By Steve Sherack
With an overflow field of 17 entered, there are plenty of different directions to go in for Wednesday's US$500,000 Qatar Derby.
Tannaaf (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), a smart debut winner at Newmarket last summer, makes the trip for trainer Mike de Kock. The bay was last seen placing a close third in the Listed Fairway S. May 30.
“Tannaaf won impressively at Newmarket as a 2-year-old before competing last season in some of the English Derby trials,” de Kock offered. “He is a late maturing horse and I think he will run very well in the Qatar Derby, although it is a competitive international race as you would expect.”
He continued, “I am not sure what the graded equivalent would be, but the Royal Family in Qatar are spending in the racing industry. They clearly have a gameplan and the stature of this race has improved with the purse.”
Canndal (Fr) (Medicean {GB}), second in the GI Belmont Derby Invitational S. in New York July 4, was third behind The Blue Eye (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in his local debut for these connections Dec. 10. Frankie Dettori has the mount.
Jamie Spencer will be in town to guide Quarterback (Ger) (American Post {GB}), winner of the Norwegian Derby in August. He placed second in the Listed James Seymour S. at Newmarket most recently Oct. 31.
The filly Little Nightingale (Fr) (Muhtathir {GB}), third in the G1 Prix de Diane in June, was freshened since finishing seventh at 38-1 in the G1 Prix de l'Opera Oct. 4.
“We welcome all of the international runners and wish them the best of luck in their respective races,” Nasser Al Kaabi, general manager of the Qatar Racing and Equestrian Club, said. “We are looking forward to welcoming more international runners at the Emir's Sword Festival which will take place on 26, 27 and 28 February, 2016. I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy New Year.”
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