DUBAI // Meydan's debut as venue for the Dubai World Cup will linger long in the memory after last night's breathtaking finish to the US$10m (Dh36.7m) classic saw a courageous Gloria de Campeao hold off the storming challenges of Lizard's Desire and Allybar in a three-way photo finish.
The packed galleries at the new course, which has proved to be a wonderful replacement for the traditional home of Nad al Sheba, the host of the world's richest meeting for the previous 14 years, were convinced that they were witnessing a night of glory for locally based trainer Mike de Kock.
The South African handler, who had earlier saddled a stunning one-two in the UAE Derby, looked like he had finally earned an elusive first success in the main event when his Lizard's Desire came with a storming finish under the powerful driving of jockey Kevin Shea.
Similarly Ahmad Ajtebi, the brilliant Emirati jockey who was the hero of last year's meeting by completing a rapid turf double in the Dubai Duty Free and Sheema Classic, thought he was on the verge of even greater glory as he coaxed Allybar into what seemed to be a decisive late burst for the finish line.
Photographic evidence ruled against both local hopes as the judge declared "Gloria" the winner by the margin of a nose and a short head from his two close pursuers.
Stefan Friborg, owner of Gloria de Campeao, was mentally drained afterwards.
"When he crossed the line he [Portuguese jockey Tiago Pereira] felt he had won but when he saw the replay he was not so sure.
"He went from a feeling of elation to deflation and then elation again after hearing the judge's announcement.
"We are all so delighted. Gloria is a great fighter he has such a big heart. He certainly proved that onight. We all thought that it might be third time lucky for us in this race and that's how it has worked out for us."
Pascal Bary, the winning trainer, was also ecstatic at securing the $6m payday to follow the $1.2m runner-up prize of last year.
He said: "My horse has been in good shape all through the season and he arrived here in better condition than he was last year [when he was a distant second behind the record-breaking winner Well Armed]
"He won at the first meeting held at Meydan and was just touched off last time here by Red Desire so we had every confidence that things would go well for us tonight."
It was a remarkable front-running feat by "Gloria" who simply refused to be headed as challenger after challenger tried in vain to go past her in what turned into one of the finest races in the 15-year history of this showpiece event.
Enthusiasm for one of the favourites Vision D'Etat dwindled a few hours before the big race when it was discovered that the French-trained five-year-old was forced to undergo a vet's examination before being cleared to take part.
Concerns over stiffness in the 2008 French Derby winner's limbs led to his surrendering his place as favourite to Twice Over, whom he had defeated at Royal Ascot last year, and another of the British raiders Gitando Hernando.
The world's richest race, which finished 80 long minutes after the preceding Dubai Sheema Classic, brought down the curtain on another short but eventful UAE season and completed a smooth transition to the new venue of Meydan from Nad Al Sheba.
First time visitors to the ultra-modern Meydan venue were surely impressed, despite frustrations in gaining access and entry to the course.
The packed stands and terracing along the finishing straight looked a picture as "Gloria" gloriously completed another magnificent international sporting occasion in the UAE.
wjohnson@thenational.ae
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Started: Sept 2017
Based: UAE with a subsidiary in the UK
Industry: FinTech
Funding: Undisclosed
Investors: Elaine Jones
Number of employees: 8
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Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Name: Xpanceo
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Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
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TWISTERS
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Types of bank fraud
1) Phishing
Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
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The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
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The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
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Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
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Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
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Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
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The Intruder
Director: Deon Taylor
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One star
Timeline
1947
Ferrari’s road-car company is formed and its first badged car, the 125 S, rolls off the assembly line
1962
250 GTO is unveiled
1969
Fiat becomes a Ferrari shareholder, acquiring 50 per cent of the company
1972
The Fiorano circuit, Ferrari’s racetrack for development and testing, opens
1976
First automatic Ferrari, the 400 Automatic, is made
1987
F40 launched
1988
Enzo Ferrari dies; Fiat expands its stake in the company to 90 per cent
2002
The Enzo model is announced
2010
Ferrari World opens in Abu Dhabi
2011
First four-wheel drive Ferrari, the FF, is unveiled
2013
LaFerrari, the first Ferrari hybrid, arrives
2014
Fiat Chrysler announces the split of Ferrari from the parent company
2015
Ferrari launches on Wall Street
2017
812 Superfast unveiled; Ferrari celebrates its 70th anniversary
Results
57kg quarter-finals
Zakaria Eljamari (UAE) beat Hamed Al Matari (YEM) by points 3-0.
60kg quarter-finals
Ibrahim Bilal (UAE) beat Hyan Aljmyah (SYR) RSC round 2.
63.5kg quarter-finals
Nouredine Samir (UAE) beat Shamlan A Othman (KUW) by points 3-0.
67kg quarter-finals
Mohammed Mardi (UAE) beat Ahmad Ondash (LBN) by points 2-1.
71kg quarter-finals
Ahmad Bahman (UAE) defeated Lalthasanga Lelhchhun (IND) by points 3-0.
Amine El Moatassime (UAE) beat Seyed Kaveh Safakhaneh (IRI) by points 3-0.
81kg quarter-finals
Ilyass Habibali (UAE) beat Ahmad Hilal (PLE) by points 3-0