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The ERA Stewards opened an inquiry on 22nd of January, 2019 into the notification by the Dubai Equine Forensic Unit that the prohibited substance Xylazine and Hydroxy-Xylazine had been detected in the post-race urine sample taken from DABER W’RSAN (AE), after it raced and won, Race 2 “The Damas UAE Bred Maiden” over 1200m at Abu Dhabi Racecourse on the 23rd of December 2018.

Evidence was taken from Ms. Jaci Wickham (Trainer), Dr. Kieran Finn (ERA Veterinarian) and Mr. Jahfar Nalakath (Chief Analyst – Dubai Equine Forensic Unit). The following matters were established during the inquiry;

Racing at Meydan Saturday saved the best for last when Hot Scot Racing Stable’s Riflescope shot down the nightcap and co-feature—the AED 205,000 Al Maryah Island Trophy Handicap over 1200m on turf— with authority. The final time was a blistering 1:09.90—quickest of the season thus far—and margin a rather dominant 2¾ lengths. Satish Seemar of Zabeel Stables landed a hat trick in the process and O’Shea won his second race of the evening.

Racing at Al Ain on Friday was highlighted by a 2000m conditions race, restricted to horses who had not won two races and landed in decisive fashion by Amwaj, confidently ridden by Pat Cosgrave and doubling her career tally in the process. A homebred of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan trained by Eric Lemartinel, the 6-year-old mare made a winning debut over 1600m here at Al Ain in November 2016 and had run plenty of good races in defeat stepped up in class before missing last season.

The fifth meeting of the 2019 Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan on Thursday was highlighted by the 1200m Al Shindagha Sprint sponsored by Jebel Ali Port (G3), which was won impressively by Drafted, a third consecutive winner in the dirt dash for trainer Doug Watson and stable jockey Pat Dobbs. Also on the card was the first classic of the UAE season, the Listed UAE 1,000 Guineas, as well as the Meydan Classic Trial for turf 3-year-olds, a Group 1 affair for Purebred Arabians and a triad of competitive handicaps which could have Dubai World Cup night implications.

Thursday’s fifth meeting of the 2019 Dubai World Cup Carnival is another quality affair, officially highlighted by the Group 3 $200,000 Al Shindagha Sprint (Race 4), but also including the first classic of the campaign, the Listed $250,000 UAE 1000 Guineas (Race 2). In addition, the Group 1 $75,000 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 (Race 1) for Purebred Arabians, $100,000 Meydan Classic Trial (Race 3) for grass 3-year-olds and a trio of handicaps add depth to the evening, which is sponsored by DP World and has a first race post time of 6:30 p.m.

AL SHINDAGHA SPRINT (Group 3 | $200,000 | 1200m)

DUBAI (January 28, 2019)—A host of global Thoroughbred racing stars have been nominated for the Dubai World Cup card at Meydan Racecourse. Created in 1996 as part of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai’s a long-term vision for racing, the nine-race meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March 30, 2019.

Racing at Abu Dhabi on Sunday is highlighted by a quality renewal of the 1200m Group 3 Al Ruwais in which the weights are headed by ES Ajeeb, undoubtedly one of the fastest Purebred Arabians in the UAE, but considered a better performer on dirt as opposed to the turf in the capital. However, the 5-year-old son of Big Easy, himself winner of this in three consecutive seasons between December 2002 and January 2005, has won on the Abu Dhabi turf, over 1600m which was plenty far enough for him, so we should be able to expect a bold showing.