The Carnival!

[brockguy]

Lamico Steve could do very well running off 105.. Hard Top giving him a pound.. Plus, I cant wait to see Ea - my 2nd favourite Godolphin horse running tomorrow (try searching his name on the racingpost website!). What will most likely happen him tomorrow if he is cranked up is that he'll meet horrendous traffic in running, fly home late and be considered a most unlucky loser..

[NoChanceToDance]

Doesn't surprise me what the sheikhs have done to that poor horse. Have money will buy anything is their attitude and that isn't what racing should be about.

Just about to have a look at the cards for tomorrow, so I can post my selections quickly

[my miss storm cat]

On Conroy, from our friends at the ERA.

He was 4th in R1.


Evergreen Conroy bids to roll back the years
07:47 - 31 January 2008


The evergreen Conroy, arguably the most popular horse in training in the UAE in recent years, embarks on what will surely be the final chapter of his remarkable racing career at Nad Al Sheba tomorrow when contesting the opening 1000-metre dirt handicap.

The 10-year-old gelded son of Gone West is fast approaching 30 career starts since making his debut back in 2001, when runner-up in a maiden.
That was after being sold to his owner Mohd Al Jamali for the princely sum of AED 30,000 having not raced for Godolphin or then John Sadler, who he was originally based with.

Al Jamali had put the colt into training with Adi Selvaratnam and the new partnership was rewarded with a win on his second start. Conroy improved throughout that season to win both the prestigious Jebel Ali Sprint and Mahab Al Shimaal. That gained him an invite to the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on World Cup night when he was ninth to Caller One.

The following season, he again won the Mahab Al Shimaal and contested the Dubai Golden Shaheen, when 10th to State City.

However, 2004 was arguably the pinnacle of his career when winning the Mahab Al Shimaal for a third time and finishing third to Our New Recruit in the Dubai Golden Shaheen.

In 2006 he was runner-up in the Al Shindagha Sprint before one more crack at the Dubai Golden Shaheen, but only beat one home behind winner Proud Power Too.

Last season he had two starts for Tony Manuel but is back with Selvaratnam this season who reports him in good shape: “He worked very well last week but is obviously getting old now.

“He has had so many problems over the years and owes nobody anything. It would be nice to think we could get him back near his best but that is a big ask at this stage of his career.

“He is enjoying his work and is ready for a race. We will just have to see how he gets on but I think he will run well.”

His last handicap appearance was a winning one in 2005 – off a mark of 111. He runs off 95 here, so who knows - with Selvaratnam’s sprinters firing on all cylinders - a remarkable comeback may not be an impossible dream.

In the same race, Frankie Dettori partners Robert Cowell’s Canadian Danehill and the trainer revealed: “Frankie recommended I brought him over for the Carnival so here we are. I had a winner with Forever Phoenix last time we came over so maybe lightning can strike twice.”

Mike De Kock’s Drayton has been gelded since his European campaign which included a fifth in the Group 1 Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and he looks well worth trying over this trip having shown a lot of pace.

Also on the card, the 2400-metre turf handicap features an intriguing clash between John Oxx’s lightly-raced four-year-old Mourilyan and Brazilian Group 1 winner L’Amico Steve.

[my miss storm cat]

Oh!

Okay not part of the Carnival BUT look who won today!!!

Jebel Ali Racecourse

Post Time: 14:00

The Winner :
Jonquil (IRE)
Running Time :
1:40:47


4 15:45 JEBEL ALI MILE SPONSORED BY KINGWOOD HOUSE STABLES 1600M(a8F) Dirt
For NH 4YO+ & SH 3YO+ Weight: SH 3YO 54.5kg. NH & SH 4YO+ 58.5kg
Rail Position: True
Total Purse: 350,000 AED Listed

