Dubai The Dubai World Cup meeting may seem a long way off, but not so for trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe, who is already plotting to challenge for some of the big prizes on offer at the $30 million (Dh110 million) meeting after saddling four winners at the opening day of the 2016 Carnival meeting on Thursday.
Al Raihie enthusiastically made known his future plans for exciting Al Maktoum Challenge (R1) scorer La Bernardin and sprint sensation Ertijaal, who together with Nawwaar and Ghaamer, made it an unforgettable night for the former two-time UAE champion handler at a bright and breezy Meydan Racecourse.
Le Bernardin claimed top honours with a storming run down the Meydan dirt under Tadhg O’Shea to win by a head from a trio of late finishers led by Layl, Prayer For Relief and Faulkner.
“That was close but we’re happy with the result,” said Al Raihe. “He’s a horse who likes a challenge and the mile is his maximum trip.
“We’ll look at races like the Zabeel Mile [Feb 25) and Al Bastakiya [March 5], but his principal target is the Group 1 Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup night [March 26].
“He has a high cruising speed and this run is perfect for the horse to improve off from.”
O’Shea, who hit a purple patch with three wins, concurred with his trainer and said: “He’s a very good horse. He stays well and he’s got a long stride. The last furlong was a bit lonely but then he just did enough to hang on.
“The big thing with him is to space his races out. We will let him recuperate from this and then his big target is the Godolphin Mile.”
O’Shea and Al Raihe also combined with Nawwaar to win the Longines Conquest Classic Gents Moon Phases and Ghaamer to land the closing Longines Master Collection.
“It’s unbelievable to win four races on the opening night [of the Carnival],” said Al Raiher. “We came here knowing we had several good chances but you can never be sure as there are so many good horses, trainers and jockeys that you are competing at.
“The whole team has worked hard for so many months to get the horses in good shape for the Carnival which seems worth the effort when you have a night like this.
Al Raihe also revealed that Ertijaal, a romping winner of the Longines Dolce Vita Collection sprint over 1,000m would be trained with the Group 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen on World Cup night as his ultimate target.
“We will also look at the Mahab Al Shimaal [Super Saturday, March 5] but his goal will be the big sprint race on March 26.”
For Nawwaar, who won the Longines Conquest Classic Gents Moon Phases handicap, Al Raihe said that the HH President Cup [Abu Dhabi, Feb 14] would be his next port of destination.
“This was always the plan. He ran a good race there last season [sixth behind Ertijaal] and should have a big chance this year.”
Meanwhile, Meydan speciallist One Man Band earned himself a vote for round two of the Al Maktoum Challenge [Feb 4) after shattering the 1900m track recond in beating Godolphin’s Emirates Flyer in the Longines Conquest Classic Ladies Handicap.
“He is a really nice horse and one we have wanted to step up to this kind of trip,” said Watson. “We will sit down and talk about it but the second leg of the Al Maktoum Challenge would have to be a serious consideration.”
South African handler Mike de Kock, the most successful overseas trainer at the Carnival, got off the mark with veteran Star Empire claimed the 2000m Longines Master Collection handicap under a well-judged ride by Sam Hitchcott.
“We knew he was in good shape because he had been working well,” said De Kock. “The 3200m Dubai Gold Cup is his main target on Dubai World Cup night but this win gives us a few more things to consider as he has won over such a short trip.”
Results
Race 1. Al Maktoum Challenge R1 $60,000 (PA - Group I) 1600M(a8F) - Dirt
$ 60,000
1.Thakif (N Samiri) Patrick Dobbs; 2. Af Mathmoon; 3 Bigg N Rich; 4. Sha’Red.
Dist: 3.75length, 4, Neck. Time: 01:46:82secs.
Race 2. Longines Conquest Classic Gents Moon Phases $110,000 (TB - Handicap) 1200m Dirt
1. Nawwaar (A Al Raihe) Tadhg O’Shea; 2. Kifaah; 3. My Catch; 4. Royal Ridge.
Dist: 1.25length, 1.5, 1.25. Time:01:11:61secs.
Race 3. Longines Dolce Vita Collection $120,000 (TB - Handicap) 1000m Turf
1. Ertijaal (A Al Raihe) Paul Hanagan; 2. Divine; 3. Speed Hawk; 4. Roi De Vitesse.
Dist: 4length, 0.75, 0.5. Time: 00:56:38secs.
Race 4. Al Maktoum Challenge R1 Presented by Longines Dolce Vita Collection $250,000 (TB - Group 2) 1600m Dirt
1. Le Bernardin (A Al Raihe) Tadhg O’Shea; 2. Layl; 3. Prayer For Relief; 4. Faulkner.
Dist: Head, Hd, Hd. Time: 01:37:12secs.
Race 5. Longines Master Collection $150,000 (TB - Handicap) 2000m Turf:
1. Star Empire (M de Kock) Sam Hitchcott ; 2. Elleval; 3. Sanshaawes; 4. Start Right.
Dist: 1.25length, 4, 1. Time: 02:01:59secs.
Race 6. Longines Conquest Classic Ladies $110,000 (TB - Handicap) 1900m Dirt:
1. One Man Band (D Watson) Patrick Dobbs; 2. Emirates Flyer; 3. Hunting Ground; 4. Artigiano.
Dist: 1.5length, 0.75, 0.5. Time: 01:57:85secs.
Race 7. Longines Master Collection $120,000 (TB - Handicap) 1400m Turf:
1. Ghaamer (A Al Raihe) Tadhg O’Shea; 2. Eastern Rules; 3. Majestic Mount; 4. Anaerobio.
Dist: 1.25length, Hd, SH. Time: 01:23:61secs.
