Racehorse TALK

I'm not overly inspired by the season opener this evening from Dubai. I don't think there's anything much among the entries that will figure heavily come DWC night. I'll watch with interest though and see how the track's playing this year.

Where are you watching from ?

Can we in Australia watch it on the NET ?

The Raven is going to have a small e/w spec bet on Third Set in the 1730. He won a nice race in Dubai last year from memory 

I have two friends on course in Dubai texting info and am watching the coverage in London on Sky Sports 1. Perhaps TVN has some late night coverage? Not sure of any other links for customers in Oz.

Yes Raven Third Set would e a great chance on a true firm surface. Let's see how heavy handed they've been with the watering can. Surprised that TS is no longer in the SBR camp as I thought he'd be a good chance in the US on firm ground over a mile.

A big knock on the favourite for Mike De Kock in the first. The track is good to soft after heavy thunderstorms overnight. No good for Third Set. Clifton Dancer a fair price in the first but up in grade.

The De Kock trained favourite ( 7/4 ) goes down as the mail predicted. Miss Gorica gets the money for carnival regular and leading rider Ted Durcan. A good run by Clifton Dancer for third without getting much room all the way down the straight.

The second meeting of the Dubai Carnival kicks off this evening with the quaity level increasing from last Thursday night. The De Kock camp debut a number of serious DWC night contenders in the shape of their regular haul of Sth American raiders. Last season's Duty Free winner Jay Peg makes his 2009 debut and on previous form will probably require the hitout. A card well worth noting with a view to the DWC night events.

More reports closer to the action.

Street Cry youngster Desert Party has posted a solid claim for the UAE Guineas with a comfortable victory over his stablemate in the traditional seven furlong ( 1400m ) lead up race. Desert Party went off around 15/8 favourite and continued the good form of the Godolphin camp so far this season. They're looking for a quick double through current favourite Asset in the next.

Luca Cumani sends out two solid chances later this evening in the shape of Presvis and Swop. Both horses should be very hard to beat in their individual contests. The pair are currently around 6/4 and 5/2 respectively at Betfair.

Gladiatorus continued the great form of trainer Mubarak bin Shafya and jockey Akhmed Ajtebi by leading most of the way to take the Jaguar Trophy. Local lad Ajtebi is emerging as a top quality hoop after stints abroad in Australia and England where his successes include at win at the Royal Ascot meeting in 2008. Trainer bin Shafya is also displaying top qualities this season from his out of town base in the middle of the desert. Mr bin Shafya has been sent a number of quality animals to handle for the 2009 Dubai season and is certainly one to watch.

The good oil for Nad Al Sheba today

3.15 - Fateh Field
3.45 - Underworld
4.15 - New Freedom
4.50 - Dynamic Saint
5.20 - Bon Spiel
5.50 - Third Set
6.20 - Wise Dennis

Give em strength, Raven has a house to pay for 

A tricky card mainly for the handicappers this evening. Best of luck with the house payments Mr Raven. The Gr3 Al Rashidiya often turns up a DWC Night competitor. A decent race with our mate Third Set taking on a solid line up from the De Kock camp along with the likes of Dubai stalwart Oracle West, Godolphin's Kirklees and Traffic Guard ( high class non winner ).

Solid group horse Wise Dennis looks well enough in with the likes of the Queen's runner Banknote and lighweight Furnace looking fairly treated in a very competitive race.

Plenty of money about in the UK this morning for Dandy Nicholl's runner Strike Up The Band in the next. I can't have him though. Dandy hasn't quite cracked it in the UAE just yet. I can't have old New Freedom either. In a wide open race the Pascal Bary trained Sarissa and longshot Dream Impact look to be worth a trade.

Sarissa 8.7 av ( 9.0 best ) - 1.50 ( 1.34 low ) and a good result from the premature plungers. Dream Impact the Italian with the handy 1st up record never sighted. No surprise to see a longshot land the prize there.

A few "once highly touted" horses in the next who have invariably failed to flatter. The Mubarak bin Shafya trio look tricky and might try to dictate from the front. UK runner Sgt Schultz would have some hope if the speed is decent enough. The Raven selection hasn't won for two years but has some hope. Some very inconsistent form to assess here. Old De Kock stager Bennie Blue might be as reliable as any back to this trip.

Well done Mr Raven ( 6.6 BFSP ). The old fellow ran in patches and hit 80 in running but ran down my Mubarak bin Shafya horse late.