FP DIST HR HORSE WGT EQPT DR TRAINER JOCKEY
1 93 Jonquil (IRE) 57.0 [V1] 8 D Watson W Supple
2 2.75 104 Golden Arrow (IRE) 57.0 [b] [TT] 6 E Charpy P Smullen
3 0.75 90 Roman's Run (USA) 57.0 [TT] 2 D Watson M Dwyer
4 1 97 Quebec Citizen (BRZ) 57.0 [P1] [CP] 11 M Al Muhairi W Smith
5 1.25 90 Sahara Sphinx (USA) 57.0 [CP1] 14 M Al Muhairi D Smith
6 0.75 104 Reve Lunaire (USA) 57.0 12 S Seemar T Durcan
7 0.75 100 Stepping Up (IRE) 57.0 [TT] 1 E Charpy D Badel
8 0.5 107 Arqaam (GB) 57.0 7 D Watson R Hills
9 0.25 90 Estihdaaf (USA) 57.0 [CP] [TT] 10 A Al Raihe R Ffrench
10 1.25 85 Forty Hablador (ARG) 57.0 [b] [TT] 3 A Manuel K Latham
11 0.5 100 Dubai Honor (GB) 57.0 [P] 5 D Watson D O'Donohoe
12 15 102 Massive (IRE) 57.0 4 D Selvaratnam J Murtagh
13 4.25 90 Zorin (BRZ) 57.0 9 H Brown R Moore

OWNERS: 1. Fawzi Abdulla Nass , 2. Sh Hamdan bin Mohd Al Maktoum , 3. Elsadig Elhag , 4. Sh Saeed bin Mohd Al Maktoum , 5. Sh Ahmed bin Mohd Al Maktoum , 6. Sh Rashid bin Mohd Al Maktoum , 7. Sh Majid bin Mohd Al Maktoum , 8. Sh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum , 9. Sh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum , 10. Mohd Nayamat , 11. Sh Saeed bin Mohd Al Maktoum , 12. Sh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum , 13. The Bayern Syndicate

NON-RUNNERS: Star Crowned (USA)

[my miss storm cat]

Day 4.....

http://www.emiratesracing.com/eq/Rac...cefile_id=7223

[my miss storm cat]

Form comments, from our friends at the ERA.....

Maktoum Challenge R2


ETIHAAD (GB) 2002 b h Dubai Millennium - Elfaslah (Green Desert) 3 starts 1-0-0 A half-brother to a Dubai World Cup winner in Almutawakel and by a Dubai World Cup winner in Dubai Millennium who impressed when making his UAE debut before another good effort when stepping up to this grade when fourth to Happy Boy in the opening round. Followed up a week later but disappointed when seventh in handicap company on the turf. Back to dirt here and if he can reproduce his opening round effort he has sound claims.

SAHARA SPHINX (USA) 2003 ch h Giant’s Causeway - Sculpture (Deputy Minister) 8 starts 2-1-0 Won first two starts of this season in lower grades but disappointed since. Fair effort last start when fifth in Jebel Ali Mile last Friday but this is harder and needs to improve.

RAMPALLION (GB) 2003 b g Daylami – Minute Waltz (Sadler’s Wells) 7 starts 3-1-0 Impressed on first start for new trainer and first run on this surface last start when winning over this course and distance in handicap company. Came from well back there and suited by fast pace on that occasion but has shown ability in the past and can handle rise in grade here.

DELUDE (IRE) 1998 ch g Be My Guest – Deceive (Machiavellian) 56 starts 9-8-7 Veteran campaigner who returned to winner’s list for first time since November 2006 last start when easily accounting for Alo Pura in handicap company. Stepping up group company here and others appear to have better claims.

QUORUM (GER) 2003 b h Acatenango – Quest Of Fire (Rainbow Quest) 11 starts 3-2-0 Impressed on his first season of racing in 2006/2007. Best of three runs this season was two starts back when second at Abu Dhabi. Disappointed last start in handicap company last Thursday and stepping up in grade here.

