Dubai Carnival 2010 Discussion

[NoChanceToDance]

Very disappointed with Bridge Of Gold today, there must have been something amiss? His trainer has never been quiet about this horse an has said from day one he's the best he's got.

Perhaps flying closer to the race worked against him, but they thought that was the best plan.

Whatever the reason, forget that run because he is seriously good.

[NoChanceToDance]

The Tapeta appears to be riding much differently today. Horses on the pace have really struggled so far, with all of the winners, apart from Mendip coming from mid division or further back. This suggests that we should give a lot of credit to Mendip for his opening race success, where Uncle Tom came from the clouds to take second close home.

I wonder if they have prepared the track slightly differently than to previous weeks or whether they have now decided to quicken the track up?

What ever the reason, it's certainly changed from the opening few days, when being on the pace (fast or slow) was an advantage.

They haven't gone overly quick in either of the last two races today, but the horses who were dictating have finished a long way off them at the wire.

[NoChanceToDance]

Massive surprise in the Guineas - couldn't have found that winner if I'd been looking at the card for a week!!!

Once again the horses came from the back to take the placings

[my miss storm cat]

On Hali...

http://www.mickchannon.tv/news.php#642

Missed today but thrilled War Artist won!

[NoChanceToDance]

Well........... I couldn't have been much more wrong about Musir - what a performance. The mile for the first time, drawn widest of all in stall 14 and he's won EASY!

He can't have been fit at all the other week judging by that performance. SOME horse!

Very disappointed with Quartier Latin, after such good words coming from Doug Watson's mouth.


I'm kicking myself for not including Sirocco Breeze today. He was 9lbs better off with Mutheeb when not at his best behind Leahurst a few weeks ago, and it was there for all to see, but I decided to forget facts and go with how impressive Mutheeb was last time. I deserve a good kicking.

[NoChanceToDance]

Well it's good to see Jamie Spencer never changing a habit of a lifetime. Giving the best horse in the race a big enough handicap to get it beaten.

I feel for Crowded House backers.

[my miss storm cat]

Good luck to Hattan tomorrow.

Won't win, won't hit the board, no idea why he's even back (or what the deal with the year off is... anyone?) but I've loved him since the Premio Roma when he was 2nd to Cherry Mix (not his best race but the first time I ever saw him) so yeah... come home safe good boy. Hope they retire you cause God knows you deserve it!

* * *

I love this.


posted by, Lord Ilsley | Wed 17th, Feb 2010 10:44

DUBAI REPORT - THE 'HOOLIGAN" HAS LANDED AND THE BOSS GETS STRANDED

YOUMZAIN arrived yesterday afternoon five weeks ahead of his seasonal reappearance in the Dubai Sheema Classic on March 27th. A veteran of four Dubai campaigns, the seven year old knows the drill inside out these days and was keen to get on with this morning which involved a gentle trot and a walk around the International Stables situated some seven furlongs from the mighty Meydan track.


Sam Hitchcott who broke Youmzain all those years ago, flew over with him and there's no finer sight than the pair of them squabbling as Sam tries to convince the horse that his way is the best way. Youmzain, as ever, totally disagrees, but they always work it out in the end, much to the amusement of the Boss who chuckled throughout the morning.


"Sam seems to know how to deal with Youmzain and with Lesley White already out here, he has two people who know his ways as they've dealt with him since he started. He just knows the score and can be a bit of a lad when he's had a couple of days off, but he'll canter tomorrow and then we'll be back in the swing of things.


"Today was just getting him out and about, he had a good trot for 15 minutes and there's no better exercise for the horse than seeing him drag Sam around the yard for half an hour or so to cool down.


"In terms of his condition, he's certainly more forward in his coat than in previous years and came out of his box like a lion. He's great, I love the spirit that defines a good horse - he's a hooligan at the moment and fitter at this stage than he's ever been."


Of a more pressing nature, RILEYSKEEPINGFAITH continues his progress into his four year old campaign after missing the entire of 2009 through a series of niggling injuries. He'll line up on Thursday in the 6 furlong handicap on the all-weather for his second start at Meydan. His reappearance saw him run far better than the bare form suggests and Mick is certainly upbeat about his progress.


"When Riley arrived he was very wooly in his coat, but he looks a different horse in two short weeks. He's put on weight and has really thrived - I wouldn't be surprised if he ran a real big race this week. He's loving life again."


HALICARNASSUS and MONTAFF accompanied Riley in a six furlong spin on the Meydan tapeta track this morning, with Halicarnassus showing his well-being after his victory last week whilst Montaff continues to please as he looks to the two mile event next week.


On a separate issue, the Boss was quick to deny any rumours that have filtered through about a slight altercation in the desert on Friday morning. Apparently, having borrowed a Toyota Yaris from the travelling head lass of a noted adversary in order to travel from the yard to watch the horses work, he took a "short cut" only to ground the chassis on the only rock for miles around. It's alleged that he then simply abandoned the car, hitched a lift to the track and got someone to tow it out for him. Upon his return to the yard, he then went on to deny any knowledge of the incident, despite several eye witnesses hearing him utter the phrases, "Drat", "Silly Me" and "Darn it".


"That's utter *******s!" He said in his defence. "Besides, it was a Toyota Camry, not a Yaris."


This website wouldn't wish to spread gossip, but let's just say that if MRC is to be referred to as "The Doctor", the car in question has links to a rival trainer that we'll call "The Veterinary".

Some fun video...

http://mickchannon.tv/