubai Duty Free below:
2. Could the Carnival get any better for Doug Watson? Surely, it could, but Watson has to be immensely pleased with the performance of his barn over these last two nights after scoring back-to-back wins previously with FORCE FREEZE and BARBECUE EDDIE. Watson landed four winners over the weekend, including both Arabian events with Nirwan on Thursday and Quaolina on Friday. GREEN COAST, who almost always shows up and runs a great race managed the first thoroughbred event Friday and ROMAN’S RUN pulled an absolute shocker in the finale. On the international commingled tote, Roman’s Run was an overwhelming 80-1. After the win, Watson said that Roman’s Run has an awful bleeding habit, but he runs a good one if he keeps in and he sure did in the last of the night.
3. SKYSURFERS drew into Friday’s brutally difficult sixth race, a basic allowance with a quality field, and drew away in grand style for this once raced son of E Dubai. With a win over the classy EAGLE MOUNTAIN, Skysurfers is likely to see a massive rise in the ratings and would make sense for a start in the Burj Nahaar (G3) on Super Thursday. To make this event more impressive, Skysurfers clocked the fastest 1,600 meters of the Carnival, which was even better than CALMING INFLUENCE’s 6.25 length win on Thursday. In just his second lifetime start, I have to think that Skysurfers stands to improve with time and age, giving Godolphin a massive prospect.
4. Should this be considered an oddity or a trend? In the six races at the Carnival over 1,600 meters on Tapeta, five of the six have been won by horses breaking from stalls 11 and wider. Only AL ARAB, who broke from post two on February 4, survived an inside draw.
5. MUSIR ran a grand race winning the UAE 2000 Guineas (G3) over FROZEN POWER and a fast closing DELLA BARBA, who galloped out well past the winner. Concerns that Musir would not get the 1,900 meters of the UAE Derby (G2) seem forgotten at this point.
6. How about Ahmed Ajtebi? This guy is riding with ice in his veins, and there is no better example than the Maktoum Challenge (G3) win on Thursday aboard ALLYBAR. While Ajtebi had little success in his six week prep in America this winter, he has shown remarkable patience and acument over the Tapeta. Allybar, after going relatively close in the trial race when winning over PRESVIS, was shuffled back to last leaving the backstretch on Thursday. I thought something was amiss or at least that Allybar was tired, but instead, Ajtebi sensed the field was quickening a bit early. He waited to the perfect moment and then got a better jump on CROWDED HOUSE, briefly boxing the favorite, and had enough to hold off a late charge. Ajtebi is now tied for second in the jockey standings during the Carnival.
Feel free to add your thoughts and comments below. Racing continues in Dubai next Thursday with the UAE Oaks, Balanchine, and DRC Gold Cup leading the charge.