Final field.....
Tropical Star (poor boy) had won this last year..... he died shortly after in a freak accident.
A photo of his win cause he was really something and i always associate this race with him.
http://carnivalblog.dubairacingclub....tent/Tstar.JPG
24 January 2008
Nad Al Sheba Racecourse
6 21:55 AL SHINDAGHA SPRINT SPONSORED BY MEYDAN 1200M(a6F) Dirt
For NH 4YO+ & SH 3YO+ Weight: SH 3YO 55kg. NH & SH 4YO+ 57.5kg
Rail Position: True Safety Limit: 16
Total Purse: 200,000 USD Group 3
1(1) VALIANCE (USA) K Shea
4yrs Ch C (258) M de Kock
95 57.5 Kg Saif Darweesh Al Bishri
26 (5-2-6)
2(2) SEA HUNTER (GB) R Ffrench
6yrs Bay H (7) A Al Raihe
100 57.5 Kg [V] [TT] HRH Princess Haya
19 (8-6-2)
3(3) DIABOLICAL (USA) L Dettori
5yrs Ch H (180) S bin Suroor
113 59.5 Kg Godolphin
21 (8-7-2)
4(4) TERRIFIC CHALLENGE (USA) T Durcan
6yrs Ch H (28) D Watson
109 57.5 Kg [b] [TT] Sh Rashid bin Mohd Al Maktoum
20 (4-3-6)
5(5) MALAYEEN (AUS) A Ajtebi (nil)
5yrs Br H (21) A Selvaratnam
87 57.5 Kg [V] Hussain Nasser Lootah
10 (2-1-1)
6(6) POWER POLITICS (USA) W Smith
5yrs Bay H (21) M Al Muhairi
95 57.5 Kg [TT] Sh Majid bin Mohd Al Maktoum
22 (3-3-2)
7(7) BOTANICAL (USA) T O'Shea
7yrs Bay H (307) E Charpy
95 57.5 Kg [V2] [B-] [TT] Sh Hamdan bin Mohd Al Maktoum
28 (6-4-3)
8(8) SALAAM DUBAI (AUS) R Mullen
6yrs Bay G (28) A Selvaratnam
107 57.5 Kg [V] Farooq Racing
9 (5-2-0)
9(9) ASIATIC BOY (ARG) J Murtagh
4yrs Bay C (156) M de Kock
120 59.5 Kg Sh Mohd bin Khalifa Al Maktoum
17 (4-1-0)
10(10) MERCURY CHIEF (SAF) A Nicholls
6yrs Ch G (34) A Manuel
95 57.5 Kg [TT] The Bayern Syndicate
The following horses have been declared with Shadow Rolls: ASIATIC BOY (ARG), MALAYEEN (AUS), SALAAM DUBAI (AUS), SEA HUNTER (GB), VALIANCE (USA)
TRACK RECORD: 25-Mar-00 Big Jag (USA) 57.0 1200 Fast 1:08:10 A Solis
* * *
Form comments, from our friends at the ERA.....
Valiance (USA) 4 starts 1-1-2 Lightly-raced colt, whose best run came when runner-up in a Listed race in England on his second of four starts. Has non-turf experience, having run twice on a polytrack surface, but has not run since May and is sure to play second fiddle to stablemate Asiatic Boy.
Sea Hunter (GB) 26 starts 5-2-6 Already run four times this season, winning over course and distance on his penultimate start, before disappointing when fancied a week ago. Will appreciate the drop back in trip but a lot more needed here.
Diabolical (USA) 19 starts 8-2-6 Has some top class form in the US, having finished runner-up at the highest level, and comes here on a hat-trick after victories in a Grade 3 and then Grade 2 contest (both over today’s trip). Makes his Godolphin and UAE debut here, and the Dubai operation are bang in form, judging by their double last week. Big chance.
Terrific Challenge (USA) 21 starts 8-7-2 American import who shone on his first season in the UAE last season. Won the Mahab Al Shimaal on Super Thursday here last year - the switch to dirt not proving a problem on his first start for Doug Watson. He then followed up with a respectable seventh in the Dubai Golden Shaheen, before disappointing on his seasonal bow last month. A chance if he can recover his best form.
Malayeen (AUS) 20 starts 4-3-6 In the form of his life at the age of six. Having his sixth run at the track this season and comes here on a hat-trick, having made use of a feather weight to see off Frosty Secret in the Winter Racing Challenge Final. Will need to improve significantly again and has little chance on the ratings.
Power Politics (USA) 10 starts 2-1-1 Ex-Godolphin inmate, who scored on his penultimate start over course and distance last month, before finishing seventh behind Malayeen. Can reverse the form, as 24lb better off here for a four and a half length beating, but should still be outclassed.
Botanical (USA) 22 starts 3-3-2 Not won since June 2005 and makes his seasonal debut here, having last been seen in the Jebel Ali Sprint on March 23. Not much to recommend him.
Salaam Dubai (AUS) 28 starts 6-4-3 Has done connections, who seem to have knack of uncovering top-notch sprinters in the UAE, proud. Finished seventh behind Terrific Challenge in the Mahab Shimaal, before producing a career best third in the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen. Won on his seasonal bow at Jebel Ali in November, before disappointing when fifth behind Sea Hunter over course and distance last month. Has a winning chance if he can repeat his Shaheen form.
Asiatic Boy (ARG) 9 starts 5-2-0 Took the UAE racing scene by storm last season, winning four races including the UAE Triple Crown, highlighted by the UAE Derby on Dubai World Cup night. Was then tried twice in the UK in top class contests won by Ramonti and Authorized, where the world class competition, longer distances and turf tracks proved beyond his reach. Takes the unusual route of dropping down to a sprint trip, but should have too much natural speed to be caught here.
Mercury Chief (SAF) 17 starts 4-1-0 A Group 2 winner in South Africa, he has run four times in the UAE, winning a handicap at Jebel Ali more than a year go, before finishing fifth in a conditions race there on his seasonal bow last month. Will need this drop down in trip to have a drastic effect to take a hand here.
Good luck, Asiatic Boy, Diabolical, Salaam Dubai and Terrific Boy!
