DUBAI TONIGHT.

Thursday feature overshadowed by appearance of Curlin

Curlin: appearance of Dubai World Cup fancy overshadows featured UAE Oaks

THE UAE Oaks may be the official feature of Thursday night's eight-race card, but the appearance of Curlin in the handicap over the same course and distance as the DubaiWorld Cup for which he is a warm favourite has created more international interest.

His five rivals in the 1m2f dirt handicap are, not surprisingly given he is rated 129, out of the handicap and he looks sure to trade at prohibitive odds.

The highest-rated dirt horse in the world and 2007 American Horse of the Year after his win in the Breeders' Cup Classic, arrives in the UAE with the highest rating since only Cigar after winning the inaugural World Cup.

Trained by Steve Asmussen, the four-year-old son of Smart Strike will be expected to win comfortably in his final prep before the world's richest race in four weeks.

Saeed Bin Suroor has won the UAE Oaks over 1m1f on four of its seven runnings and he will be heavily fancied to make it five on Thursday night with UAE 1,000 Guineas first and second Cocoa Beach and Fiesta Lady.

They face nine rivals, including Clive Brittain's Love Of Dubai who was a remote third in the season's first Classic.

5.15 Jaguar Trophy
(Handicap) 1m2f (dirt)

Scott Blasi, assistant trainer of Curlin
“This is a prep race and I am sure he will improve for the outing but he is in good order and has settled in well. He looks the one they have to beat.”
Doug Watson, trainer of Arqaam
“It is a valuable race and we are guaranteed a prize! He is a nice young horse but obviously Curlin is going to be hard to beat.”

Mike de Kock, trainer of Engrupido
“Curlin is unlikely to be beaten but it is good prize-money and it will give us some idea as to Curlin's capabilities.”

Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of Familiar Territory and Imperialista
“Obviously Curlin is the one to beat but our pair are well and have been in decent form.”

Royston Ffrench, jockey of Jet Express
“He should stay the trip and has been in good form but it is a big ask.”

6.15 UAE Oaks
Listed 1m1f (dirt)

Herman Brown, trainer of Classy-Lady
“She disappointed on dirt first time but will prefer this longer trip. She ran well in the Cape Verdi but the Godolphin fillies look the ones to beat.”

Saeed Bin Suroor, trainer of Fiesta Lady, Cocoa Beach and Love Dancing
“Cocoa Beach and Fiesta Lady were 1-2 in the Guineas but both will appreciate the extra furlong, as will Love Dancing. We have to be very hopeful of winning but it is hard to split the two Guineas fillies.”

Mick Kinane, jockey of Love Of Dubai
“The extra furlong won't harm but the two who beat her last time (Cocoa Beach and Fiesta Lady) will be hard to beat.”

wouldnt it be nice if our lazy gold circle newspaper journalists could do the same as above and put it into the newspapers for our local meetings...its to much effort for the majority of them ,they prefer giving their opinion whch should be under the comic section

Curlin, the star name among a host of the world’s best racehorses out on the track at Nad Al Sheba last Sat morning, “went very, very nice” in his first workout.
With exercise rider Carmen “Carlos” Rosas trying to quietly contain him, American Horse of the Year Curlin strode easily through 800 metres in :50.50 on Saturday morning.
Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen, said: “Curlin gets over the ground here really well. And he’s anxious to do something. He did things the right way this morning and I think Steve will be pleased.”
Asmussen had given strict instructions prior to the move that Curlin should not exert himself too much with only five days before his first scheduled start of 2008 in a US$175,000 race over 2,000 meters at Nad Al Sheba on February 28.
“Carlos did a great job. He went very, very well,” said Blasi, who reported that Curlin was feeling so good after the workout that he had to put a lip chain on the colt as he cooled out.
“I’m very happy with how he’s acting. I see a lot of similarities with how he has been before his previous races,” he added.
Curlin is scheduled to walk on Sunday and then just gallop up to the race, with a visit to the Nad Al Sheba starting gate planned for Tuesday morning.
Blasi noted that most of Curlin’s serious training was accomplished at the Fair Grounds Race Course prior to his departure from the United States.
Forecast betting 1/6

Forecast betting 1/6, I would say you could get 4/10, 1/3 ??

In fact if you don't fancy it, this would be the time to take 7/1 Asiatic Boy?

1/6 for tonight

APL, I understand, but I am sure it will be twice this price for tonight, and if you dont think it will be an impressive winner, I am suggesting you punt Asiatic Boy at current odds for the 29th Mar, in anticipation of Curlin "not winning on the bit"?

good point....i see they got 4/10 on bet fair for tonite

Here is proper betting, hope it will help the lads for tonight?

Race 1 Racer Forever 9/4 fav
race 2 with interest 11/4 and sushisan 3/1
race 3 hard top 7/2, doubnov 4/1 and boscobel 9/2
race 4 munaddom 3/1, turn on style 7/2 and beaver patrol 9/2.
race 5 curlin 1/3 and familiar 7/2
race 6 divine jury is 6/4 fav
race 7 cocoa beach 5/6
race 8 third set is 4/6

good punting

scotia

thnx Scotty

stupid question........'what is 'LIP CHAIN'?????/

A chain (between the lip and gum) used for controlling a nervous OR boisterous horses.
evidently it is fitted thus...
wrap the chain with vet wrap first... then run it thru the left side ring on the halter, without putting it in their mouths, back thru the right side ring, and snap to the upper right ring... then with the chain in your hand, lift his lip, and roll the chain upwards... when it's in place, tighten the shank up on the left side...
taken from google search..

thanx APL. Also did a google search and found that there was a petition to ban the use of 'lip chain'