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| Staff Writer |
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The Dubai International Carnival ended on a high note for Bhupat Seemar, who trained five winners. He must be feeling confident as he prepares his team for the Dubai World Cup meeting later this month. Despite his success, the improving Guns and Glory, who won the Dubai Marina Conditions Stakes, wasn't selected for the big night, which seems like a missed opportunity for the Seemar team.
Looking at this week's races, four stood out, particularly those run on the dirt. Arabian Tale and Elusive Terry won those races, and they were the strongest-run contests, with Finishing Speed Percentages (FSP) of 96.82% and 96.85% respectively. The other races were evenly run.
Let's start by discussing Guns and Glory's performance in the Dubai Marina race. On his third start, this son of Gun Runner showed significant improvement, beating Elyabri by 12 lengths. He was able to dictate the pace, which worked to his advantage, as shown by his FSP of 99.12%.
This indicates that he ran the final two furlongs just 0.88% slower than the earlier part of the race. He maintained even fractions throughout, making it challenging for other horses to catch up.
Despite this impressive win, it's uncertain if he'll perform as well in higher-grade races. Nonetheless, Guns and Glory's progress underlines his potential for future Carnivals.
In the Dubai Creek Harbour Handicap, Vespasian demonstrated his prowess by winning his second race at Meydan. He finished strongly over six furlongs, overtaking the more prominently ridden Faatik.
Despite the action taking place down the middle of the track, Vespasian managed to keep up with his rivals. His even gallop resulted in an FSP of 99.49%, and his final quarter mile of 23.29s indicated that he outlasted his competitors as they tired. While not the fastest finish, it showcased Vespasian's resilience and suitability for longer distances.
Royal Dubai secured another victory in the Downtown Dubai Handicap, displaying his trademark turn of foot. He accelerated well in a steadily run race, recording an FSP of 109.81%, and repeated this performance in a similarly paced race, finishing in 22.44s. This consistency, achieved off a higher mark than before, highlights Royal Dubai's potential as a handicapper.
Elusive Terry triumphed in the Emaar South Handicap on dirt, fighting back after being headed in the final furlong. Despite tiring towards the end, he showed remarkable toughness, recording an FSP of 96.85%. His ability to maintain a strong pace, even when fatigued, suggests he has a bright future in longer races.
Overall, these races showcased the diversity of talent and strategies on display at the Dubai International Carnival, providing valuable insights into each horse's abilities and potential for future success.