Steven Burridge, an Aussie native training in Singapore for some time, has had two wins from his three starters at the lucrative Carnival (Dark Matter, Captain Obvious), the first such wins for Singapore.  The island nation did claim their first Dubai World Cup programme win with Rocket Man in March, annexing the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1).  Ip Man runs at Saturday’s meeting, the fourth of Burridge’s contingent.

So You Think last appeared in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, his first start on dirt, and finished a most credible sixth.

Appearances in the UAE have been limited for the operation, but they did record a win in the Dubai City of Gold (G2) when Front House scored over the stalwart, Quijano, racing in the all navy colours of Mrs. John Magnier.  That mare was co-owned with a South African stable.

Tosen Jordan, winner of the Tenno Sho (Autumn) (G1) in stakes record time, was reported to have a similar goal as So You Think, according to Japanese racing blogger and photographer Kate Hunter.  Tosen Jordan tied a Japanese national record for the fastest 2,000 metres on turf with that win, and finished second behind Buena Vista in the 2011 Japan Cup (G1).

Mendip, well-known as a horse that flourishes first-up, never got a run and finished fourth after a slightly-troubled break that may have kept him out of the optimal position.

All photographs are courtesy EERC/Cedric Lane – these and others can be purchased – contact UAERacingPictures @ gmail.com

Both horses in the quinella are owned by Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum and due at least another run during the Carnival before their World Cup programme goals.  Musir is likely a Dubai Duty Free (G1) horse, per de Kock.

Earlier, Singapore’s Dark Matter (pictured below) rode the rail under Ted Durcan to score an upset win in the UAE 2,000 Guineas Trial over fast-closing Kinglet and Godolphin’s favoured pace, Rassam.  Trained in the island nation by Steven Burridge, Dark Matter’s first up win is of dramatic encouragement for There is little doubt that Kinglet ran the eye-catcher, going 14 metres more than Dark Matter, according to the Trakus data, available HERE from the Dubai Racing Club website.

One of the most intriguing performances came from Songcraft (below) in Thursday’s finale.  Now an unbeaten three-from-three, the son of Singspiel has now recorded wins from 1,800 to 2,400 over the grass, all by relatively comfortable, but narrow margins.  While wearing the oft-considered third-string red cap for Godolphin, Sylvestre DeSousa seemed to have the measure of longshot Belgian Bill throughout.  Godolphin’s top runner, Alkimos, did not return to form, confirming DubaiRaceNight.com observations in our pre-race form analysis.  Where this guy goes is anyone’s consideration – handicapper Melvin Day will be in a tricky spot over his future rating, but presumably, it would shoot higher than his initial 105 and could push him out of the 100-110 rated events.  A go in stakes company, or over farther, is a likely consideration.  Mikhail Glinka, having his first start since a troubled run in the Canadian International (G1), ran a sneaky good race first-up, and is one to consider in a similar race next time.

Friday’s Jebel Ali Stakes (Listed) went the way of front-running Treble Jig under Wayne Smith, who recorded a keen double on the day, along with Richard Mullen.  The final margin, running up the hill, was a lengthening ten lengths for the son of Gone West who is a confirmed danger when let loose on the lead over any surface.  He was backing up after running off too quick in the 2,800 metres New Year’s Eve test at Meydan, which was preceded by a front-running win at Abu Dhabi.

The opener on the Friday card saw the fourth consecutive win for Kilt Rock (pictured below, multi-coloured stripes), racing for the Emirates Entertainment Racing Club.

With three wins over 1,000 metres under his belt, he stretched to 1,200 against some better company, managing the same result.  The final time of 1:11.07 was only .14 slower than the fastest of the season recorded on the straight course, with the entirety of the trip run up-hill.  Alo Pura recorded that measure on December 30 off a rating of 104, and carrying 3 kilos less than Kilt Rock.  This guy is a force at Jebel Ali and has run well at Meydan before.  A reasonable rating increase would see him go up at least six pounds for the effort considering the final timing.  Satwa Street, who carried 52.5 kilos under Mirco Demuro, set a fast pace and could not hold off the onslaught of the streaking Kilt Rock.

