Newmarket trainer Noseda set for nostalgic trip to Dubai

Top Newmarket trainer Jeremy Noseda is all set for a dose of nostalgia when he sends three horses to compete in the inaugural Dubai International Racing Carnival, which commences at Nad Al Sheba on January 19.

Noseda is no stranger to the emirates having worked for Godolphin assistant trainer to Hilal Ibrahim during the stable's formative years in 1993-95.

"It's a long time since I've been to Dubai and yes, I'm really looking forward to coming back," Noseda told Gulf News from his UK stable at Shalfeet yesterday. "I just hope it works out alright and we do ourselves justice."

Noseda played a major role in the training of some of Godolphin's great champions like English Derby winner Lammtarra, English Oaks and Irish Derby heroine Balanchine, and Moonshell, who also won the Oaks, before he returned to the UK to pursue an individual career.

The Newmarket trainer, who saddled 38 winners during the 2003 UK flat-racing season including seven Group winners and two Group Ones, revealed that he will be sending three runners to Dubai - the four-year-old Wizard of Noz, Courageous Duke, a five-year-old and the seasoned six-year-old Aidemus, for the two-month long Dubai Racing Carnival.

The trio are expected to arrive here on January 18 and will be based at the International Stables. Noseda is expected to follow early February. "The horses will be initially targeted at the rated handicaps to give them a chance to adapt and take the change of coming from the winter in England," he said.

"Being older horses they are going to have more chances of acclimatising and running to their true form. These horses also fit the programme for the festival meeting races."

Noseda revealed that all three horses will have their first starts in early February. "Once they've had their first runs we'll all have a better idea of what the future holds and where we can go on from that," he said.

"Obviously we'll be looking at some of the pattern races during the Carnival, but we'll first have to wait and see just how they adapt and how good they are to compete in races of that sort. There's plenty of good races for them during the Carnival. All three have been in full training in preparation for Dubai and we hope that they can do us proud."

Reflecting on his stint with Godolphin Noseda said: "There are too many good memories of very, very good horses. When I arrive there I'm sure it will be like a trip down memory lane. I was fortunate enough to be able to train great horses like Lammtarra, Balanchine, Halling, right through to Red Bishop and Cezzane.

"Back at that time it was all starting out and a bit of an adventure. It was marvellous. If I have one regret it is that I didn't enjoy it enough," Noseda added.