Behind the stable door: Show of stars a coup for Meydan

With a Sting in his step, Gordon Sumner entertained the crowds at Meydan last Thursday and while I don't mind saying I didn't hang around for the concert to start because of the late start, everyone I spoke to the following day said they didn't need any matchsticks to stay awake.

I am, however, certainly going to keep topped up on the Red Bull come World Cup day to ensure I don't miss a note from Elton John who is set to perform after the world's richest race. What a tremendous coup by Dubai Racing Club/Meydan to sign up one of the globe's biggest superstars. To think the racecourse only opened to the public on January 28 and now only two months down the line we've had one rock star perform and are eagerly awaiting the next; how many racecourses can boast that on their CV?

We shouldn't forget that the racing will play a massive part on the night and I only hope the winning line is slightly more obvious than the stick that has been used so far. I don't mind admitting I shall be glad when the final winner of the day crosses the line, and one thing's for sure Saturday Night will certainly be ‘Alright!'

The respective championships for both the UAE trainer and jockey are really hotting up; in fact, they're close to boiling point!

Going into tomorrow's meeting at Jebel Ali, Grandstand Stables boss Ali Rashid Al Raihe leads the table one winner ahead of Saeed Bin Surour, with Doug Watson only two behind. Gill Duffield who trains exclusively Purebred Arabians should be very proud that her tally has so far reached 21. Surely if given a few thoroughbreds to handle she would be very hard to beat. Al Raihe will be seeking his first championship and considering he only has around 52 horses in training it shows what an outstanding campaign he has had.

The race for the jockeys' title looks equally as competitive and Tadhg O'Shea (now dubbed ‘first race Tadhg' following his impressive record in the…yes, you get it) currently sits in the lead with 32 successes; two clear of Royston Ffrench.

I've often asked the riders if the UAE championship is something they aim to achieve and their response is perhaps not as enthusiastic as you might think. Maybe they don't want to tempt fate or perhaps it's more the fact that there is unfortunately no prize at the end of it all. Maybe Dubai Racing Club and the Emirates Racing Authority could put their heads together and think up a prize worth fighting for. To be at this stage of the term with both mantles still all to play for, it's a shame there's no incentive for jockeys and trainers to try and secure what in other countries (in the UK, the Champion Jockey receives a £10,000 cheque) is a battle worth winning.