Behind the stable door season opens in breeders' shadow

Dubai: As one turnstile closes another one opens, and this weekend is a case in point. Tomorrow, for the first time since March, Jebel Ali welcomes back racegoers to its unique course and with Sharjah, as well as Abu Dhabi, helping form part of a busy triple header, the campaign starts with a bang.

However, while it is very exciting to have racing back in the UAE, on the same day, Santa Anita in California hosts the first of its two-day Breeders' Cup world thoroughbred championships, and even if you're not the most enthusiastic of race fans, you really can't help but get a little worked up at what talent is on show; I'm talking exclusively about the horses of course.

Godolphin rely on a gigantic contingent of 15 horses to represent the Dubai-based operation, while the whole meeting sees a total of 34 European contenders in action - a record in the 26-year history of the event.

I'm looking forward to seeing Zacinto take his chance in the Mile race, and after running Rip Van Winkle to a narrow margin in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot last time, I really think he has the credentials to go very close. He is trained by Sir Michael Stoute, who also relies on Conduit in the Breeders' Cup Turf, so it could be a good day for runners trained in Newmarket.

Talking of Newmarket competitors, I haven't yet had the chance to vent my lack of understanding as to why Tom Queally has been "jocked off" Fleeting Spirit in the Dirt Sprint, despite lifting (literally) Jeremy Noseda's charge to a gritty success in the G1 July Cup at Newmarket. He also finished second in both the Haydock Park Sprint Cup and the Prix De L'Abbaye at Longchamp last time.

Hard to believe

It is just hard to fathom why a rider who has ridden four Group One winners this term should be asked to give up his ride for a jockey who, talent and charisma apart, has not ridden a winner at the highest level in the UK this season.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking Mr Dettori, he is so good for racing and isn't too bad in the saddle as well. But in the words of part-owner Andy Stewart: "I believe Tom Queally will go to the top and could be the next Kieren Fallon or Lester Piggot."

An exemplary commendation, but perhaps contradictory, and seemingly not quite enough to warrant the leg up on one of the most prestigious fixtures of the racing calendar. The Irishman, based at racing's HQ, does however take the mount on Twice Over in the Classic for Khalid Abdullah and Henry Cecil.

Not camera shy

A big thank you to all the various trainers who allowed the Dubai Racing cameras to visit their yards recently.

I had a very pleasant surprise when visiting Dhruba Selvaratnam's Jebel Ali Stables. It really is a magnificent training establishment and the former champion conditioner is well equipped both on horse power and training facilities to ensure a profitable season lies ahead.