Youm Mutamiez (left, below) concluded the day for Musabah Al Muhairi and Wayne Smith, with a solid four-length tally in his all-important third-start of the campaign, greatly reversing form from his first two starts.

Photo courtesy – Singapore Turf Club

Click HERE for FORM GUIDE – courtesy of Emirates Racing Authority

Click HERE for PAST PERFORMANCES (US-Style) – courtesy of AmWest Entertainment

___________________________________________________________

Race 1 – US$110,000 Longines Conquest Collection Handicap (Rated 95-105)
1,900 metres (a9.5F) – Tapeta

The 2012 Dubai World Cup Carnival gets under way with a relatively short field in advance of the biggies later in the card.  #4 SARRSAR should get the Frenchman Mickael Barzalona off to a good start.  A gelding by Shamardal, he doesn’t have the normal fit of a Carnival looker for the boys in blue as he had a relatively recent race in his form from early November.  His two tries on all-weather have been overwhelming wins, including one over 2011 Carnival winner Lost In the Moment for Godolphin.  He managed to do Lost In the Moment one better on grass in his next start also, and just seems a likelier pick than his top-rated stablemate #1 CAPPONI.

#5 KAL BARG must be a consideration here going third off the layoff for the in-form team from Jebel Ali.  Third off the layoff is a good angle for this one, who was saddled with a wider draw last time and settled well out the back before making a strong far turn run, recording the fastest final 400 metres according to Trakus .  Clasp, who finished third that day, came back to win and the last place finisher from that race, Profondo Rosso, had a strong late rally into a slow pace over 1,900 here last week.  This one is certainly an upset chance over form that is likely to be ignored a bit internationally.

#2 MODERN HISTORY was well-beaten in the French 2,000 Guineas when asked to run with greater prominence then bounced back at Chantilly with a respectable bid in the Prix Moussac (G3) behind eventual Prix Jean Prat (G1) winner Mutual Trust.  He should go over the Tapeta without a problem.

1^st – #4 SARRSAR, 2^nd – #5 KAL BARG, 3^rd – #2 MODERN HISTORY

__________________________________________________________

Race 2 – US$110,000 Longines Prima Luna Handicap (Rated 95-105)
2,200 metres (a11F) – Tapeta

That bit of work in the Betfred Quebec Stakes (Listed) at Lingfield has the look of a leg-stretcher for #6 LYSSIO, the German-based runner looking to get their first such winner at the Carnival since Quijano.  Lyssio was 50-1 in that race on 17 December and probably never had a chance.  He was ground-saving throughout and looked like he had every reason to back up, but essentially just stayed on to finish beaten as much as he had trailed throughout most of the race, about four lengths.  Some old decent Carnival horses were in here, including Navajo Chief.  In the end, it comes down to pace.  With a field of nine that lacks much early gallop, this guy could take up the running and not look back.

#8 AHLAAIN is another who might be forwardly placed.  He’s had two local preps for the Carnival and had to tote 60 kgs last time, now getting dropped down to 54 under the condition.  That’s a significant break for the son of Bernstein who was second in the Al Bastakiya (Listed) here last year.  Definitely a chance to improve from what looks like a potential key race, the same one reference above where Clasp went on to win.

#1 HONOUR SYSTEM is a logical choice for some, but he’s another that needs to run on from well out the back, and we just don’t see the pace setup favoring the heavy choice, who did have a win last year at the Carnival, but only after two local starts.  In his local debut last year, he was well up the track and only rounded-in when favoured by the handicapper late in the season.

