 Tim Carroll 's Bio | |
|---|---|
| Tim started off as a jockey in Australia before pursuing a media career. He is a highly experienced and respected racing presenter who has been based in England since 2005. Tim has travelled the world covering many of the major meetings, including Royal Ascot, The Epsom Derby, The International meeting from Sha Tin, The Dubai World Cup, The Everest, The Saudi Cup and The Breeders. He is currently a presenter for Sky Sports Racing, specialising in both the local and international scene. Tim is a regular contributor to the At The Races Website where his twice weekly tipping column on Hong Kong racing has gathered a strong following. | |
Meydan Racecourse – Track Analysis (Al Maktoum Challenge Day):
Meydan Racecourse opened in 2010, consists of two left-handed circuits, turf and dirt, with the turf track on the outside. The turf track, which is noted for its large roomy layout and fairness to all runners, is a flat course, 2400m in circumference and approximately 30m in width, with a straight of 450m. There are two chutes, one at the top of the back straight for races held over 1800m to 2000m, and one at that connects to the top of the home straight, which sees all races from 1000m to 1200m held over a straight course. Although the ground conditions are mostly good on race day, the thick lush well maintained Bermuda grass covering means that horses who like a bit of give underfoot tend to enjoy the ground.
The dirt track is 1750m in circumference and approximately 25m in width, with a home straight of 400m. The chute which is located on the back straight and links to the main circuit in a dog-leg shape, which races over 1400m to 1600m are held. The dirt track replaced the tapeta surface in 2014 and it saw a distinct bias to those handy to the speed that made it difficult for those at the back to win. However, it has improved in recent times with different run styles now able to win, but it is considered that front-runners in evenly run races still hold an advantage.
Two races from Al Maktoum Challenge Day will be simulcast to Hong Kong this year, one on the turf and one on the dirt track.
G1 Jebel Hatta (1800m Turf)
For the 1800m G1 Jebel Hatta, the horses jump from the start of the chute in the back straight and have a long run to the first turn, making the draw of little importance. They then move onto a big sweeping bend that leads into the wide 450m straight. With the turf track considered one of the best in the world, all horses are usually afforded every chance. The Jebel Hatta is a qualifying race for the Dubai Turf on Dubai World Cup night, with a bonus offered to the connections of any horse that can win both races.
Over the last ten years, winners can come from anywhere. Since 2015, there have been three that have tracked the speed, four that have sat midfield and three that have been held up. Godolphin do well at their home meeting and this race is no different, with their all-blue colours successful in six of the last ten runnings. William Buick has ridden three of the last ten winners, while Dane O’Neil & James Doyle, with two wins apiece, are the only other riders to have won the race more than once during that time.
G1 Al Maktoum Challenge (1900m Dirt)
For the dirt race, the 1900m Al Maktoum Challenge, horses start from halfway up the main straight and have a short run before heading into the first turn. Horses that prefer to go forward will benefit from low to middle barriers, but there is no significant draw bias. More emphasis is placed on speed, as horses that are delivered late can find it difficult to reel in the leaders on the dirt in races not run at a solid gallop. The Al Maktoum Challenge is a qualifying race for the Dubai World Cup, with a bonus offered to the connections of any horse that wins both races.
The weather forecast in the UAE in January is very consistent. There is only a minimal chance of rain, and most days are sunny, with temperatures in the mid-20s. The last ten editions of the Jebel Hatta (formerly held in March) have been run on good going, and it is highly likely that will be the case again this year.
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