TRACKSIDE WORLDWIDE

Our weekly roundup from columnist Joe Bell as he looks at the best of the racing action from around the world.

ROMANTIC WARRIOR AND WHITE ABARRIO RISE UP TO EXPECTATIONS

The Dubai Racing Carnival kicked into gear on Friday, January 24, with two Group One races featuring serious contenders for the upcoming Saudi Cup in February. Romantic Warrior demonstrated why he’s regarded as one of the best thoroughbreds in the world, claiming victory in the Group One Jebel Hatta on turf. Both trainer Danny Shum and jockey James McDonald expressed satisfaction with the Hong Kong gelding’s performance as he notched his 10th Group One win.

However, Romantic Warrior's next outing could prove to be his toughest yet. Having traveled to Dubai specifically to compete on dirt for the first time, the $20 million Saudi Cup on February 22 could become his crowning achievement. If he wins the world’s richest race on a surface he has only trialed on, it would cement his place in racing history.

Despite Romantic Warrior’s dominance on turf, punters may lean toward a horse like Walk of Stars for the Saudi Cup. Walk of Stars secured a win in Friday night’s other Group One event, the Al Maktoum Challenge over 1,900m, narrowly beating stablemate Imperial Emperor. The Saudi-owned runner claimed his second victory of this year’s carnival and further solidified his credentials.

Last year’s Group One Dubai Turf winner, Facteur Cheval, also made his much-anticipated dirt debut on Friday, finishing an impressive third in the Al Maktoum Challenge. However, the night was overshadowed by a tragic incident in the Jebel Hatta, where Measured Time sustained a fatal injury. While connections mourned the loss of last year’s winner, they were relieved that jockey William Buick emerged unscathed.

Across the Atlantic, the Pegasus World Cup took center stage at Gulfstream Park on Saturday, January 25, drawing prominent names and offering big money. White Abarrio stole the spotlight in the $3 million feature race over 1,800m, delivering a decisive victory to cap off a stellar day for trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. 

White Abarrio is no stranger to success at Gulfstream Park, having won the Group One Florida Derby as a three-year-old. Despite this, it was Locked who entered Saturday’s race as the favorite. But any doubts about White Abarrio’s form were erased as he surged ahead with ease in the final stretch, winning by more than six lengths.

Joseph enjoyed a banner day at Gulfstream, saddling a trio of winners. Be Your Best claimed the Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes, while Mystic River captured the Group Two Inside Information Stakes.

In New Zealand, the spotlight was on Karaka Millions night at Ellerslie, where Te Akau Racing continued its remarkable run of success. La Dorada, trained by Mark Walker, took out the Listed Karaka Million 2YO Classic over 1,200m, giving David Ellis and his syndicate their eighth win in the past nine editions of the race. 

Walker completed a double for Ellis when Damask Rose triumphed in the $1.5 million Karaka Million 3YO Classic. Meanwhile, Orchestral returned to winning form by claiming the million-dollar Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic over a mile. 

The card also featured a win by Australian based trainer Chris Waller, who brought Kosana to Ellerslie to compete in the Westbury Classic. Waller has plenty of fans in his home country of New Zealand, with his involvement a highlight for the meeting’s organisers. It also helped offset the absence of top jockey James McDonald, who was unable to return home for the meeting due to his commitments in Dubai.

written by Joe Bell