1^st – #6 LYSSIO, 2^nd – #8 AHLAAIN, 3^rd – #1 HONOUR SYSTEM

__________________________________________________________

Race 3 – US$20,000 Longines Dolce Vita Handicap (Meydan Masters Leg 1)
1,600 metres (a8F) – Tapeta

Wow – tough race.  Whichever of the Masters lands this one deserve the crown anyway.  #2 UPTOWN GUY is our pick here.  A son of Speightstown, who gets about 20 percent winners with his all-weather starters, this will be the second time this one gets over the synthetic, the last being a solid run at Kempton in April 2011 when the 9-4 favourite.  He’s also a half to a listed winner over all-weather in the US.  With Willie Haggas in the UK, Uptown Guy has had the most recent success and just seems the in-form horse here, now will have to deal with the impost.  #4 FURNACE did much of the running last Saturday at Meydan and swings back for his fifth start since November 18.  He will appreciate the cutback to 1600 and could at least hang on for a slice.

We saw Mirco Demuro ride his heart out on a purebred Arabian at Abu Dhabi on Sunday and can’t help but think he will ride like a man possessed in these races, doing everything possible to get as much business as he can.  That being said, maybe #11 MUFFRAAJ just needs the touch of a Dubai World Cup winning jockey.

1^st – #2 UPTOWN GUY, 2^nd – #4 FURNACE, 3^rd – #11 MUFFRAAJ

__________________________________________________________

Race 4 – US$120,000 Longines Column Wheel Chronograph (Rated 100-110)
1,000 metres (a5F) – Turf

Really, the most notable thing in this race is that Royston Ffrench rides #4 GREEN BERET and not #1 HAPPY DUBAI, who had three wins over the straight course last season.  Ffrench didn’t ride the first two when out a few weeks, so the parting is notable here.  Green Beret is winless on the grass since 2008 and 2009, so this seems a slightly questionable spot, especially in light of his win at the Carnival on Tapeta last year.  We are avoiding both in this spot.

#5 INVINCIBLE ASH has the look of a horse put away with the Carnival in mind.  He was a nose beaten by eventual G1 winner Prohibit and then amongst the wide photo from the Al Quoz Sprint (G2) last season.  They know what they are doing here, and he’s a true horse that won’t jerk your expectations around.  He is a very firm selection for us in here.

#6 NOCTURNAL AFFAIR is likely to be in a better position to do some Carnival damage as opposed to last season.  Put away by David Marnane, who had a winner on opening night last year, his company is strong, and the listed win to end the year, even if on all-weather, is still respectable.  A good chance regardless of our strong opinion.  #10 MONSIEUR JOE was best up when first up last season and should be involved in the frame.

1^st – #5 INVINCIBLE ASH ***NAP***, 2^nd – #6 NOCTURNAL AFFAIR, 3^rd #10 MONSIEUR JOE

__________________________________________________________

Race 5 – US$110,000 Longines Master Collection Moon Phases Handicap (Rated 95-105)
1,600 metres (a8F) – Tapeta

#7 START RIGHT broke his maiden over all-weather at Wolverhampton in October 2009 when with Luca Cumani and beat an eventual 2011 Carnival winner in Psychic Ability.  It’s been all grass since that point, but this Godolphin inmate has the look of well-meant first out with hopes of advancing beyond this rating.  He made a single appearance at the 2011 Carnival and ran well to miss Win For Sure and Raihana when he was toting only 53 kilos.  Out of that race, the horse who finished just behind Start Right was a next out winner (Barbecue Eddie).

We tipped #6 FAMOUS WARRIOR to win last season and he did at 35-1 in the international markets.  Now that the self-backpatting has come to an end, you absolutely know that last race was a prep.  He’s drawn wide but has natural speed to get to the front, which is something many in this field do not offer on the form.  He still might need this race, but we’ll give him a look underneath and not be surprised to see him on top.

