DUBAI JAN 21 - IP MAN NABS MEYDAN FEATURE, BREAKS TRACK RECORD

By Duubai Racing Club | Saturday, January 21, 2012

Singapore-based trainer Steven Burridge has made a flying start to the 2012 Dubai World Cup Carnival and he saddled his third winner from only four runners when Ip Man broke the track record in the concluding featured 1400m Saeed & Mohammed Al Naboodah Group handicap at Meydan on Saturday evening on a card, like Friday's, sponsored by the Al Naboodah Group.

Ip Man was produced with a withering late run by Oscar Chavez who now has the enviable record of two winners from two rides in the UAE.

Burridge said: "That is only the horse's fifth start and we did not know what to expect from him here in Dubai. We could well look at the UAE 2000 Guineas with him now as he is only three and hopefully has a lot more to offer."

It was the second track record on the night after Bawadi had earlier broken the 1900m all-weather mark in the Swaidan Trading Company Peugeot. The record had previously been set by Allybar in the second round of the 2010 Al Maktoum Challenge.

Originally the first reserve, Pat Cosgrave was in the saddle for his main employer Mubarak bin Shafya and they beat fellow reserve Bin Shamardal in a driving finish.

Cosgrave said: "There was plenty of pace on early which has really helped us as the field was strung out and we had plenty of gaps to aim at. I tracked the runner-up through and was always pretty confident."

The trainer completed a double when Xavier Ziani partnered Iguaza Falls to win the only turf race, the 1600m Al Naboodah Construction Group handicap.

Never far off the pace, Xiani's mount quickened clear early in the straight and always looked likely to hold on.

Ziani said: "This horse is a real favourite of mine and it is great to win on him here at the Carnival. The horses are running well and it has been a good evening for the yard."

Tadhg O'Shea took his UAE tally to 200 when Tanfeeth won the 2200m Al Naboodah Travel & Tourism handicap on his UAE debut for trainer Musabah Al Muhairi.

With several runners enduring torrid passages, O'Shea was able to weave through runners to gain a decisive lead about 200m out.

The jockey said: "I had not realised that was 200 winners, so I am delighted. It is a good milestone and hopefully there will be plenty more. This is a nice new horse with some good form in the UK. It would be nice to think he will improve and he clearly relishes the all-weather."

Al Muhairi then completed a double when James Doyle steered Trojan Nights to win the 1600m Swaidan Trading Company - VDL handicap.

The pair were virtually last turning for home and Doyle explained: "I would have settled for being in the first three at the top of the straight as I was well behind with nowhere to go. Once we found daylight he has picked up very well and about 200m out I thought we might get there. Luckily the leaders have folded and we have caught them close home."

The opening 1400m SMKA - MK By Honeywell handicap was won by the Ali Rashid Al Raihe-trained Rutland Boy under a great ride from Jamie Spencer who said: "We had a poor draw out wide so I wanted to get across and near the speed. I was able to kick on early in the straight and the horse has responded very gamely."

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