Dubai: The 2016 Chengdu Dubai International Cup, a popular race meeting held at the Jinma Lake Racecourse in Chengdu, China, has been hailed as a big success by both the organisers, Meydan Group, and the host city.
Five thoroughbred races worth a combined total of RMB3.75 million (Dh2.13 million) were contested on Saturday including the featured RMB1.5 million Chengdu Dubai International Cup presented by Longines.
Meydan Board Member Mohammad Ahmad Bin Abdul Aziz Al Shehhi said: “The 2016 renewal of the Chengdu Dubai International Cup has been a great success. Now in its third year, this race day is one of the results of the ongoing relationship that exists between Meydan Group and the Government of Chengdu.
“We are happy to be here once again to share our knowledge and passion for horse racing with the people of this city and further strengthen the international ties between our two groups and our two countries.”
It was a case of third time lucky for the Zabeel Stables team when Richard Mullen piloted Start Right to victory in the 2218 metre Chengdu Dubai International Cup.
The Satish Seemar-trained nine-year-old recorded a one length victory over Doug Watson’s Jutland under Sam Hitchcott with Seemar’s Layali Al Andalus running on for third a short head further back.
Skygazer, trained by Ali Rashid Al Raihe, was declared a non-runner after unseating his jockey, Tadhg O’Shea, in the gates and completing the distance riderless.
“It’s about time,” said Bhupat Seemar, assistant trainer to Satish. “We’ve been coming here for the last two years, but this is our first winner. Start Right is always very consistent and he was third in this last year. The loose horse actually helped him because he goes to the front and stops. Layali Al Andulas ran a good race too, finishing third so it’s been a great trip.”
Trainer Musabah Al Muhairi continued his recent run of good form when adding a double to the two Dubai World Cup victories he claimed a week earlier.
Al Muhairi won the opening race with his Damar ridden by Xavier Ziani in the 1400m Wenjiang Sprint — then immediately followed up with success in the 1600m Guangsha Handicap for Court Room under Adrie de Vries.
Esmael Mohammad was another who saddled two winners when Stamford won the Meydan Handicap under Szczepan Mazur, while Expert won the 1600m Wenjiang-Meydan Classic under apprentice Marc Monaghan.
The Chengdu Dubai International Cup race day was the culmination of a week of media events based around the meeting which is organised by Meydan Group in partnership with the Chengdu Municipal Government, Chengdu Sports Bureau, Wenjiang District Government and China Guangsha Group.
