East Asia looking for more giant-killing at Dubai World Cup for trainer Ian Williams

Trainer Ian Williams - here with Magic Circle - is hoping that East Asia, once again, punches above his weight at the Dubai Gold Cup sponsored by Al-Tayer Motors. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 25 March 2022
Follow

East Asia looking for more giant-killing at Dubai World Cup for trainer Ian Williams

  • The seven-year-old will take part in the $1m Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan Racecourse on Saturday

If seven-year-old East Asia comes first in the $1m Dubai Gold Cup on Saturday, it will be one of the biggest upsets of the 2022 Dubai World Cup. Indeed, of any Dubai World Cup.

As his British trainer Ian Williams puts it, it would be like a Championship team winning the UEFA Champions League.

“It’s quite an interesting story because East Asia was trained in Dubai, and he was transferred to us by his Dubai-based owner Sayed Hashish. He was a six-year-old maiden rated 70. A 70-rated maiden is a horse that has never won a race and is not particularly highly regarded.”

Williams had a major task on his hands to improve East Asia, but made progress, after a difficult start.

“He came over to the UK in March last year and settled in very slowly,” said Williams. “We had to use the paddocks and get him some grass because he didn’t travel the best.”

“But he kicked off with a win first time at Newbury, which was great,” he said. “He then went on and won a couple of times at Goodwood. His handicap was slowly rising, and after a couple of also-rans, he got back on track at Nottingham in October, and he was put up to the threshold of 90, which qualified him for the Carnival. Which had always been the dream, if you like, with him coming over to the UK. So at that stage he was invited to run in the Carnival and travelled back to Dubai.”

On his return to the UAE at the end of December, however, East Asia suffered very badly with travel sickness.

“He missed his first engagement because he’s been terribly ill,” said Williams. “Megg [Burton], one of our team members, did a great job of getting him back. He finished second in the Meydan Group 3. And that got him ultimately an invite to run on World Cup night. So he’s now rated 102, which is some 32 pounds of improvement in the last 12 months for a horse that’s seven years old.”

Despite that tough end to the year, recent preparations in Dubai have gone more smoothly.

“He’s in good shape at the moment,” said Williams. “And we’re comfortable going into a race that is like a championship football team playing in a UEFA cup final, really. So he’s trying to do some more giant-killing.”

Williams is clearly doing something right, as he is the only British trainer to have trained a winner at every racecourse in the UK – flat and jumps.

A combination of Williams’ training methods and a stint at Dominion Racing Stables has unlocked East Asia’s potential. Even by the high standards of Britain’s world class training facilities, Williams’ West Midlands base is something to behold, with more than 100 stables completed to the very highest specifications, private grass and all-weather gallops and an international sized indoor arena.

“Ian’s record speaks for itself,” said Minty Farquhar, who is in the UAE for the Dubai World Cup as General Manager of Great British Racing International, the organisation dedicated to helping international parties navigate the UK’s racing industry.

“His handling of East Asia has been exemplary, and the horse has clearly relished his new surroundings,” she said. “There is a reason why one in three turf horses rated above 120 in the world in 2021 were trained in Britain – the landscape and training facilities are second to none for the development of thoroughbreds and there is real strength in depth in terms of trainer talent. We are thrilled that his owner, Sayed Hashish, has discovered this through entrusting East Asia to Ian, and we wish the team the best of luck on Saturday.”

Williams has fond memories of a winner at Meydan.

“We’ve been very lucky to have a winner in the Carnival at the Al-Quoz Sprint, five or six years ago,” he said. “And that was a fantastic evening. It’s the one night when Meydan comes alive and it’s full of full of passion, it’s full of fun. It’s more resemblant of a meeting in Europe, then it can ever be on any other evening.”

On Saturday, Williams is hoping that East Asia, once again, punches above his weight at the Dubai Gold Cup sponsored by Al-Tayer Motors.

“We’re really looking forward to taking our chance,” Williams said. “Our expectations probably aren’t high but this little horse keeps achieving certainly more than I expect him to. And his run last time was exceptional. If he can run to that sort of level again, I’m sure he’ll be in the first half as opposed to the second half.”


Pakistan begins voting for PSL Fans’ Choice Awards

Updated 10 sec ago
Follow

Pakistan begins voting for PSL Fans’ Choice Awards

  • Voting for six categories will take place on PSL official YouTube Channel at 6pm every day till January 10
  • PSL Players’ Draft is scheduled for Jan. 11, while the 2025 edition will be held between April 8 and May 19

ISLAMABAD: The voting process for the much-awaited Pakistan Super League (PSL) Fans’ Choice Awards began on Sunday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said, with voting for the best batter taking place on PSL’s official YouTube channel from 6pm Pakistan time.
PSL is set to welcome its landmark 10th edition later this year. The Fans’ Choice Awards mark the celebration of some of the star players who have entertained fans and contributed toward the popularity of the Twenty20 league worldwide.
The nominees for the best batter of the HBL PSL included the top-three leading run-getters across the nine seasons — Babar Azam (3,504 runs), Fakhar Zaman (2,525 runs) and Mohammad Rizwan (2,403 runs).
“The voting for the six categories will take place on the official YouTube channel of the HBL PSL till Friday, 10 January and the winners of the Fans’ Choice Awards will be announced on Saturday, 11 January at the Players’ Draft ceremony,” the PCB said in a statement.
A total of six lucky fans, who would cast their votes on the PSL YouTube channel between Jan. 5 and Jan. 10, will also become eligible to win 2025 edition tickets through a lucky draw.
The six categories for the awards include, best batter, best bowler, best all-rounder, most valuable players, best individual performance, and the PSL icon.
Nominees will be revealed on the PSL official social media handles at the start of voting every day till Jan. 10.


