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Race preview for the opening meeting of the 2010 Dubai International Racing Carnival

28. January 2010

Eight race card features international field on the new Tapeta track

January 28, Dubai, UAE -The eagerly awaited opening meeting of the 2010 Dubai International Racing Carnival is upon us and Thursday evening will herald the beginning of a new era in the UAE with the first meeting staged at Meydan. The futuristic new UAE flagship racecourse will stage its first meeting with an eight race card, all on the new Tapeta synthetic surface, and highlighted by the opening rounds of the Maktoum Challenge, one for Thoroughbreds and one for the Purebred Arabians.

Both races are over 1600m and the Purebred Arabian race, a Group 1 contest, under the patronage of owner His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum whose Shadwell Farm generously sponsor the whole meeting. He owns three of the 12 runners with retained jockey Richard Hills electing to ride UAE debutant No Risk Al Maury, with second jockey Tadhg O'Shea on history-seeking Kandar Du Falgas.

The latter, trained by Doug Watson, is seeking a historic third consecutive win in the race and the trainer said: "It would be lovely to win the first race at Meydan, especially for Sheikh Hamdan and the horse has been training well. Obviously he is not proven on the surface in a race but is fit and well. We have to be hopeful."

The Thoroughbred equivalent looks very competitive and provides a true reflection of the Carnival's international flavour with runners from the UK, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Ireland, France, South Africa and Brazil all declared. The race was won by Godolphin's My Indy last year and he will seek to become the first horse to win the race twice, though it would appear significant that stable jockey Frankie Dettori has chosen to ride stable companion Midshipman.

Trainer Saeed Bin Suroor said: "Both are fit and well and pleasing us at home. Midshipman ran well at the Breeders' Cup, while My Indy had a very good 2009 Carnival so hopefully both can run big races."

Pascal Bary trains Gloria De Campeao who was behind My Indy in this last year but in front of the same rival when second in the Dubai World Cup. He is capable of a bold show, as is Saudi Arabia's Consul General.

Otaared can run a big race for Dhruba Selvaratnam, who has not won the race since the inaugural running in 2004, while Hunting Tower will bid to give South African Mike De Kock a second win in the race. De Kock said: "We are all really looking forward to the night and Hunting Tower should give a good account of himself, though he may just need the run."

However, it could be that the UK provides the biggest challenge to the Godolphin team and Chris Wall's Premio Loco and Ralph Beckett's Without A Prayer are both proven on this type of surface. Jeremy Noseda's Forgotten Voice was a Royal Ascot winner, while jockey Richard Hills won this in 2006 on Blatant and partners Mark Johnston's Lovelace this year.

Johnston said: "Richard (Hills) rode plenty of winners for us last year and is a top jockey. Obviously this is a tough race but the horse seems fit and well, though I do suspect he will improve for the outing."

John Ryan's Ocean Minstrel completes a strong UK challenge, while Ireland rely on Philario.

It has been a long wait, but the opening meeting at Meydan is finally here.

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