IMPERIAL STAR (IRE) 2003 br h Fantastic Light – Out West (Gone West) 10 starts 3-1-2 Having first run for new stable here and form when last in work was quite good. Hasn’t started since his fourth in Group 3 company on all-weather at Kempton in early September. Winner in Listed company and all three wins over 2,000m. Has solid form on all-weather in England and stays under notice here.

LUCKY FIND (SAF) 2003 ch g Rich Man’s Gold – Little Erna (Ernani) 10 starts 5-4-0 Quality South African performer whose final run there was second in the Group 1 Daily News. On first run in Dubai and first on the dirt he could not have been more impressive recording an easy victory over the above average Third Set over this course and distance. Bound to be fitter for that and although this is harder and he received all the breaks last start he appears a horse of the highest order and will be hard to beat in this.

WEST VIRGINIA (USA) 2001 dk b/br h Tomorrows Cat – Wild and Wonderful (Kennedy Road) 27 starts 7-6-5 Ex American-trained horse with good form in Graded company there including placings at Grade 1 level. Not raced since October 2006 and fitness the query here.

EU TAMBEM (pictured) (BRZ) 2003 b h Wild Event – Charmosa (Fain) 9 starts 7-1-0 Argentine Derby winner in 2006 and then could not have been more impressive when coming to Dubai and on debut at last year’s Carnival beat the older horses in the third round of the Al Maktoum Challenge. Returned to own age at only other run but disappointed when well back behind Asiatic Boy in the UAE Derby. Could obviously be hard to beat here.

JACK SULLIVAN (USA) 2001 ch g Belong To Me – Provisions (Devil’s Bag) 33 starts 7-6-3 Outstanding performer on this course winning this race twice in 2005 and 2006. Was also successful in the Burj Nahaar in 2006 and fourth in 2005 Dubai World Cup. Finished well back in Japan Cup Dirt three starts back but subsequent appearances in England were good. Disappointed on first run back here when caught wide from a high draw and tired in final stages when 13th of 16 in opening round. Better suited by smaller field here and extra furlong but place claims appear best.

BOSCOBEL (GB) 2004 ch c Halling – Dunnes River (Danzig) 8 starts 5-1-0 Quality three-year-old of last season making debut for new trainer here and having first run on dirt. Led throughout to win King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot before his fourth in Irish Derby behind Soldier Of Fortune. Only run since then disappointed and obviously something amiss when distant last behind Lucarno in the Great Voltigeur in August. Had won up to 2,400m but this trip is average winning distance. Has the speed to overcome wide draw here and should be able to position nicely in race. Choice of stable jockey. Must be considered.

KANDIDATE (GB) 2002 b h Kabool – Valleyrose (Royal Academy) 41 starts 8-1-6 Scored surprise all-the-way win in this race last year before his sixth in Dubai World Cup. Failed to win in six starts since then in England, Singapore and Japan but form has been far from disappointing, excusing his latest run in Japan Cup Dirt. Has always shown best form in Dubai and has proven that this track suits and again must be respected.

[Hickory Hill Hoff]

Originally Posted by my miss storm cat

Form comments, from our friends at the ERA.....

Maktoum Challenge R2


ETIHAAD (GB) 2002 b h Dubai Millennium - Elfaslah (Green Desert) 3 starts 1-0-0 A half-brother to a Dubai World Cup winner in Almutawakel and by a Dubai World Cup winner in Dubai Millennium who impressed when making his UAE debut before another good effort when stepping up to this grade when fourth to Happy Boy in the opening round. Followed up a week later but disappointed when seventh in handicap company on the turf. Back to dirt here and if he can reproduce his opening round effort he has sound claims.

SAHARA SPHINX (USA) 2003 ch h Giant’s Causeway - Sculpture (Deputy Minister) 8 starts 2-1-0 Won first two starts of this season in lower grades but disappointed since. Fair effort last start when fifth in Jebel Ali Mile last Friday but this is harder and needs to improve.

