Royal Delta
Horse racing has been conducted in India for well over 200 years. Until about three decades ago, the only racetracks between Europe in the West and Singapore in the East were those on the subcontinent. All this changed in the last quarter of the 20th century when rulers of countries in the Middle East gave expression to their abiding love for that most noble of all creatures, the horse, by setting up racing facilities in their jurisdictions.
On what was once an undistinguished piece of desert and scrub land some 15 kilometres from Dubai, the Prime Minister and Ruler of that Gulf Emirate, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, established a magnificent facility, the Meydan Racecourse, which was inaugurated in March 2010. Apart from a wide and well-manicured turf track, the race course has an all-weather Tapeta surface, which has substituted the dirt track formerly in use when racing took place at Nad Al Sheba.
Amongst the great racing carnivals of each year is the Dubai World Cup programme, the latest renewal of which is set at Meydan for Saturday, March 31st. Some one hundred and twenty of the finest racehorses in the world have been painstakingly prepared to vie for honours in the nine races carded, with the substantial sum of US$27.25 million at stake.
As usual, the opening event (6:00 p.m. IST) is for Purebred Arabs, and this is followed by eight rich events for Thoroughbreds at intervals of 35 to 40 minutes each. One additional event has been introduced in 2012, the Dubai Gold Cup, to be run on turf over the gruelling trip of 3200 m., and in its inaugural year itself, it has been granted Group 3 status.
Saint-Imier (Switzerland)-based chronographers, Longines (now part of the Swatch Group) have been appointed as the official timekeepers for the carnival, and it is expected that their brand ambassador for India, none other than Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachhan, will be in attendance at the track. Incidentally, Longines sponsor the eighth race on the card, the Dubai Sheema Classic.
Ending their self-imposed ban on participating in the Dubai World Cup Carnival, Ireland's Coolmore have sent a powerful team this year, spearheaded by So You Think (High Chaparral), who heads to the night's feature, the $10 million Dubai World Cup (DWC). The high-class New Zealand-bred globetrotter, drawn 4, has been accorded favouritism at 5 to 2, despite having been away from competitive action for 147 days. One can be virtually certain that schooler Aidan O'Brien will have him fully race fit on the night.
It is interesting that he has chosen his teen-aged son, Joseph, to partner the not-quite six-year-old (he was foaled to Southern hemisphere time) when it was known that the likes of Ryan Moore, Jamie Specner and Johnny Murtagh were going to be in town. It may be recalled that young Joseph was not fazed by the big occasion when steering St. Nicholas Abbey for the same connections at the Breeders' Cup meeting in Kentucky last November.
The second favourite – at 11/2 – for the DWC is Japan's Smart Falcon (by Gold Allure), bidding to make it back-to-back wins for runners bred in the Land of the Rising Sun. The chestnut 7-year-old was said to have travelled poorly from his homeland but leading rider Yutaka Take dismissed these fears after working him and finding him to have regained the lost weight and to be in top form. Trainer Ken Kozaki's ward has won his last six starts – all in Japan – with the same rider on board.
"I think Smart Falcon suits the track very well. He has lots of experience running at many racecourses in Japan and it is a good thing for him to get familiar with the new surroundings." said Take. They will start from post position no. 5.
The racing public was shocked to receive the news a few days ago that the affable Bob Baffert, trainer of the leading American hope, Game On Dude (by Awesome Again), had suffered a heart attack in his hotel suite. Prompt medical treatment of the highest calibre ensured he was soon on the road to recovery, and it is believed he will actually be at the track on Saturday evening!
Baffert's front-running 10 fur. specialist will have Canada's Chantal Sutherland, who is aiming to be the first woman rider to win this race, in the saddle. The pair has teamed up previously to win the Goodwood Cup and the San Antonio Stakes at the gelding's home base in California. Drawn widest of all in 14, the brown five-year-old is quoted at 10 to 1.
Next in demand, both available at a best-priced 12 to 1, are Zazou and Royal Delta. Interestingly, the German hope Zazou (by Shamardal) has been purchased overnight from Werner Heinz by the president of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, in order that he might have a representative in the race. Unfortunately, the race card has already been printed with the ownership shown as "WH Sport International", the nom de course of Mr. Heinz. Earlier, Mr. Kadyrov's intended runner, Gitano Hernando (by Hernando) was withdrawn due to injury. French ace Olivier Peslier will have the mount on the five- year-old Zazou, who is coming off a recent win on the new Polytrack course at Chantilly in France by way of a lead-up.
