Continuing the tradition of horses placing in the Dubai World Cup returning to win it, last year's third Monterosso has taken the 2012 edition for the home team.
Monterosso was ridden by Mickael Barzalona giving the talented young jockey the biggest thrill of his career to date. Al Zarooni trained the winner and the runner up Capponi, with Ahmed Ajtebi in the irons, and Planteur, the mount of Ryan Moore, something of a surprise in third. So You Think was up in the front for much of the race but was unable to find the extra needed to take the race. The recently sold Zazou was 5th and Eishin Flash the best of the Japanese runners third. No fairy tale for Chantal Sutherland with Game on Dude at the wrong end of the field, but she endeared herself to the Dubai crowd.
The Sheema was a wonderful birthday present for Corinne Barande Barbe when Olivier Peslier rode Cirrus des Aigles to a tight victory over the fast finishing St Nicholas Abbey, with Jakkalberry third, Treasure Beach fourth, Mahbooba fifth and beaten up sixth.
The Duty Free was something of an upset with Cityscape winning from Mutahadee and City Style. Wigmore Hall was fourth, Xtension the best of the Hong Kong runners in fifth and Musir sixth. Ambitious Dragon has chances but could not get closer than seventh, Presvis never got into the race and was second last.
Finally we had the rerun of the Dubai Gold Cup with Frankie Dettori getting his second win of the night on Opinion Poll with Joshua Tree second and unfortunately no fairy tale end of career win for Richard Hills but a very honourable third on Zanzimar. Unfortunately two more runners - Grand Vent and Bronze Cannon - both failed to finish. Mickael Barzalona was on Grand Vent, thus experiencing the highs and the very lows of racing in a short time.