RAMPALLION (GB) 2003 b g Daylami – Minute Waltz (Sadler’s Wells) 7 starts 3-1-0 Impressed on first start for new trainer and first run on this surface last start when winning over this course and distance in handicap company. Came from well back there and suited by fast pace on that occasion but has shown ability in the past and can handle rise in grade here.

DELUDE (IRE) 1998 ch g Be My Guest – Deceive (Machiavellian) 56 starts 9-8-7 Veteran campaigner who returned to winner’s list for first time since November 2006 last start when easily accounting for Alo Pura in handicap company. Stepping up group company here and others appear to have better claims.

QUORUM (GER) 2003 b h Acatenango – Quest Of Fire (Rainbow Quest) 11 starts 3-2-0 Impressed on his first season of racing in 2006/2007. Best of three runs this season was two starts back when second at Abu Dhabi. Disappointed last start in handicap company last Thursday and stepping up in grade here.

IMPERIAL STAR (IRE) 2003 br h Fantastic Light – Out West (Gone West) 10 starts 3-1-2 Having first run for new stable here and form when last in work was quite good. Hasn’t started since his fourth in Group 3 company on all-weather at Kempton in early September. Winner in Listed company and all three wins over 2,000m. Has solid form on all-weather in England and stays under notice here.

LUCKY FIND (SAF) 2003 ch g Rich Man’s Gold – Little Erna (Ernani) 10 starts 5-4-0 Quality South African performer whose final run there was second in the Group 1 Daily News. On first run in Dubai and first on the dirt he could not have been more impressive recording an easy victory over the above average Third Set over this course and distance. Bound to be fitter for that and although this is harder and he received all the breaks last start he appears a horse of the highest order and will be hard to beat in this.

WEST VIRGINIA (USA) 2001 dk b/br h Tomorrows Cat – Wild and Wonderful (Kennedy Road) 27 starts 7-6-5 Ex American-trained horse with good form in Graded company there including placings at Grade 1 level. Not raced since October 2006 and fitness the query here.

EU TAMBEM (pictured) (BRZ) 2003 b h Wild Event – Charmosa (Fain) 9 starts 7-1-0 Argentine Derby winner in 2006 and then could not have been more impressive when coming to Dubai and on debut at last year’s Carnival beat the older horses in the third round of the Al Maktoum Challenge. Returned to own age at only other run but disappointed when well back behind Asiatic Boy in the UAE Derby. Could obviously be hard to beat here.

JACK SULLIVAN (USA) 2001 ch g Belong To Me – Provisions (Devil’s Bag) 33 starts 7-6-3 Outstanding performer on this course winning this race twice in 2005 and 2006. Was also successful in the Burj Nahaar in 2006 and fourth in 2005 Dubai World Cup. Finished well back in Japan Cup Dirt three starts back but subsequent appearances in England were good. Disappointed on first run back here when caught wide from a high draw and tired in final stages when 13th of 16 in opening round. Better suited by smaller field here and extra furlong but place claims appear best.

BOSCOBEL (GB) 2004 ch c Halling – Dunnes River (Danzig) 8 starts 5-1-0 Quality three-year-old of last season making debut for new trainer here and having first run on dirt. Led throughout to win King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot before his fourth in Irish Derby behind Soldier Of Fortune. Only run since then disappointed and obviously something amiss when distant last behind Lucarno in the Great Voltigeur in August. Had won up to 2,400m but this trip is average winning distance. Has the speed to overcome wide draw here and should be able to position nicely in race. Choice of stable jockey. Must be considered.

KANDIDATE (GB) 2002 b h Kabool – Valleyrose (Royal Academy) 41 starts 8-1-6 Scored surprise all-the-way win in this race last year before his sixth in Dubai World Cup. Failed to win in six starts since then in England, Singapore and Japan but form has been far from disappointing, excusing his latest run in Japan Cup Dirt. Has always shown best form in Dubai and has proven that this track suits and again must be respected.

Wondered where this NY bred went, very interesting he wound up here!

Looks like a great card on Thursday morning (my time!)