Trainer Bill Mott, who sent out Cigar to win the inaugural DWC in 1996, is back with the progressive filly Royal Delta (by Empire Maker). Winner of the Breeders Cup Ladies Classic at Churchill Downs back in November 2011, she has been tuned up with a runner-up effort in the Sabin Stakes at Gulfstream Park in late February, and will have regular rider Jose Lezcano in the irons. If she were to win, she would become the first female runner to be victorious in this race.
"Coming back, it's a big challenge," Mott said. "It's the biggest prize in racing right now. Naturally if you like competition, that is where you want to be. The challenge is how she matches up with an international field. That is what this is all about."
Given the fact that (a) Mott is somewhat conservative, and (b) despite this he has elected to explore uncharted waters with a filly, suggests that he has truly fathomed Royal Delta's calibre, and she should provide a great opportunity for an each-way wager. Admittedly, she will have to produce a career-best effort to score but as the only four-year-old in the field, she ought to have improved enough and is taken to win.
Finally, noting that rank outsiders have scored in the past, one must not totally discount former French ace Planteur (by Danehill Dancer), last year's runner-up Transcend (by Wild Rush), the Japanese Derby winner Eishin Flash (by King's Best), Frankie Dettori's mount Prince Bishop (by Dubawi) and the local hero Capponi (by Medicean), who has been in rousing form this year.
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Gr.1-Godolphin Mile (1600 m.)
Sponsored by Etisalat
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Draw
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Horse
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Jockey
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Trainer
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Odds
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1
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Richard's Kid (USA)
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R. Mullen
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S. Seemar
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25/1
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2
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Barbecue Eddie (USA)
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SCR
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3
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Sandagiyr (FR)
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M. Barzalona
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S. bin Suroor
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9/1
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4
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African Story (GB)
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L. Dettori
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S. bin Suroor
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7/4
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5
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First City (GB)
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R. Ffrench
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A. Al Raihe
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16/1
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6
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Shamalgan (FR)
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G. Benoist
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X. Nakkachdji
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20/1
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7
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Derbass (USA)
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R. Hills
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A. Al Raihe
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20/1
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8
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Western Aristocrat (USA)
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R. Moore
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J. Noseda
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7/1
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9
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Red Jazz (USA)
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M. Hills
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C. Hills
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10/1
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10
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Dux Scholar (GB)
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G. Schofield
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H. Brown
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33/1
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11
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Do It All (USA)
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S. De Sousa
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S. bin Suroor
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10/1
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12
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Snaafy (USA)
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W. Smith
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M. Al Muhairi
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25/1
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13
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Viscount Nelson (USA)
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K. Shea
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M. de Kock
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10/1
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14
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Haatheq (USA)
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T. O'Shea
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A. Al Raihe
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16/1
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|
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Gr.3-Dubai Gold Cup (3200 m. turf)
Sponsored by Al Tayer Motors
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Draw
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Horse
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Jockey
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Trainer
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Odds
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1
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Makani Bisty (JPN)
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F. Komaki
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Y. Yahagi
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14/1
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2
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Barbican (GB)
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R. Moore
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A. Bailey
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10/1
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3
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Unusual Suspect (USA)
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C. Nakatani
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M. Kent
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20/1
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4
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Averroes (IRE)
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P. Cosgrave
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E. Oertel
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33/1
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5
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Joshua Tree (IRE)
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J. Murtagh
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M. Botti
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20/1
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6
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Irish Flame (SAF)
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K. Shea
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M. de Kock
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20/1
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7
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Bronze Cannon (USA)
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K. Ulubaev
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H. Brown
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25/1
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8
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Mikhail Glinka (IRE)
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G. Schofield
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H. Brown
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6/1
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9
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Grant Vent (IRE)
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M. Barzalona
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S. bin Suroor
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25/1
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10
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Opinion Poll (IRE)
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L. Dettori
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M. Al Zarooni
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7/2
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11
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Fox Hunt (IRE)
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S. De Sousa
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M. Al Zarooni
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3/1
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12
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Zanzamar (SAF)
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R. Hills
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M. de Kock
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16/1
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13
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Kasbah Bliss (FR)
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G. Moose
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F. Doument
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20/1
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Gr.2-UAE Derby (1900 m.)
