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Channel Maker and Tacitus on track in Saudi Arabia
The following notes about contenders in the $20 million Saudi Cup, scheduled for Feb. 20, were provided by the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia.
Bangkok (IRE) – Kept busy during the last few weeks, Andrew Balding s British challenger was in winning action only a few days ago when landing the Winter Derby Trial over 2000m (1 1/4 miles) at Lingfield.
The 5-year-old was restricted to the training track for his exercise.
“He just went for a canter,” Balding s wife and assistant Anna Lisa said. “He came here fit and seems very well. He might do something a bit quicker on Thursday but it s all systems go.”
Secret Ambition, Kimbear Renew Rivalry In Dubai This Thursday Sponsored by:
Kimbear (centre) wins the 2020 Al Maktoum Challenge R1 over Secret Ambition (left) & North America
Old rivals Secret Ambition and Kimbear spark anew their competitive relationship this Thursday in the Group 3 $130,000 Firebreak Stakes at Meydan Racecourse. Rated 109 and 108, respectively, the pair have faced off seven times, dating back to the 2018 Burj Nahaar (G3) when RRR Racing s (HH Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi) Kimbear defeated Nasir Askar s runner-up Secret Ambition.
In four of their seven meetings, they have finished adjacent on the results chart, including three one-two finishes. All in all, Kimbear has a 4-3 lead on his friendly foe.
6:01PM, JAN 21 2021
Dubawi notched his first Group winner of 2021 at the Meydan meeting where he has a race named after him as Military Law signalled what could be only the beginning of a profitable campaign in the Gulf with a striking performance in the first round of the Al Maktoum Challenge.
A lightly-raced individual from the leading sire produced by Qatar Racing, he went through the grades for John Gosden before being bought by his present owner, Nasir Askar, for 110,000gns at the Tattersalls July Sale in 2019.
A winner of the Listed Entisaar for trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri, he ran twice more at last year s Carnival, notably finishing second to the top-notch Benbatl in round two of the Maktoum Challenge.
Frankie Dettori Doubles On Opening Night Of Dubai World Cup Carnival Sponsored by:
Frankie Dettori pilots Equilateral to victory in the Dubai Dash
The Longines World s Best Jockey Frankie Dettori will be riding in the UAE through March, and recorded victories in the final two of seven races on opening night at the Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan Racecourse on Thursday.
Dettori piloted Godolphin s Land of Legends to win the Group 2 Al Fahidi Fort for trainer Saeed bin Suroor, and Equilateral to win the listed Dubai Dash for trainer Charlie Hills.
“I ve been watching this horse for the last three years,” Dettori said of Equilateral. “What he likes is a very fast, slick, five furlong track. Sometimes the English tracks are too demanding for him, but this is tailor-made for him.”