Clive Brittain saddled a quick double at the Shadwell Farm-sponsored opening meeting of the 2006 Dubai International Racing Carnival on Thursday when the top weight Kandidate landed the US$110,000 Shadwell Farm Handicap over 1,500 metres on the turf.
King Marju, trained by Karl Burke led the field along but Kandidate, a four-year-old son of Kabool, took up the running from 400 metres out, under Eddie Ahern, and crossed the line three and three quarters clear of Tajseed with the Jeff Pearce-trained Hidden Dragon in third.
After the race Brittain said, "Both horses were fit and ready to go. Kandidate had good form, he was only beaten a head in the Craven and then finished third in the 2000 Guineas."
Half an hour earlier Brittain had saddled Well Armed, to become the first international winner of the 2006 Dubai International Racing Carnival.
Partnered by Ryan Moore, Well Armed, the son of dual Breeders' Cup Classic winner Tiznow, was always going well and took the lead soon in the straight before running on well to land the US$30,000 Shadwell Farm Trophy over 1,400 metres by three and a half lengths.
Testimony, Godolphin's first runner of the 2006, just got up in a photo under Kerrin McEvoy to take second beating the Mike de Kock-trained Nomoretaxes, the mount of Kevin Shea.
Blatant, trained in Dubai by Ismail Mohammed and ridden by Richard Hills, was the easiest of winners in the first round of the US$200,000 HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Challenge (Gr.3) over 1,600 metres.
Blatant, a seven-year-old son of Machiavellian who finished third to Starcraft in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Gr.1), broke well and made virtually all to win by over nine lengths. Cherry Pickings finished second with the 2004 UAE Derby (Gr.2) winner Lundy's Liability in third.
Win River Win, trained by Cemal Kurt, gave Turkey and UK Champion Jockey Jamie Spencer their first win of the 2006 Carnival with length and three quarter victory in the US$110,000 Shadwell Farm Stakes over 1,800 metres.
Macau raider Change the Grange led the field into the straight with the Doug Watson-trained Dubai Honor taking over 300 metres out, Win River Win was soon closing, getting to the head of the field 100 metres out.
Spencer said, "He did it well in the end, hopefully he can improve and win again. I have had a bit of time off, I am just getting fit again and I will be here for bits and pieces during the Carnival. Win River Win is a very tough horse and an extra furlong would do him no harm."
King Jock, the mount of Tadhg O'Shea, trained by Erwan Charpy took the lead 250 metres out an ran on to a four length win in the US$110,000 Shadwell Farm Cup over 1,500 metres on the turf.
Stan Moore's Azarole, under John Egan, held on for second ahead of the Andrew Balding-trained Pentecost, Berlioz, flying the flag for India, finished fourth.
Doug Watson saddled his second winner of the evening when Iqte Saab, Pat Dobbs up, came through the field to get up in the shadow of the line to win the sixth race of the evening, the US$175,000 Shadwell Farm Plate over 1,777 metres on the turf.
Watson landed the first race of the evening, the first round of the HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Challenge (Gr.1), sponsored by Shadwell Farm, for Purebred Arabians with the Richard Hills-partnered Al Saoudi.
Trainer John Hills kept the flag flying for Britain in the final race of the evening, with Clinet, Ahern up, claiming the US$110,000 Shadwell Farm Handicap over 1,500 metres on the turf.
RACING IN DUBAI, UAE
DUBAI RACING CLUB
NAD AL SHEBA RACECOURSE
Thursday, 19th January 2006
Dirt Track: Fast.
Turf: Good To Firm
Key: The figures beside the race conditions (i.e. 00-80) are for horses rated in that division and these figures are in pounds. All races on dirt unless stated otherwise stated.
Race One. HH Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum Challenge (Gr.1) R1.
Then came (in order): Berlioz (IND), Red Crescent (SAF), Amandus (USA),
Millennium Force (GB), Little Good Bay (GB), Egyptian (USA), John Falstaff
(BRZ), Summoner (GB), Harb (IRE). All 12 ran. Margins: 4, nk, 1 Ό. Time:
1m 29.92s
Owner: Jane, Victoria, Aimee-Thelma & Richard Whiting
Breeder: Adele Dilschneider
Trainer: J Pearce (GB). Jockey: M J Kinane
Then came (in order): Pango (GB), Sabirli (TUR), Mercury Chief (SAF), King
Marju (IRE), Leicester Square (IRE), Alshawameq (IRE), Fez (SAF), Mandobi
(IRE). 11 ran.
NR: Royal Prince (GB). Margins: 3 Ύ, Ύ, ½. Time: 1m 30.35s
6yo gr g Hector Protector Shawanni (Shareef Dancer)
Owner: Bouresly Racing Syndicate
Breeder: Gainsborough Stud Management
Trainer: R Bouresly. Jockey: P Dillon
3. SHAKIS (IRE) 59.5kgs
6yo b h Machiavellian Tawaaded (Nashwan)
Owner: HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Breeder: Shadwell Estate Co Ltd
Trainer: D Watson. Jockey: R Hills
Then came (in order): Boule d'Or (IRE), Lundy's Lane (IRE), Trademark (SAF),
Democratic Deficit (IRE), Terfel (GB), Bailador (IRE), Excellento (USA),
Destinate (IRE), Key Of Destiny (SAF), Full Speed (IND), Wolf Whistle (SAF),
Tahreeb (FR).
5yo b c Candy Stripes Emerald Counter (Geiger Counter)
Owner: Stud TNT & Mrs M Slack
Breeder: Stud TNT
Trainer: M de Kock (SAF). Jockey: K Shea
Then came (in order): Blue on Blues (ARG), Kill Cat (IRE), Baldaquin (GB),
Brunel (IRE), Petit Paris (CHI), Near Dock (GER), Party Boss (GB) All 10
ran.
Margins: 9 Ύ, 1 ½, 6 Ύ. Time: 1m 36.71s
Race Eight. Shadwell Farm.
Thoroughbreds 1,500m. NH 4yo+ & SH 3yo+. 90+ (TURF)
