Dream ride

Dubai: Just three weeks after making history by becoming the first licenced UAE professional jockey Ahmad Ajtebi has begun dreaming of riding a winner on Dubai World Cup night.

The ambition was fuelled on the opening night of the 2009 Dubai International Racing Carnival at Nad Al Sheba racecourse on Thursday after Ajtebi partnered ex-Godolphin horse Third Set to win the Green Desert handicap, the first in a series of races that lead up to the $5million (Dh18.35 million) Dubai Duty Free (Gr 1).

Ajtebi, a former camel jockey who already rewritten the record books with his worldwide exploits, was totally delighted to cut it alongside some of the best jockeys in the world.

“This is brilliant to ride a winner at the Carnival having only recently lost my claim,'' he said. “My big dream now is to get a ride on Dubai World Cup night, and who knows, maybe win as well.''

However, the big star of the night was Frankie Dettori.

The popular Italian completed a smart double for Godolphin trainer Saeed Bin Surour, which included a noteworthy victory in the first round of the Al Maktoum Challenge for thoroughbreds aboard My Indy.

The $6million Dubai World Cup might be over two months away but Bin Surour must already have designs on winning it for a the sixth time with a horse that has My Indy's profile.

The five-year-old looked a class act in his six-length thrashing of a high quality field and had his trainer Bin Surour searching for the plaudits.

“My Indy ran a big race and I was very happy with his performance,'' said Bin Surour. “He had been pleasing me with his work prior to tonight so I was expecting him to go well.

“If he comes out the race fit and healthy, then we will aim him at Round Two of the Al Maktoum Challenge on February 5.''

Earlier Surour and Dettori earlier teamed-up to score with their first runner of the season in Sos Brillante, who looked too superior for her rivals in the Nayef Fillies 1400.

Irish trainer Joanna Morgan landed a surprise win with Miss Gorica in the Muhtathir handicap over 1,500metres on dirt while Carnival regular South African trainer Mike de Kock opened his account with Silver Mist in the Mujahid handicap.

Kevin Shea, who was aboard the winner, said: “We had a bad draw but I was always going well and he picked up nicely.''