Sponsored by The Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group
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Draw
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Horse
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Jockey
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Trainer
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Odds
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1
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Lucky Chappy (IRE)
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A. Garcia
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G. Motion
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16/1
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2
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Burano (IRE)
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K. Fallon
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B. Meehan
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25/1
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3
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Maritimer (CAN)
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G. Schofield
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H. Brown
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25/1
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4
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Balada Sale (ARG)
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C. Lemarie
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P. Bary
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10/1
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5
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Genten (USA)
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C. Williams
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Y. Yahagi
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33/1
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6
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Mickdaam (IRE)
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C. Soumillon
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M. de Kock
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6/1
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7
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Daddy Long Legs (USA)
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C. O'Donoghue
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A. O'Brien
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7/1
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8
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Yan Tse Kiang (FR)
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T. Jarnet
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R. Chotard
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14/1
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9
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Kinglet (USA)
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L. Dettori
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M. Al Zarooni
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16/1
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10
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Falls of Lora (IRE)
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M. Barzalona
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M. Al Zarooni
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16/1
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11
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Entifaadha (GB)
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R. Hills
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W. Haggas
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14/1
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12
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Red Duke (USA)
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T. Queally
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J. Quinn
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12/1
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13
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Wrote (IRE)
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R. Moore
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A. O'Brien
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4/1
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14
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Helmut (AUS)
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K. McEvoy
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P. Snowden
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8/1
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AE
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Mehdi (IRE)
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B. Meehan
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25/1
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AE
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Surfer (USA)
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S. Seemar
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25/1
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|
AE
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Counterglow (IRE)
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M. Al Zarooni
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33/1
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Gr.1-Al Quoz Sprint (1000 m. turf)
Sponsored by Emirates NBD
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Draw
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Horse
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Jockey
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Trainer
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Odds
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1
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Monsieur Joe (IRE)
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P. Cosgrave
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R. Cowell
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14/1
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2
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Addictive Dream (IRE)
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A. Nicholls
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D. Nicholls
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11/1
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3
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Regally Ready (USA)
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C. Nakatani
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S. Asmussen
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12/1
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4
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A Shin Virgo (JPN)
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Y. Fukunaga
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K. Kozaki
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25/1
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5
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Nocturnal Affair (SAF)
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R. Moore
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D. Marnane
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10/1
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6
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Joy And Fun (NZ)
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B. Doyle
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D. Cruz
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7/1
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7
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Invincible Ash (IRE)
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J. Spencer
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M. Halford
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10/1
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8
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August Rush (SAF)
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G. Schofield
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H. Brown
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22/1
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9
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War Artist (AUS)
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K. Shea
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M. de Kock
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16/1
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10
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Ortensia (AUS)
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C. Williams
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P. Messara
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10/1
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11
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Eagle Regiment (AUS)
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O. Doleuze
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K. Man
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11/1
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12
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Prohibit (GB)
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J. Crowley
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R. Cowell
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14/1
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13
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Better Be The One (AUS)
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K. Fallon
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M. Freedman
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16/1
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14
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Secret Asset (IRE)
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G. Baker
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J. Chapple-Hyam
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25/1
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15
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Sole Power (GB)
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J. Murtagh
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E. Lynam
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8/1
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16
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Margot Did (IRE)
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H. Turner
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M. Bell
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10/1
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|
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|
|
|
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Gr.1-Dubai Golden Shaheen (1200 m.)
