Best of Gulf Racing at Meydan

It’s Dubai Innovation Week evening at Meydan, and its Lord Glitters that’s become the first horse to defends his Singspiel Stakes crown enroute to Super Saturday.

In coming off a fourth to Desert Fire in the Al Bashidiya at Meydan, it was last year that he defeated the Gr2 performer Zakouski by 3 lengths in the Singspiel, who he meets again on Friday.

Also at 1800m, the now 9yo had his most successful season last year in winning the Group 1 Jebel Hatta of 1800m, before going onto claim the Bahrain International Trophy at Sakhir.

To be ridden again by Daniel Tudhope for North Yorkshire trainer David O’Meara and owners Geoff and Sandra Turnbull, he’ll again be pressed by Zakouski, plus a newcomer in Sir Busker.

In having success with Illustrious Blue in 2007 at Nad Al Sheba, Newmarket trainer William Knight now returns with first-timer Sir Busker who was third in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Those of us who cherish our Blue Riband values, it’s the UAE 2000 Guineas of 1600m that’s on dirt, and not the hollowed turf of Newmarket, with the Guineas Trial winner Rawy on-cue.

In fact, the first three in the Trial are expected to fill the placings, with the Salem Bin Ghadayer trained Frosted colt Rawy having broken his maiden, and previously second in both starts.

Second was the Uruguayan winning 2yo Quality Boone, again to be ridden by Vagner Leal for Antonio Cintra Percira, with Hector Laza on another Uruguayan Kiefer in third for Ricardo Colombo.

It’s the Doug Watson trained Al Tariq who’s also looking to defend his title in the Al Shindagha Sprint of 1200m, having last start won the Dubai Stakes, and will again be ridden by Pat Dobbs.

Dubai Stakes runner-up Freedom Fighter will again be ridden by Tadhg O’Shea for Bhupat Seema, with Doug Watson again having Andrea Atzeni ride the previous race favourite Canvassed.

With the spotlight moving to neighbouring Bahrain its British ex-patriate Allan Smith who’s already smiling with Happy Craf ready to claim the Sprint division of the Bahrain Turf Series.

Already winning three of the five Series Sprint events, the 5yo Argentinian-bred mare Happy Craf has trainer Allan Smith looking at a £10,000/ €11,823 Trainers Bonus with 45 Series points.

With M And E Racing ready to receive a £15,000/ €17,735 Owners Bonus, and it’s now in the hands Uruguayan jockey Edinson Rodriguez to claim the Al Sakhir Cup on Saturday 18 February.

In bypassing the Hawar Cup, won by stable mate and Series second Roman River on 42 points, Happy Craf had previously won the Al Jasha Cup of 1400m by 2 lengths from stable mate Byline.

With the 1200m of the Al Wasmiya Cup possibly ‘too slick’ when 3½ length sixth to Deep Intrigue, there’s no doubting Happy Craf has climatised well in earlier winning the Al Manama Cup.

Hot on the success of the Bahrain International Trophy, the Bahrain Turf Series adds 10 new races aimed at attracting international horses rated 85-100, with £550,000/ €650,314 in stakes.

With £50,000/ €59,119 allocated to each race, and a minimum of £30,000/ €35,439 to the winner, the Series has a finishing order point system, plus the additional Owners and Trainers Bonus.

Viewed for trainers to set-up satellite stables in Bahrain from December to February, it has both a Sprint and 1800-2000m Distance series, with races staged with ‘the best of Bahrain racing.’

The twice placed Arqood leads the Distance series on 41 points for Little Staughton Farms and William Jarvis, while its premier trainer Hesham Al Haddad who has Mars Landing on 39 points.

In winning the Al Muharraq Cup and Tawaareq the Al Riffa Cup, Hesham Al Haddad goes into the Vision 2030 Cup of 2000m with Classical Wave and Zagato also quinellaing the Anchorman Cup.