Pennekamp back on track

RICHARD EDMONDSON

While Britain is threatened by sleet and frost there are hardy expatriates elsewhere doing their thing in the sunshine for Sheikh and country. The Dubai World Cup on 27 March marshals attention at these times (particularly among the poor shivering souls in the press room) as the white cloak haunts domestic action.

Arrangements are already streaming along in the Emirates for a race that will provide one beaming owner with $4million, the richest prize ever devised in global racing.

It may be of some comfort for those in the freeze here to learn that Dubai has experienced its worst winter since the drills and bore holes elevated its status. There have been 10 solid days of rain in the Emirates recently and the locals have been peering heavenwards to ascertain what they have done wrong.

An almost biblical resurrection also has been the sight of a horse called Pennekamp on the track. This colt, whose reputation soared following his success in last year's 2,000 Guineas, has now recovered from the dreadful injury sustained while a white-hot favourite for the Derby and he has been cantering this week. The Cup beckons, but he has a long way to go.

Pennekamp's opposition for the big bucks race promises to be fairly searching. There is Freedom Cry from France, Pentire from Britain, as well as an animal from the United States called Cigar, who may be referred to (for what is it's worth) as the best horse in the world.

The Dubai World Cup is, of course, a mechanism for enticing trade into the desert. Largesse is extended everywhere (a tantalising factor which has sustained the Fourth Estate in the chilly outposts these recent months) as the de facto ruler, Sheikh Mohammed, attempts to provide for his children and people in the years beyond. Few are disappointed.

Even the most stereotyped of British trainers are entranced by the place, including Mr Yorkshire himself, Peter Easterby. The Great Habton trainer has a standard line about travelling. "The great thing about going abroad," he says, "is going back home."

Even this 24-carat Ridings man has great messages to send about Dubai though, and that extends not only to the desalinated world of the turf. "You can leave your wallet and watch anywhere and it won't get nicked," he said. Apparently the repercussions are rather drastic.

Horses, as well, are treated to an extreme in the Gulf, which perhaps explains the great results of Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin operation. The nation's Crown Prince continues to take a conservative line on the effectiveness of an Arabian wintering but it is a passage that most accept is a defining moment for racehorses.

"There is a lot more than a bit of sunshine about Godolphin," Lord John Fitzgerald, the secretary of the Emirates Racing Association, said yesterday. "The whole operation is an elitist organisation looking after horses.''

The good Lord John has now been in Dubai for four years and finds his post more agreeable than the times he had to get up in the mornings to train horses at Newmarket.

"I miss the good days," he said. "But not when I was going broke." The former trainer is impoverished no longer, and neither, for that matter, is Dubai itself. When the oil runs out for Sheikh Mohammed, he could also have a great career in egg-timers.

THE SATURDAY STATS

Favourites: 2 out of 6 won producing a loss to a level pounds 1 stake of pounds 1.90.

Winner at longest price: Sacred Mirror won the 12-furlong fillies' handicap at Lingfield at 10-1.

Winner at longest Tote odds: Sacred Mirror again with a dividend worth 16.5-1.

Shortest-priced loser: Agent, who had been widely tipped, was backed down to 4-9 favourite but was beaten more than five lengths into third place.

Worst Tote odds: Tormount, who won Agent's race, paid only pounds 5.70 compared to a starting price of 9-1 with the bookmakers.

Tote Placepots: Lingfield (3 placed favourites) pounds 520.20.

Jackpot: Not won at Lingfield. Pool of pounds 23,268.19 carried forward to Southwell today.

Jockey: Tony McCoy further enhanced his reputation when forcing North Bannister to catch Damcada in the final strides at Folkestone on Wednesday. ''Only McCoy could have got him home there,'' winning trainer Tom McGovern said later.

Trainer: Jim Old for saddling Collier Bay to win the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.

Horse: Tresidder, a 14-year-old veteran steeplechaser, had not won a race since March 1994 but notched his 17th jumping success with a six- length win at Sedgefield on Wednesday, taking his prize-money total for jumps to more than pounds 41,000. ''The old horse has never lost his enthusiasm for the game,'' said jockey Russ Garritty.