Sponsored by Gulf News
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Draw
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Horse
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Jockey
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Trainer
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Odds
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1
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Rocket Man (AUS)
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F. Coetzee
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P. Shaw
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2/1
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2
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Happy Dubai (IRE)
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J. Murtagh
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A. Al Raihe
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33/1
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|
3
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Giant Ryan (USA)
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W. Martinez
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B. Parboo
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12/1
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|
4
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Russian Rock (IRE)
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W. Smith
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W. Al Muhairi
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40/1
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5
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Krypton Factor (GB)
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K. Fallon
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F. Nass
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10/1
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6
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Hitchens (IRE)
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S. De Sousa
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T. Barron
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16/1
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|
7
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The Factor (USA)
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R. Bejarano
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B. Baffert
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6/1
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8
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Iver Bridge Lad (GB)
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M. O'Connell
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J. Ryan
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40/1
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9
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Sepoy (AUS)
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K. McEvoy
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P. Snowden
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9/2
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10
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Inxile (IRE)
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A. Nicholls
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D. Nicholls
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40/1
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11
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Soul (AUS)
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L. Dettori
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S. bin Suroor
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13/1
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12
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Lucky Nine (IRE)
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B. Prebble
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C. Fownes
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9/1
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|
|
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Gr.1-Dubai Duty Free (1800 m. turf)
Sponsored by Dubai Duty Free
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Draw
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Horse
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Jockey
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Trainer
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Odds
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1
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Green Destiny (IRE)
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G. Schofield
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H. Brown
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25/1
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|
2
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Await the Dawn (USA)
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J. O'Brien
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A. O'Brien
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11/1
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3
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Rajsaman (FR)
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R. Ffrench
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A. Al Raihe
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40/1
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4
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Ambitious Dragon (NZ)
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D. Whyte
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A. Millard
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9/2
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5
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Musir (AUS)
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K. Shea
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M. de Kock
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12/1
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|
6
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Delegator (GB)
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L. Dettori
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S. bin Suroor
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20/1
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7
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Dark Shadow (JPN)
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Y. Fukunaga
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N. Hori
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7/1
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8
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California Memory (USA)
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M. Chadwick
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T. Cruz
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10/1
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9
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Xtension (IRE)
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J. Lloyd
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J. Moore
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10/1
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10
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Mutahadee (IRE)
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C. Soumillon
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M. de Kock
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7/1
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|
11
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Cityscape (GB)
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J. Doyle
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R. Charlton
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10/1
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|
12
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Presvis (GB)
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R. Moore
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L. Cumani
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14/1
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|
13
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City Style (USA)
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M. Barzalona
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M. Al Zarooni
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25/1
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14
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Rio de La Plata (USA)
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S. De Sousa
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S. bin Suroor
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28/1
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|
15
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Wigmore Hall (IRE)
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J. Spencer
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M. Bell
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16/1
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16
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Dubawi Gold (GB)
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J. Murtagh
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R. Hannon
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20/1
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AE
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Albaasil (IRE)
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D. Watson
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40/1
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|
|
|
|
|
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Gr.1-Dubai Sheema Classic (2410 m. turf)
Sponsored by Longines
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Draw
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Horse
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Jockey
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Trainer
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Odds
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|
1
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Songcraft (IRE)
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S. De Sousa
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S. bin Suroor
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16/1
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2
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Bold Silvano (SAF)
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C. Soumillon
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M. de Kock
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16/1
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3
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Beaten Up (GB)
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J. Murtagh
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W. Haggas
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5/1
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4
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Mahbooba (AUS)
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K. Shea
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M. de Kock
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20/1
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|
5
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Cavalryman (GB)
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L. Dettori
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S. bin Suroor
|
14/1
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6
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Treasure Beach (GB)
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J. Spencer
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A. O'Brien
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8/1
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|
7
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Jakkalberry (IRE)
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R. Moore
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M. Botti
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33/1
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8
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Cirrus des Aigles (FR)
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O. Peslier
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C. Barande-Barbe
|
11/4
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9
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St. Nicholas Abbey (IRE)
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J. O'Brien
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A. O'Brien
|
3/1
|
|
10
|
Shimraan (FR)
|
M. Barzalona
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M. Al Zarooni
|
16/1
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|
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|
|
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Gr.1-Dubai World Cup (2000 m.)
Sponsored by Emirate Airline
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Draw
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Horse
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Jockey
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Trainer
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Odds
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1
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Master of Hounds (USA)
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C. Soumillon
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M. de Kock
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20/1
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2
|
Eishin Flash (JPN)
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C. Lemaire
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H. Fujiwara
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14/1
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3
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Zazou (GER)
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O. Peslier
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W. Hickst
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12/1
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4
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So You Think (NZ)
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J. O'Brien
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A. O'Brien
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5/2
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5
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Smart Falcon (JPN)
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Y. Take
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K. Kozaki
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11/2
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6
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Planteur (IRE)
|
R. Moore
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M. Botti
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14/1
|
|
7
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Royal Delta (USA)
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J. Lezcano
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W. Mott
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12/1
|
|
8
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Monterosso (GB)
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M. Barzalona
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M. Al Zarooni
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25/1
|
|
9
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Silver Pond (FR)
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J. Murtagh
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D. Watson
|
16/1
|
|
10
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Transcend (JPN)
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S. Fujita
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T. Yasuda
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16/1
|
|
12
|
Capponi (IRE)
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A. Ajtebi
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M. Al Zarooni
|
16/1
|
|
13
|
Prince Bishop (IRE)
|
L. Dettori
|
S. bin Suroor
|
33/1
|
|
14
|
Mendip (USA)
|
S. De Sousa
|
S. bin Suroor
|
33/1
|
|
15
|
Game On Dude (USA)
|
C. Sutherland
|
B. Baffert
|
10/1
|