Update on the Dubai World Cup
Arabian Night Extravaganza, Press Briefings and Cocktails
One of the most anticipated treats of the Dubai World Cup lead up is the Arabian Night extravaganza staged in a natural amphitheatre in the desert over 50km from Dubai City near the Dubai Endurance City.
One is greeted by native musicians, singers and dancers in the time-honoured Bedouin tradition and led into a Royal feast on carpeted banquettes. It is one of the last chances to relax, meet friends and mix with new acquaintances in a glorious time warp under the stars before facing the next few days of hard work associated with the DWC.
There are always memorable performances and presentations accompanied by unbelievedable fireworks before the Royal family who usually circulate freely.
It is a chance for body painting, art shows, elegant performing Arab horses and camel rides. Everything was free.
This year the event inaugurated the nearby Al Meydan (means field or new challenge) desert theatre which is a massive natural construction in an open arena seating about 6,000. It was a perfect setting for the spectacular multi-discipline performances with fireworks.
New guests were awestruck. Old timers miss the intimacy of low, pillowed tables in the old amphitheatre and were surprised to be asked to pay for special drinks, hand painting, photos, etc.
Business is now the rule and life moves on.
The next morning consisted of a photographers' briefing for those working within and near the paddock followed by a press conference breakfast.
There is a new stands' viewing area for the media adjacent to the Royal Box and an air-conditioned marquee just behind for after-race press conferences with the winners. This is an enormous improvement as the larger press room where most of us keep our computers is very far from the paddock and only accessible by struggling through the massive audience.
Facing 90-degree-plus heat, it will help to get through the event without getting heat strokes.
During this whole period, the media is exhaustively chasing exclusive stories and photos from 6:00 AM track work to late at night.
The Friday press conference was with personable assistant trainer Scott Blasi of Curlin USA (Smart Strike, USA) in the Dubai World Cup, (Group 1), 2000m on dirt, and former football champ and British trainer Michael Channon who runs Majestic Roi (Street Cry Ire) in the Dubai Duty Free and Youmzain Ire (Sinndar Ire) in the very competitive Dubai Sheema Classic.
The Dubai Duty Free (Group 1) is 1,777m on turf and the Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1) is 2,400m on turf.
Blasi took his charge out to the training track instead of the main course for a mile gallop to keep him happy and avoid the crowds for another day. He truthfully said that Curlin is 'the complete package'. There is no doubting the colt's star quality as many have traveled here just to get a glimpse of him including me.
His owners believe so strongly in the horse that they feel he should have a chance to win internationally and to land the biggest purse in international racing ($3,6 million for first place).
Channon is worried about his filly Majestic Roi having a difficult draw to overcome early in the racing season, but is very high on Youmzain's chances. There is a huge British contingent rooting for both.
There are so many good horses running this year that anything can happen in any of the races. Still, the one horse is impossible to believe losing the DWC is Curlin--even with an outside 12 draw (he loves to come from the outside).
Punters looking for an better odds are going for Asiatic Boy Arg (Not for Sale Arg) at 12.1.
To me Vermilion Jpn (El Condor Pasa USA) and Premium Tap (Pleasant Tap) along with Jalil USA (Storm Cat USA) have the best chances based on form. Blasi is not concerned.
Whatever happens, Jalil will be off to the USA for a dirt career. No more laughing at him in the UK now.
And I am off to cocktails at Scarlett's in the wonderful Emirates Towers to gain sustenance for tomorrow's marathon Dubai World Cup.
One of the most anticipated treats of the Dubai World Cup lead up is the Arabian Night extravaganza staged in a natural amphitheatre in the desert over 50km from Dubai City near the Dubai Endurance City.
One is greeted by native musicians, singers and dancers in the time-honoured Bedouin tradition and led into a Royal feast on carpeted banquettes. It is one of the last chances to relax, meet friends and mix with new acquaintances in a glorious time warp under the stars before facing the next few days of hard work associated with the DWC.
There are always memorable performances and presentations accompanied by unbelievedable fireworks before the Royal family who usually circulate freely.
It is a chance for body painting, art shows, elegant performing Arab horses and camel rides. Everything was free.
This year the event inaugurated the nearby Al Meydan (means field or new challenge) desert theatre which is a massive natural construction in an open arena seating about 6,000. It was a perfect setting for the spectacular multi-discipline performances with fireworks.
New guests were awestruck. Old timers miss the intimacy of low, pillowed tables in the old amphitheatre and were surprised to be asked to pay for special drinks, hand painting, photos, etc.
Business is now the rule and life moves on.
The next morning consisted of a photographers' briefing for those working within and near the paddock followed by a press conference breakfast.
There is a new stands' viewing area for the media adjacent to the Royal Box and an air-conditioned marquee just behind for after-race press conferences with the winners. This is an enormous improvement as the larger press room where most of us keep our computers is very far from the paddock and only accessible by struggling through the massive audience.
Facing 90-degree-plus heat, it will help to get through the event without getting heat strokes.
During this whole period, the media is exhaustively chasing exclusive stories and photos from 6:00 AM track work to late at night.
The Friday press conference was with personable assistant trainer Scott Blasi of Curlin USA (Smart Strike, USA) in the Dubai World Cup, (Group 1), 2000m on dirt, and former football champ and British trainer Michael Channon who runs Majestic Roi (Street Cry Ire) in the Dubai Duty Free and Youmzain Ire (Sinndar Ire) in the very competitive Dubai Sheema Classic.
The Dubai Duty Free (Group 1) is 1,777m on turf and the Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1) is 2,400m on turf.
Blasi took his charge out to the training track instead of the main course for a mile gallop to keep him happy and avoid the crowds for another day. He truthfully said that Curlin is 'the complete package'. There is no doubting the colt's star quality as many have traveled here just to get a glimpse of him including me.
His owners believe so strongly in the horse that they feel he should have a chance to win internationally and to land the biggest purse in international racing ($3,6 million for first place).
Channon is worried about his filly Majestic Roi having a difficult draw to overcome early in the racing season, but is very high on Youmzain's chances. There is a huge British contingent rooting for both.
There are so many good horses running this year that anything can happen in any of the races. Still, the one horse is impossible to believe losing the DWC is Curlin--even with an outside 12 draw (he loves to come from the outside).
Punters looking for an better odds are going for Asiatic Boy Arg (Not for Sale Arg) at 12.1.
To me Vermilion Jpn (El Condor Pasa USA) and Premium Tap (Pleasant Tap) along with Jalil USA (Storm Cat USA) have the best chances based on form. Blasi is not concerned.
Whatever happens, Jalil will be off to the USA for a dirt career. No more laughing at him in the UK now.
And I am off to cocktails at Scarlett's in the wonderful Emirates Towers to gain sustenance for tomorrow's marathon Dubai World Cup.
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