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.

2010 UAE Derby winner Musir is back in the CGA Hungerford Stakes (G2) at Newmarket.  In three starts in the UAE this year, Musir was second in both the Firebreak Stakes (Listed) and the Maktoum Challenge – R3 (G2) before a seventh in the Dubai World Cup (G1).  Racing in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, both horses are likely to need a run in their returns to competition.

Visit the Hong Kong Jockey Club site for full details on the draw and form guide for Monday’s big race, going off as the ninth race in an 11-race fixture.

Patrick Allen from the South China Morning Post has more on the late news defection of Cape Blanco from the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (G1).

Read the full story HERE.

After her last race, second behind Derbaas in the Al Fahidi Fort, Raihana just seems a different horse in Dubai than her attempts in Australia for David Payne.  She’s run the best races of her life over the Tapeta, and he three races on turf were solid, despite only emerging with one win.  The energy she showed this morning affirms our belief that she is on her best right now.

American-based Gio Ponti was two-faced this morning, coming out of the barn and on the track looking in fine fettle then seemed gassed and sweaty after two seemingly easy laps around the Tapeta.  Reports are that he traveled better this year than last, and we can attest to his acclimating over the course of the 2010 lead-up to the race, but first impressions are lasting ones and we didn’t get a good one today.  Temperatures this morning hovered around 20 C / 70 F and a slight breeze punctuated the air.  Gio Ponti was the only horse on track between 6:15 A.M. and the end of training to exhibit the sweaty appearance in our pictures.  Below, three sequential pictures of Gio Ponti – the first when he came out, the second after one lap of the track, and the third walking back toward the barn.  You be the judge on his appearance.

Gio Ponti coming on track

Gio Ponti after one lap

Gio Ponti after trackwork

Ali Rashid Al Raihe, winning trainer of the 2010 Dubai Duty Free with his longshot AL SHEMALI, will have four-time Dubai winner DERBAAS (pictured below) in the race this year.  While he hasn’t been over the 1,800 metres trip in his recent form (and only once in his career, a poor effort at Newmarket), his affinity for the conditions should suit him regardless.  Below, he was full of himself when something spooked both he and stable companion HAPPY DUBAI (Al Quoz Sprint) as they were moving onto the track.  Both hopped away and he then sprinted with aplomb out of the chute and into a full gallop as if sprung from the stalls. 

DYNAMIC BLITZ (Dubai Golden Shaheen) will look to confirm his win in the Al Shindagha Sprint (G3), a first-up Carnival win for the Hong Kong invader, beaten only a nose in his lone all-weather defeat back home.  Otherwise, it’s been a smooth ship for this son of Elusive Quality who carries his head quite high when galloping, somewhat evident below. 

Carl O’Callaghan couldn’t be happier with Kinsale King’s development, telling us this morning “he’s actually a touch better than he was last year at this point.”  That alone should be impressive, but consider that the “King” has only had one race since November, and it could make the son of Yankee Victor even tougher in defending his Dubai Golden Shaheen crown.  Below, the picture of a very pleased Kinsale King.