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Desert Diary: Winning isn't everything, but the will to win is

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Quote on weighing room Meydan 2016

Inspiration for riders in the weighing room

 By Graham Dench in Dubai 10:55AM 26 MAR 2016 

IF A staggering $30m in prize money was not enough to get the blood up, riders at the world’s richest raceday can take added inspiration from the walls around the weighing room, which are adorned with quotes from historical figures themed on success and ambition.

Words from the likes of Napoleon – “victory belongs to the most persevering ” – and General Patton – “accept the challenges so that you feel the exhilaration of victory”- should help put jockeys in the zone.

Another, close to the exit out on to the parade ring, is one from American football legend Vince Lombardi – “winning isn’t everything, but the will to win is everything.”

Press preview

Just about everything at the Dubai World Cup is extraordinary in its scale, and the coverage the meeting gets in the local press is no exception

Gulf News, a daily broadsheet which is free in the lobby of just about every hotel in town, has had extensive racing coverage every day of the week, but for World Cup day itself it has really pushed the boat at.

A special edition for the 21st Dubai World Cup offers no fewer than 19 pages of wall-to-wall racing coverage, including full-page previews of the first eight races, and a spread on the World Cup itself.

In addition it has a double-page feature on Paul Hanagan, and full-page interviews with TV presenter Laura King, enjoying her 11th Dubai World Cup and her eighth with Dubai Racing Channel, and with Jacquie Doyle, mother of James and Sophie and featured in this diary earlier in the week.

It is not all froth either, for included in the Hanagan interview is a side bar in which he speaks openly of the worrying spread of flipping, among younger jockeys in particular. Hanagan says vomiting to control weight has “spiralled out of control” and is “getting pretty serious”.

“A big change”, is required, he says.

Dubai World Cup Trophy - Meydan 2016

Tonight’s big prize

Dress to impress

Fashionistas are well catered for at the Dubai World Cup, as they are now on the big days all around the world, with Jaguar sponsoring separate awards for the best dressed lady, man and couple, as well as the best hat and the most creative hat. In addition, Longines had a prize for the occasion’s most elegant lady.

This must be one of the world’s most glamorous sporting events and racegoers really make an effort, so competition is hot in every category.

There are worthwhile prizes down to eighth place in every division, and first prize in the two principal categories is the use of a stunning Jaguar F-Type Coupe for six months.

Top work

Meydan has multiple media centres, but the two main ones are at ground level next to the pre-parade ring, where access is easiest to the winner’s enclosure and weighing room area,  and up on the fifth floor, where the view is truly spectacular but it can take an age to get from A to B.

As at all of these events, the media are granted many, many different levels of access, and since the event draws them in their hundreds from all around the world the Emirates Racing Authority staff face an unenviable task in keeping the peace.

Step forward then Tony “firm but fair” Terry, Sarah Tregoning, Mark Monkhouse and Malika Faber. You’ve done a great job guys.

Worth a punt

Betting is forbidden, of course, in Dubai, but racegoers – all 60,000 of them – are given a free Pick 6 card as they approach the track’s rigorous security checks. It might not create quite the levels of excitement we enjoyed with our betting boots on at Cheltenham last week, but the prizes are generous if you know what you are doing and can understand the rules. That rules out your diarist then

 

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