Click HERE for the full article.  Watch the Hong Kong Sprint below.

Well-backed after opening at 10-1 and being cut into 9-2 by the local punters at Sha Tin, Mastery landed the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase (G1) by 2.5 lengths.  Fifth in the 2010 Dubai World Cup (G1), beaten just 1.5 lengths after a five month layoff, Mastery was making his third start in the form cycle after a third behind Tazeez in the Darley Stakes (G3) and a dead-heat win at Kempton.  Frankie Dettori had the ride for Saeed bin Suroor and the victorious Godolphin Stables, their first win at the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Races since 2007, when Ramonti took the Hong Kong Cup (G1).  The final time for the 2,400 meters distance was 2:27.69.  Redwood, earlier winner of the  Northern Dancer (G1) at Woodbine, was second while Emirates Melbourne Cup (G1) winner Americain ran on for third.

Just 25 minutes later, J J The Jet Plane’s wild ride across the world reached its ultimate peak when he nipped Singapore’s Rocket Man to win the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint (G1).  A 17-1 winner, J J The Jet Plane hooked Rocket Man in a frenetic duel through the final 300 meters and just edged him on the line.  Trained to victory in the 2009 Al Quoz Sprint winner by Mike De Kock, J J The Jet Plane was sent to Europe and had little success before being returned to his native South Africa.  Back with his original trainer, Lucky Houdalakis, the win serves as the most significant tally on his foreign ledger.  Pierre Strydom had the winning ride. 

Rocket Man, second in the 2010 Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1), was a crack second after winning the local prep, adding another second to his ledger.  In 16 lifetime starts, Rocket man has never been worse than second with 12 lifetime wins.  Sacred Kingdom, looking for his third Hong Kong Sprint win, was third.  The final time for the 1,200 meters was 1:08.84.

Photo courtesy: Hong Kong Jockey Club

The last two Al Quoz Sprint (G2) winners are expected in the Sprint, J J The Jet Plane, who has recovered his past form back in South Africa, and Hong Kong native Joy And Fun.

Click HERE for more from Racing Post.

The Al Quoz Sprint is the only turf sprint run in Dubai that has listed or group status.  J J The Jet Plane, formerly trained by Mike De Kock, was the winner of the 2009 edition.  Several international media sources had reported the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) could possibly shift from its scheduled Tapeta to Turf for 2010.  DubaiRaceNight.com’s commentary from earlier in the week indicated that such a change would be highly unlikely, but rather, an addition to the schedule was more likely.  Click HERE for our original article.

“The highest rated sprinters in the world are predominantly turf horses and with the rich history of the Dubai Golden Shaheen attracting the best from the USA, we will now attract the best turf sprinters in the world with the addition of Al Quoz Sprint,” reported Dubai Racing Club chairman Malih Al Basti.

“Al Quoz Sprint is positioned perfectly on the international calendar to enable horses to run in Dubai and then go on to international sprints either at Royal Ascot or Singapore.”

The Al Quoz Sprint has been run for three seasons with the 2009 win from J J The Jet Plane as the most significant result in the race’s short history.  Click HERE for the full history of the Al Quoz Sprint with access to previous race charts.

UAE DERBY EXTENDED

The United Arab Emirates Derby, previously run over both 9 and 10 furlongs, has been extended from it’s current 1,800 meters distance to 1,900 meters.

In America, Indian Blessing (pictured below), second in the 2009 Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) behind Big City Man, won her first race of the year with a nip and tuck stretch-long battle against Godolphin’s Sara Louise in the Gallant Bloom Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park. 

The Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint is the likely next start, and also the expected career finale, for Indian Blessing.

Click HERE for the full story at SportingLife.

 
Dijeerr, a shocking 2009 Dubai International Racing Carnival winner, landed his first success since with a score in an arguably easier spot on Saturday, a class 3 condition stakes at Chester, over eight furlongs on good to firm going.  Ahmed Ajtebi was aboard for the winning ride.

J J The Jet Plane was fourth, beaten almost 2.5 lengths, in the Starlit Stakes (Listed) at Goodwood, marking the third consecutive race without a placing for the 2009 Al Quoz Sprint (G3) winner.

Hannon, telling the RacingPost, argued that “Haydock was too bad to be true, but he hated that testing ground…he still looks great and worked super on Thursday morning.”  Click HERE for the full story.

Carnival alum Beckermet is scheduled to run in the field of ten.  Also on Goodwood’s Saturday program are races featuring several other Dubai International Racing Carnival attendees: Bound By Honour, Bon Spiel, Beaver Patrol, and Noble Citizen. 

Over at Chester, Traffic Guard heads a seven-horse field in the 12 furlong Sportingbet.com Stand Cup (Listed) after his most recent win a similar event at Windsor, his first score since 2007.  Carnival winner Dijeerr headlines a four horse field later in the day.  At Doncaster, Cat Junior, 13th in the Godolphin Mile behind Two Step Salsa, takes part in the DFS Park Stakes (G2) over seven furlongs.  DIRC grads Balcarce Nov, Swop, and Doubnov are also on the Doncaster program.