Cladocera Shaping up for Group 2 Balanchine Glory
Umgiyo and Hunter’s Light Clash in Listed Dubai Millennium Stakes
Victory in the Group 2 Balanchine for fillies and mares at Meydan Racecourse on Thursday could see classy French runner, Cladocera followinthe footsteps of fellow female turf stars, Sun Classique and Sajjhaa.
The official feature an 1800m contest on a Meydan Sobha-sponsored Dubai World CupCarnivalcard,is restricted to fillies and mares. Seven of the nine declared clashed in the 1600m Cape Verdi three weeks ago, when Cladocera was the easy victor.
Trained in France by Alain De Royer-Dupre she bids to become the third winner of both races – just like Sun Classique (2008) and Sajjhaa (2013), who went on to win the Dubai Sheema Classic and Dubai Duty Free respectively.
Cladoceraispenalisedforthat win but, nonetheless, looks as though she will be very hard to beat.
“We were pretty confident before the Cape Verdi,” said her jockey, Christophe Soumillon. “She won well that day and has improved for the outing.Hopefullyshewill be hard to beat.”
Zurigha(2nd), Anahita (3rd), Victoria Regina (4th), EnergiaFribby(5th), Slipper Orchid (6th) and Oh Star (7th) take her on again but it is hard to see them reversing the form.
“I think we all face a stiff task to beat Cladocera,” said Simcock, trainer of Victoria Regina. “My filly should run well but we are looking at place money I think.”
The Godolphin and Mike de Kock powerhouses clash again in the 2000m Listed Dubai Millennium Stakes with Hunter’s Light bidding to make it three on the bounce for Godolphin after Quick Wit and Tasaday landed the last two renewals.
The race, named after Godolphin trainer, Saeed Bin Suroor’s 2000 Dubai World Cup winner and HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s favourite horse, was first run in 2011 and has been won by Godolphin on three occasions.
A dual Group One winner, including the concluding round of the Al Maktoum Challenge in March 2013, Hunter’s Light won for the first time since in a handicap over Thursday’s course and distance.
“He won very well last time and we were very pleased with him,” said Bin Suroor. “We expected him to run well as his work had been very good and he has continued in great form at home.
“This was the next obvious step for him, up in class but we are very hopeful.”
South African Mike De Kock saddlesUmgiyo, winner of an 1800m turf handicap on his sole local start to date. He was impressive on that occasion and, as importantly, staying on strongly suggesting the extra 200m will suit.
“We were very hopeful the other day,” said De Kock. “That was a handicap though and this is tougher – especially with Hunter’s Light in the field.”
Calling Out has his first run for David Simcock and has been pleasing his trainer: “His form in France was very strong and his work has been good. He seems to like fast ground and we are looking forward to running him.
“It is an interesting race and Hunter’s Light and the De Kockimproverare going to be hard to beat.”
The meeting opens with the 1400m Group 2 Bani Yas on the dirt and the only Purebred Arabian race on the card. It features a clash betweenpenalisedGroup 1 winnersAreemand Bigg N Rich.
Caption: Cladocera and Christophe Soumillon cruise to Cape Verdi victory three weeks ago. They will attempt to claim the G2 Balanchine sponsored by Meydan Sobha at Meydan on Thursday
Credit: Dubai Racing Club//Andrew Watkins
Meydan Sobha Returns to Meydan Racecourse in 2015
Godolphin Mile Sponsor Developing Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City – District One
Meydan Pillar Partner and Godolphin Mile sponsor, Meydan Sobha makes its second visit of 2015 to Meydan Racecourse on Thursday, February 19 in support of a seven-race Dubai World Cup Carnival programme.
The lucrative meeting will offer prize money of over US$1m and is highlighted by a pair of prestigious contests on the turf. The Group 2Ballanchinefor fillies and mares will be held at 1800 metres and offerprizemoneyof US$200,000 and the listed Dubai Millennium Stakes will be contested at 2000m also with $200,000 on the line. They are joined by the Group 2 Bani Yas for Purebred Arabians at 1400m on the dirt. The first race is scheduled for 6:45pm with the gates to open at 5:00pm.
Meydan Sobha will make its final appearance of the season on Dubai World Cup night as they sponsor the Group 2 Godolphin Mile, a $1million contest over 1600m on the dirt.
An equally-split joint venture, Meydan Sobha is responsible for developing more than 47 million square feet of prime freehold land in the heart of Dubai. The first landmark project within Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City is the aptly-named District One.
This expansive development will feature luxury residences, green parklands, waterways, a high-end shopping and dining pavilion and large recreational spaces creating one of the lowest density developments in the heart of any international city.
PNC Menon said: “We are truly honoured to be part of horse racing at Meydan, as we mark the 20th renewal of Dubai World Cup day this year. As title sponsor of the prestigious Dubai World Cup day Group 2 Godolphin Mile for the second year running, we are in a position to take advantage of this fantastic platform for Meydan Sobha to update affluent individuals from around the world on Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City – District One. The sponsorship positions Meydan Sobha as a supporter of the rich UAE horsing-racing heritage and we are delighted to join the already-impressive list of Pillar Partners. We look forward to an exciting racing night on Thursday as we build to the Dubai World Cup programme.”
