The SAF Connection

The big news over in Dubai at the moment is that a South African trainer, Alec Laird, has been awarded the contract to run the stable of Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum during the carnival, following the suspension of previous trainer, Mazin Al Kurdi. The Sheikh has many horses in training, and the stable is definitely in the running to top the earnings log during the two months leading up to the World Cup in late March.

DUBAI RACING CARNIVAL, WEEK 1

Race 1: $55 000, Dirt 8 furlongs, purebred Arabians, GROUP 1, round 1 of the Sheikh Maktoum Challenge, 8 runners. Laird has two entries for Sheikh Rashid, one of which is Velte (US), winner of this race for the last two years. Al Saoudi (FR) and Kaolini (FR) come into the race off higher ratings though.

Race 2: $110 000, Turf 7.5 furlongs, handicap for horses rated 90 to 105, 12 runners. Azarole (Ire) is top rated at 105 and carries a hefty 60 kg’s. Laird has Little Good Bay (GB) for the Sheikh off a 95 rating. SAF jockey Peter Dillon rides the 100 rated seven year old, Egyptian (USA) and we are represented by Red Crescent (SAF), an eight year old son of Northern Guest, racing off a modest 91 with only 4 wins from 55 starts.

Race 3: $30 000, Dirt 7 furlongs, conditions race for three year olds, northern hemisphere runners get a four kg allowance, 16 runners. The South African team of trainer Herman Brown and jockey Stuart Randolph race Jet Express (SAF), a son of Jet Master. Alec Laird and Sheikh Rashid are represented by National Captain (SAF), a son of Captain Al. Another South African, Mike De Kock and Kevin Shea, are in here with Nomoretaxes (BRZ). Wovoka (IRE) is the highest rated of the northern hemisphere runners at 100, two points higher than National Captain, and carrying 4 kg’s less due to his younger age.

Race 4: $110 000, Turf 7.5 furlongs, handicap for horses rated 90 to 105, 12 runners. Kandidate (GB) carries top weight of 60 kg’s off his 105 rating. Laird trains Fez (SAF), a son of National Emblem, for the Sheikh.

Race 5: $110 000, Dirt 9 furlongs, handicap for horses rated 90 to 105, 16 runners. Billy Allen (IRE) and Elmustanser (GB) are the two top rated runners at 105. Brown and Randolph team up with Roehampton (GB), rated 99. Laird has both Gypsy Johnny (GB) and Clasp (GB) for Sheikh Rashid. Peter Dillon rides the 10 year old nine time winner, State Shinto (USA).

Race 6: $175 000, Turf 9 furlongs, handicap for horses rated 95 and above, 15 runners. Some of the big guns, though past their prime, step out here. De Kock has Key Of Destinty (SAF), a son of Qui Danzig, and Wolf Whistle (SAF), a son of Badger Land with Shea aboard. Both are now 7 years old and rated 113. Laird saddles 109 rated Trademark (SAF), a 9 year old son of Goldmark, for Sheik Rashid along with 100 rated Bailador (IRE). Peter Dillon rides Shanty Star (IRE), also 100 rated. Wolf Whistle holds the track record, set last year.

Race 7: $200 000, Dirt 8 furlongs, GROUP 3, round 1 of the Shadwell Farms Sheikh Maktoum Challenge, 10 runners. All runners here are carrying 57 kg’s. Blatant (GB) and De Kock’s Lundy’s Liability (BRZ), with Shea aboard, are joint top rated at 115. Peter Dillon rides 104 rated Baldaquin (GB). Laird saddles the 9 year old Cherry Pickings, rated 110 for Sheikh Rashid.

Race 8: $110 000, Turf 7.5 furlongs, handicap for fillies and mares rated 90 and above, 12 runners. Satwa Queen (FR) is the top rated older horse on 109. De Kock and Shea team up with Emerald Beauty (ARG), rated 102. Peter Dillon rides 101 rated Cat Belling (IRE), the track record holder from 2004. Festive Style (SAF), a daughter of Fort Wood, comes in with a 95 rating. Laird races the top rated 3 year old off 105, Rock Opera (SAF), a daughter of Lecture, for the Sheikh. Brown saddles the 91 rated 3 year old daughter of Western Winter, Imperial Ice (SAF).  

Note that the fields were still provisional at the time of this preview. A full form guide is available in PDF format at http://www.emiratesracing.com/eq/pdf/FG20060119.pdf