Focus on Royal Tryst, Trademark

A number of scores are to be settled when the three principals from the National Day Cup renew rivalry in the inaugural running of the Dh350,000 Tawi Murghem, 1,500 metres, at Nad Al Sheba this evening.

Royal Tryst, Trademark and Calcutta filled the three placings in the National Day Cup and while the winner impressed, there was a strong thought that the South African champion Trademark should have won after being held up at a vital stage in the straight.

The Tawi Murghem has attracted a class line-up for its first running and adding further to the puzzle, there is no doubt that Calcutta will come on a great deal for the run while the former Godolphin Mile winner Conflict and A Touch of Frost must also be considered.

Conflict has his first run for new trainer Mazin Al Kurdi, the son of Warning not having appeared since his fourth to Grey Memo in the Group II Godolphin Mile on the Dubai World Cup programme.

That effort followed a third to Festival Of Light in 2001 and a defeat of Iftitah in the 2000 running.

However, most attention will be on whether Trademark and Calcutta can reverse the National Day Cup result with Royal Tryst.

Trademark was a dual Group I winner in South Africa prior to his arrival in the Emirates, was most impressive when finishing second to Royal Tryst and there is no doubt the long Nad Al Sheba straight will be of benefit.

The only question surrounding him is whether the drop back to the 1,500 metres will suit him when he may now be looking for further.

Negating that is that Trademark is obviously a horse of the highest quality and from barrier four he will be well positioned by Ted Durcan.

Royal Tryst has done nothing wrong since he made his Emirates debut over this course and distance just over a year ago when second to the Bahraini filly Claranet, ending that first campaign with a fifth to Street Cry in the Group I Dubai World Cup.

He showed that he had improved even further with his impressive performance to win the National Day Cup.

Champion Irish jockey John Murtagh takes the ride again, the rider continuing his good form last week, travelling to India to win the Indian 2000 Guineas.

Calcutta is a quality racehorse from England who did nothing wrong when third to Royal Tryst and Trademark in the National Day Cup, settling back near the rear with Royal Tryst and getting to the line well.

One fact is sure, however, that the winner of the Tawi Murghem can claim to be the leading miler in the Emirates.