Despite a lot of last-minute touch-ups and temperatures that soared past 105 degrees, Sheikh Mohammed and the folks behind Meydan Racecourse put on a show that I am certain no one in attendance will ever forget.
The facility in itself looked tremendous, which we had doubts would be the case when we were there for the draw on Wednesday because of the construction-site feel it had throughout.
Everyone from the elevator operators to security to the folks that were there to cater to us in the press box were so friendly and helpful that you wanted to tip every single one of them.
The Tapeta and turf tracks looked great and appeared to be safe and fair to all runners. One horse was injured but I was told it was minor and that he would be OK.
But the highlights of the evening (for Meydan anyway; I'll deal with the racing and the nail-biting finish in the World Cup later) had to be Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum's official opening ceremony for the facility between the Sheema Classic and the World Cup and the Elton John/Carlos Santana concert that followed and lasted into the wee hours of the morning.
I will not try to describe the ceremony other than to say it was on par with anything that has ever been done to open or close the Olympic Games.
If you saw it on HRTV or at a simulcast facility, you know what I'm talking about. Mind-boggling does not even begin to put into words the sheer size and spectacle of the 30-minute celebration.
If you did not see it, I suggest you go to http://www.photosbyz.com/ to check out what she has posted from the event because the images will blow you away. Perhaps someone will upload something to YouTube at some point as well.
As far as the concert goes, both of those performers still have "it."
Elton John may look just like my grandmother (shiver), but the man can still sing and his hit songs still never fail to make you feel like you are about 20 years younger. Name his hits, he played them.
Rocket Man; check. Benny and the Jets; check. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road; check. Your Song; check. Tiny Dancer; check. (Am I the only one that cannot hear that song without immediately flashing to the bus scene from Almost Famous?) Daniel; check. Crocodile Rock; check.
Carlos Santana was phenominal. Old classics like Black Magic Woman, Oye Como Va, and Evil Ways had that patented Santana sound yet sounded as fresh and powerful today as they did on 70s rock radio. More contemporary hits such as "Smooth" and "Into the Night" ripped with such a passion it was easy to forget that this guy played at Woodstock!
Overall, Sheikh Mohammed's dream for the future of racing in Dubai, Meydan Racecourse, now is not only a reality but, when it is totally finished and every wall is painted and every floor tile is secured, will be a spot where memories, and history, are sure to be made for years to come.
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"phenominal" - c'mon man, if you really can't spell, at least go spellcheck - and as far as kissing Sheik Mo's you know what, well done - maybe he'll invite you back..... after he's done killing a bunch more foreign workers and screwing with the world's economy.......
ReplyDeleteFunny to read in that every major journalist in attendance that I spoke to said what many had echoed consistently in the past. On the surface they try---- they do pay for the media airline tickets and hotel-always a dangerous and historically forbidden gesture----yet assistance in coverage is minimal if at all. Also AT EVERY TURN --and those watching the World Feed can attest--- it was only about what people (winners etc) had to say about "the great Meydan". How do you spell infomercial?
ReplyDeleteAs Thoroughbred Times News Editor I can assure "Anonymous" (and anyone else reading) that Thoroughbred Times does not accept any stipend, honorarium, etc. for sending a reporter to cover news events, including the Dubai World Cup. We bear all expenses.
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