The Carnival!

[my miss storm cat]

Originally Posted by fmc123412

Dono da Raia is a monster...the horse has a late kick in the final stretch that is out of this world....but he comes ALWAYS from the back of the pack.

He is brazilian record holder for 2.400m on the turf and won GP São Paulo and GP Brasil (the biggest brazilian races) in the same year as a 3 yo colt...he was awarded brazilian horse of the year and champion 3yo...in 9 starts he won 5 (2 G1, a G2, and a listed), got 3 second places and his worst position here was a fourth place in the Derby....it's impossible to imagine him as a last place in a mediocre race...

But with his new owners...he is playing a rabbit for his barn fellows....he is dueling with front runners...and of course...this is not his characteristic...an he got completely tired in the final stretch

I don't know why the sheiks paid over a million (maybe next to the 2 millions) dollars to do that with the poor horse...i can't really understand why is that...

If, at least, he was running his way....at the back of the pack....i would not argue....but playing the front runner....tsc tsc tsc

Aaaah well that sucks. Sorry to hear it.

There's always the Blatant factor though.... he accidentally won, hit the board a few times, while being a rabbit so maaaaaybe.....

Hopefully they'll see it as a mistake and change the plans for him.

[my miss storm cat]

Day 3...

http://www.emiratesracing.com/eq/RaceCards.cfm

ERA form comments.....


LORD ADMIRAL (USA) 2001 b h El Prado – Lady Ilsley (Trempolino) 38 starts 4-13-8 Returns for his third Dubai campaign where previous efforts have seen him second in the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort, Group 2 Jebel Hatta and Listed Zabeel Mile. His win strike rate is not impressive, however he has always raced in the best of company and definitely has the class to win this. Yet to win beyond 1,600m but has been placed up to 2,000m.

SENOR DALI (IRE) 2003 ch h Peintre Celebre – Far Fetched (Distant Relative) 13 starts 3-1-1 Ninth in this race last year on his second Dubai start before leading throughout over 2,000m in handicap company here. Finished fifth in strong handicap on only subsequent run at this track and hasn’t been seen since early March. With new stable and this his first run for 11 months so fitness may be query but has ability.

THE PIRATE (DEN) 2003 b h Primatico – Medinova (Mas Media) 15 starts 4-3-2 Danish competitor who has good form in home country but disappointed on latest effort in Songline Classic in Sweden. Has won up to 2,000m but facing massive rise in class here. Form hard to gauge and on ratings looks safely held.

MONTPELLIER (IRE) 2003 b g Montjeu – Ring Of Esteem (Mark Of Esteem) 17 starts 2-3-3 Showed decent form in strong handicap company in England last year when trained by Ed Dunlop. Final run in UK disappointed on polytrack at Kempton before being sent to Dubai and present trainer. Not run since early September and not suited by the set weights here but comes from a stable in form and can manage a place.

GHARIR (IRE) 2002 gr h Machiavellian – Summer Sonnet (Baillamont) 14 starts 2-1-3 Has shown good form since arriving in UAE, including a second behind Sushisan over 2,000m here last carnival. First two runs this campaign were good, winning over 1,600m at Jebel Ali before a third in the Listed Jebel Ali Mile. Beaten a long way when sixth over 1,800m last start on dirt but is clearly better than that. Steps up to group company here but was third in the French 2000 Guineas as a 3YO. Must be considered.

JAY PEG (SAF) 2003 b h Camden Park – Laptop Lady (Al Mufti) 13 starts 8-2-0 High class South African making Dubai debut here. Winner of the Cape Guineas and Derby as a three-year-old before being beaten in three subsequent runs against the older horses – all at Group 1 level. Has impressive record and although has to concede three kilograms due to the Group 1 penalty looks the one to beat. Stable won this with Linngari in 2006.

KING JOCK (USA) 2001 dk b/br g Ghazi – Glen Kate (Glenstal) 45 starts 8-6-4 Thoroughly genuine type returning for fifth Dubai campaign. Winner over 1,500m this course in 2005 and 2006 before returning last season to win National Day Cup – HH The President Cup double in Abu Dhabi. Form after that was very good and on his return to Ireland maintained that level. Resumed on dirt last start and ran well despite not being suited and return to turf here will benefit. Has raced well in Europe in this company and forward showing can be expected.

TESLIN (IRE) 2004 b g In The Wings – Yukon Hope (Forty Niner) 13 starts 3-3-1 Formerly prepared in UK by Brian Ellison, form was good there winning three from 12 before being sold and sent to Dubai. At first run for new trainer turned in impressive performance when held up and getting to line well to finish second behind impressive stablemate Al Shemali last week. Bound to have come on for that and although taking on toughest assignment to date has claims. Stable won this with Sabadilla in 2000, All The Way in 2001 and Naheef in 2003.

YASOODD (GB) 2003 br h Inchinor - Needwood Epic (Midyan) 19 starts 2-3-2 Strike rate doesn’t look impressive but is a genuine type who always runs a good race. Form during last carnival was good and can overlook first run this season when unsuited by dirt course when fourth behind the impressive Lucky Find. Needed that run to prepare him for this and although not having won for near two years, he can strike back to winning form in this.

DAVIDOFF (GER) 2004 b c Montjeu – Dapprima (Shareef Dancer) 9 starts 2-2-3 German-trained horse with quite impressive form. Winner in this class last year and wasn’t far away in German Derby. Not seen since last start third in this grade at Hoppegarten. Never finished further back than fifth in nine career starts and must be respected in this.

[my miss storm cat]

Crisford, on Happy Boy.....

Simon says.....

“He will join Saeed bin Suroor at Al Quoz for the remainder of the Carnival and be aimed at the last round of the Maktoum Challenge where he will carry the colours of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.

“We will then decide on future targets.”

[my miss storm cat]

A bit on Jay Peg...

http://www.sahorseracing.com/columnist.asp?col=9

PPs are posted on the pps thread.

[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.