Malih Al Basti, Meydan Group Board Member and Chairman of the Meydan Racing Committee said: “The relationship between Meydan Group and Sobha is a prime example of our emphasis on forming strong partnerships with key global companies in order to achieve mutual goals. We welcome Meydan Sobha’s return to Meydan Racecourse and look forward to their presence on Dubai World Cup day for the Godolphin Mile.”
Racecards can be viewed at www.emiratesracing.com.
Admission is free to the public areas of Meydan Racecourse, gates open at 5:00pm and the first race starts at 6:45pm. For further details and hospitality ticket packages for the meeting or the Dubai World Cup please contact: +971 4327 2110 or ticketoffice@dubairacingclub.com.
Get interactive with us on Twitter via @DRC_Meydan or @DWC_Meydan or on Instagram @drc_meydan and like our Dubai Racing Club or Dubai World Cup Facebook pages. We’ll keep you posted with behind-the-scenes news and pictures.
Meydan Sobha will sponsor Thursday’s Dubai World CupCanival meeting that includes the Group 2Ballanchine Stakes.
About Meydan Sobha
Meydan Sobha LLC FZ is an equally-split joint venture, responsible for developing over 47 million square feet of prime freehold land in the heart of Dubai.
The first landmark project to be announced within Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City, it is aptly named District One. This expansive development will feature luxury residences, green parklands, waterways, a high-end shopping & dining pavilion and large recreational spaces with a world-class equestrian club as well as horse riding trails, creating one of the lowest density developments in the heart of any international city.
Together, Meydan and Sobha aim to develop this community of Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum City into one of the world’s prime residential locations, delivering a new, vibrant ‘green heart’ for Dubai.
fonte :Dubai Racing Club
Meydan (UAE)THU 19 Febbraio 2015
| 3:20 |
MEYDAN SOBHA (HANDICAP) (TURF) (3yo+ 100-111) Winner £67,308 12 runners 5f SKY Race Conditions: £112,179 For northern hemisphere 4yo+ & southern hemisphere 3yo+ Rated 100+ Medicean Man’s Handicap Mark 111 Penalty value 1st £67,307.69 2nd £22,435.90 3rd £11,217.95 4th £5,608.97 5th£3,365.38 6th £2,243.59 |
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21 
21 
5 
| 3:55 |
MEYDAN SOBHA (HANDICAP) (DIRT) (3yo+ 95-105) Winner £42,308 16 runners 1m SKY Race Conditions: £70,513 For northern hemisphere 4yo+ & southern hemisphere 3yo+ Rated 95-105Haatheq’s Handicap Mark 105 Entries 39 Penalty value 1st £42,307.69 2nd £14,102.56 3rd £7,051.28 4th£3,525.64 5th £2,115.38 6th £1,410.26 |
| 4:30 |
DUBAI MILLENNIUM STAKES SPONSORED BY MEYDAN SOBHA (LISTED RACE) (TURF) (3yo+) Winner £76,923 10 runners 1m2f SKY Race Conditions: £128,205 For northern hemisphere 4yo+ & southern hemisphere 3yo+ Entries 23 Penalty value 1st £76,923.08 2nd £25,641.03 3rd £12,820.51 4th £6,410.26 5th £3,846.15 6th £2,564.10 |
| 5:05 |
DISTRICT ONE (HANDICAP) (DIRT) (3yo+ 95-109) Winner £57,692 16 runners 1m2f SKY Race Conditions: £96,154 For northern hemisphere 4yo+ & southern hemisphere 3yo+ Rated 95+ Interpret’s Handicap Mark 109 Entries 26 Penalty value 1st £57,692.31 2nd £19,230.77 3rd £9,615.38 4th £4,807.695th £2,884.62 6th £1,923.08 |
| 5:40 |
BALANCHINE SPONSORED BY DISTRICT ONE (GROUP 2) (FILLIES & MARES) (TURF) (3yo+) Winner £76,923 9 runners 1m1f SKY Race Conditions: £128,205 For northern hemisphere 4yo+ & southern hemisphere 3yo+ fillies & mares Penalty value 1st £76,923.08 2nd £25,641.03 3rd £12,820.51 4th £6,410.26 5th £3,846.15 6th £2,564.10 |
| 6:15 |
DISTRICT ONE (HANDICAP) (TURF) (3yo+ 100-112) Winner £67,308 16 runners 7f SKY Race Conditions: £112,179 For northern hemisphere 4yo+ & southern hemisphere 3yo+ Rated 100+Anaerobio’s Handicap Mark 112 Entries 24 Penalty value 1st £67,307.69 2nd £22,435.90 3rd £11,217.954th £5,608.97 5th £3,365.38 6th £2,243.59 |
