Training gallops give way to Meydan

It’s phenomenal to think that plans to build the world’s biggest and best racecourse city were unveiled just 14 months ago as, judging by the Meydan website, construction appears to be racing on.

In racing’s most eagerly anticipated project, as usual Dubai sets the standard and come the 2010 World Cup meeting, all eyes will be firmly focused on the most elaborate track since Ascot revamped its course three years ago.

With such a gigantic mission, there are going to be several changes around the current Nad Al Sheba site, and the small 1,400-metre-round training gallop will shortly be closed as the bulldozers begin a new phase of the multi-million dollar showpiece.

All is not lost however, as a new exercise track and turf strip is expected to be resurrected somewhere behind Nofa Stables during the next couple of months, which should give work riders a horseback view as a new racing era dawns.

No excuse

One jockey who could have done with a bird’s-eye view was Gold Cup-winning rider, Sam Thomas, who got confused with the layout of Fakenham’s chase course this week.

When jockeys make mistakes, I usually understand their predicament, but there are two things I feel there are no excuses for.

Number one: Riders should be aware of the distance the race is over, and therefore, racing for the line a circuit too soon is non-excusable.

Number two: Taking the wrong course. Considering jockeys get in excess of Dh700 per ride, I see little reason why these simple checks cannot be followed through prior to the start of a race.

Racing is supposed to be a professional sport, and unnecessary mistakes like this do little to promote the industry.

Thomas was given a 17-day ban for his actions. I have a book entitled A Guide to Britain’s Racecourses, perhaps I should lend it to him to read during his sabbatical.

Not up to the mark

As Dubai Racing Club bids to enhance the quality of racing in the UAE, any thoroughbred rated below 55 will no longer be able to come under starter’s orders, and for those purebred Arabians with a mark of under 40, the same will apply.

Meetings at the likes of Sharjah, and many Jebel Ali fixtures, tend to feature the same lowly-rated individuals taking each other on week after week for meagre prize money.

With this new idea, racing prior to the carnival should be of a much higher class, and with no races for the lesser lights, maybe the spare cash will help boost further the already generous purses at the Winter Racing Challenge.

Another sad goodbye

The team at Grandstand stable who lost stable favourite Tropical Star only last year, were again in a sombre mood on Monday, when the admirable Vanishing Act, who also carried the same colours of his former stablemate, sadly passed away after a short illness.

A winner in each of the last three seasons, his name on the riding out list at the yard will be much missed.