Singapore’s Ip Man sets track record at Meydan

Ip Man joins stablemate Dark Matter as a candidate for the UAE Two Thousand Guineas (Andrew Watkins/Dubai Racing Club) Singapore-based trainer Steven Burridge has made a flying start to the 2012 Dubai World Cup Carnival and saddled his third winner from only four runners when Ip Man broke the track record in the concluding featured handicap at Meydan on Saturday. 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 Emirates. The New Zealand-bred scored by 2 1/2 lengths and blitzed about seven furlongs in 1:22.66, lowering the mark of 1:22.95 owned by Sirooco Breeze since March 5, 2010. “That is only the horse’s fifth start, and we did not what to expect from him here in Dubai,” Burridge said. “We could well look at the U.A.E. Two Thousand Guineas (Group 3 February 9) with him now as he is only three and hopefully has a lot more to offer.” Burridge has a leading candidate for the Guineas in Dark Matter, who captured the local Trial on January 12.

It was the second track record on the night after Bawadi had earlier
negotiated about 1 3/16 miles in 1:56.90. The old record of 1:57.05 had been set
by Allybar in the second round of the Group 3 Al Maktoum Challenge, also in
2010. 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.

“There was plenty of pace on early,” Cosgrave said, “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 Iguazu Falls to
win the only turf race, a handicap over a metric mile. Never far off the pace,
ziani’s mount quickened clear early in the straight and always looked likely to
hold on.

“This horse is a real favorite of mine,” Ziani said, “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 U.A.E. tally to 200 when Tanfeeth won the about 1
3/8-mile handicap on his U.A.E. 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 a furlong out.

“I had not realized that was 200, so I am delighted,” O’Shea said. “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 an about one-mile handicap. The pair were virtually last turning for home.

“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,” Doyle said. “Once we found daylight he
has picked up very well and about 200 meters out I thought we might get there.
Luckily the leaders have folded and we have caught them close home.”

The opening about seven-furlong handicap was won by the Ali Rashid al Raihe-trained
Rutland Boy under a great ride from Jamie Spencer.

“We had a poor draw out wide,” Spencer said, “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.”