Thursday night sees the first of two cracking race meetings from Meydan, and for a change it's not all about the equine talent.
The Meydan Masters competition is back in town and sees 12 of the world's top riders go head-to-head in four races at the UAE's flagship racecourse.
Staged over two days, each jockey will be riding all-out to gain as many points as possible which are available right down to last place.
William Buick makes a return to the track after a lengthy spell on the sidelines but (after being knocked unconscious) has very sensibly followed UK guidelines and given himself a mandatory lay-off period before getting the all-clear from the BHA'S chief medical adviser Dr Michael Turner before returning; a system not in place in the UAE.
Calvin Borel, or Bo-rail as he's more commonly referred to, is another high class jockey taking part in the competition and the three-time Kentucky Derby-winning rider will be a very welcome visitor to the Emirates, as will Frenchman Maxime Guyon who brings even more style and panache to the glittering list of world-renowned riders.
Closely involved with organising the competition, DRC International Department Manager Marty Talty is understandably very happy with this year's signings and said: "The Meydan Masters established itself in the Carnival calendar last year and this season we will see the winning jockeys of the Kentucky, English, Irish, French and Japanese Derbies all riding against each other. It is certainly a unique occurrence and emphasises the concept of the Dubai International Racing Carnival, not only attracting horses from around the world but also the best jockeys."
COUNTDOWN CONTINUES
Henry Cecil issued an upbeat bulletin concerning his Dubai World Cup contender Twice Over and reported that his dual Champion Stakes winner will fly out to Dubai next week with the aim to run in the final leg of the Maktoum Challenge, which at this stage could end up a mini World Cup itself if Mendip and Bold Silvano, winners of the first two rounds, turn up as well.
I've still been up to my tweeting and while a few of you may call me a twit, the social networking site is a fabulous way to get updates from various trainers about their horses running around the world and Ed Dunlop let all his ‘followers' know that his star filly, Snow Fairy, worked well earlier in the week and a tilt at the $10 million Dubai World Cup could be on the cards, although connections are still keeping their options open with the Sheema Classic still under consideration.
I'm still doing well with my early mornings and dragged myself out of bed yesterday to go and see Jerry Barton's classy mare Deem who runs in Friday's conditions stakes, which will be her first start on the Tapeta. A dashing grey, the dual Carnival heroine is another hopeful for the big night on March 26 and is also being aimed towards the Sheema Classic, where she finished fourth last year, although, if she wins impressively on Friday, the World Cup is a distinct possibility.