#5 CITY STYLE pulled a big upset defeating Golden Sword last time out, almost a year ago.  Now, he comes back and interestingly enough, races for Mahmood Al Zarooni, but in the colours of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, a new partnership that seems intact with several runners on the night.  We are guessing he is a quirky sort, but a course and distance winner, he’s tough to completely ignore.

1^st – #7 START RIGHT, 2^nd – #6 FAMOUS WARRIOR, 3^rd – #5 CITY STYLE

__________________________________________________________

Race 6 – US$125,000 Al Rashidiya Trial presented by Longines
1,800 metres (a9F) – Turf

#10 MAHBOOBA got a rotten ride last time when in the EP Taylor Stakes at Woodbine and still hung on for a decent share over a boggy course.  The going is firm but the trip might still be short of her best on grass.  She has an absolute shot in here, but we just can’t support her given the organization of the weights.

We spoke to Al Raihe on Sunday and the first horse out of his mount was #2 DERBAAS, the son of Seeking the Gold, a winner of four straight last season, including the Al Fahidi Fort (G2).  There wasn’t much to come out of that race behind him, but overall, we know he likes to run well fresh.  Al Raihe hasn’t led us astray when talking about his barn’s top horses, having absolutely loved Mufarrh in the Godolphin Mile last year when completely ignored internationally.  You have to go with what you know, and since we know Al Raihe is all over him, that’s a great sign.  We are a bit concerned with the trip, however, as 1,800 metres might be beyond his best having been life and death to hold through 1,600.

You almost always get a good run from #5 ST MORITZ, a Dandy Nicholls runner who is still looking for that elusive win in the UAE, coming in with an 0-for-65 mark.  Placing chance at the worst.

Who is ripe to win this event?  It might be a bit sharp for Mahbooba, too much for Derbaas, there hasn’t been enough prep in #7 WAR MONGER, a few others seem outclassed.  Let’s go with #9 LAAJOOJ.  After winning the Fairway Stakes (Listed), he had just one more start, falling sixth of 16 to Pisco Sour in the Tercentenary Stakes at the Royal Ascot meeting.  Fourth home that day was Namibian who went on two two wins in Group 3 company and fifth was Barbican, who reeled off four wins in his next five starts, including a listed win in November over all-weather at Kempton.

This is a tough one, and really, could see any mentioned score.

1^st – #9 LAAJOOJ, 2^nd – #2 DERBAAS, 3^rd – #10 MAHBOOBA

__________________________________________________________

Race 7 –  US$120,000 Longines Saint Imier Collection Handicap (Rated 100-110)
1,400 metres (a7F) – Turf

Only 16 to go here, separated by six pounds on the ratings…no problem.  Races like this are what the Carnival is all about.

#12 DANDY BOY won this race last year off a similar rating, drawn out in gate 11, coming in with an up-the-track performance in listed company.  Now, drawn in 11, coming into the race with an up-the-track performance in listed company…the Marnanes know what they are doing, and they have been waiting for this spot for a while.  He might be tough to stop.  #9 HUJAYLEA was second to Dandy Boy in that race and arguably had the tougher go of it.  There is no way we should be surprised if either bolts home on top.

#11 MORAN GRA has the look of a horse that will kick on later in the Carnival, and #13 WONDER LAWN is a prospect who has bolted from time to time when on the grass.  #3 ACROSS THE RHINE got a legstretcher two weeks ago in Abu Dhabi and was never going to do anything then.  #15 ABJER’s best lifetime races have been on turf, and that races here last season was nothing to ignore, now getting Royston Ffrench.

In the end, even more than we’ve mentioned have a chance.  There is plenty of speed in this race, coming mostly from #1,3,4,6,11, and 14.  Let’s go mid-division and tip Dandy Boy for the repeat.

1^st – #12 DANDY BOY, 2^nd – #13 WONDER LAWN, 3^rd – #9 HUJAYLEA

__________________________________________________________

2011-2012 UAE season-to-date results: 131 selections: 30 first, 22 second, 14 third
Top Tip: 23% win, 50% top three