History maker Maphaka removes Babar as Pakistan battle at Newlands

Updated 05 January 2025
Follow

History maker Maphaka removes Babar as Pakistan battle at Newlands

  • Pakistan reach 155-7 at lunch trailing by 460 runs
  • Pakistan are a batter short after Saim Ayub’s injury

CAPE TOWN: South Africa’s youngest test debutant Kwena Maphaka took the key wicket of Babar Azam as Pakistan reached 155 for an effective seven wickets at lunch on day three of the second and final test at Newlands on Sunday, trailing their hosts by 460 runs.

Fast bowler Maphaka, 18, induced an edge down the leg side from Babar, who was caught by wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne having looked in control with a well-played 58.

Aamer Jamal will resume after the interval on five along with Khurram Shahzad, who has yet to score, as Pakistan seek to reduce their first innings deficit on a wicket that is still good for batting, but likely to deteriorate on days four and five.

Pakistan are a batter short after opener Saim Ayub fractured his ankle while fielding on the opening day and will take no further part in the game.

Maphaka (1-43) set off on a wild celebration when he captured the prized scalp of Babar, his first test wicket having taken over from former spinner Paul Adams as South Africa’s youngest test player.

Mohammad Rizwan made 46 before he inexplicably charged down the wicket at seamer Wiaan Mulder and was the second wicket to fall in the session with a wild swipe that resulted in him playing the ball onto his own stumps.

Salman Agha made 19 but was the third man out, stumped by Verreynne off the bowling of spinner Keshav Maharaj.

The home side posted a massive 615 in their first innings thanks to centuries from Ryan Rickelton (259), Temba Bavuma (106) and Verreynne (100).

South Africa have already claimed their place in June’s World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s from June 11-15, and are looking to win this series 2-0 after claiming a tense first test by two wickets in Pretoria.


Pakistan to fly injured Ayub to London for treatment as Champions Trophy looms

Updated 05 January 2025
Follow

Pakistan to fly injured Ayub to London for treatment as Champions Trophy looms

  • Saim Ayub has been ruled out of cricket for six weeks after he sustained ankle injury on Friday 
  • Pakistan are scheduled to play Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand on Feb. 19

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has decided to send injured left-handed opening batter Saim Ayub to London for immediate medical treatment, the board said on Sunday, with the important Champions Trophy tournament just weeks away. 

Ayub has been ruled out of competitive cricket for up to six weeks due to a right ankle fracture that he sustained while fielding against South Africa at Newlands on Friday.

Ayub, one of Pakistan’s in-form batters who has performed well in white-ball matches against Australia and South Africa in recent weeks, is in danger of missing Pakistan’s Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand at Karachi on Feb. 19.

“Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi has decided to send Saim Ayub to London for immediate treatment and the decision was made after consulting the doctors,” the board said in a statement. 

The PCB said that Ayub, who was supposed to return to Pakistan with the squad, will now head to England. It said Naqvi spoke to Ayub over the phone and inquired about his well-being. 

Naqvi said the Pakistani batter will be checked by sports ortho specialist doctors in England, adding that an immediate appointment has been made by the PCB. 

“The medical team is looking into the entire case and Dr. Mumraiz has shared Saim’s medical reports with specialists in England,” Naqvi said. 

He described Ayub as a “brilliant stylish batsman and asset of Pakistan cricket.”

“Saim’s treatment will be done in the best hospital in the world and in this regard all resources will be used for his treatment,” Naqvi said. “We hope that the left-handed batter will make a full recovery before the ICC Champions Trophy.”

Saim will travel to London from Cape Town on the first available flight, with assistant coach Azhar Mahmood accompanying him.


Pistons top Timberwolves despite Edwards’s 53 points

Updated 05 January 2025
Follow

Pistons top Timberwolves despite Edwards’s 53 points

  • In San Antonio, Nikola Jokic scored 46 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for the Denver Nuggets to beat the Spurs
  • The Golden State Warriors shook off the absence of superstar Stephen Curry to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 121-113

LOS ANGELES, United States: Cade Cunningham scored 40 points to lead the Detroit Pistons, who withstood a career-high 53 points by Anthony Edwards to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 119-105 on Saturday.
Edwards, who had voiced frustration after averaging just 16.3 points over the last three games in the face of strong double team defense, found plenty of ways to score.
He connected on 16 of his 31 shots from the field, including 10 of 15 from three-point range, and made 11 of his 12 free-throw attempts.
But he had little scoring support and the Timberwolves trailed virtually all the way against a Pistons team powered by Cunningham, who notched his season high in points and added six rebounds and nine assists.
Unlike Edwards, Cunningham had plenty of support. Malik Beasley added 23 points off the bench for the Pistons, Tobias Harris scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds and Ausar Thompson finished with 10 points, 10 rebounds and six steals.
In San Antonio, Nikola Jokic scored 46 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for the Denver Nuggets, who spoiled Victor Wembanyama’s 21st birthday with a 122-111 overtime victory over the Spurs.
Wembanyama scored 20 points and grabbed 23 rebounds with three assists and four blocked shots.
But the French star — whose late-game heroics sealed the Spurs’ win over the Nuggets in Denver on Friday — was scoreless in overtime.
Harrison Barnes scored 22 points for San Antonio and Devin Vassell added 19. Vassell tied it at 108-108 with a put-back basket with 14 seconds left in regulation.
Jokic missed a potential game-winner but dominated with nine points in the extra session, when the Nuggets out-scored the Spurs 14-3 to pull away.
The Serbian star, who claimed a third NBA Most Valuable Player award last season, added 10 assists, two steals and a pair of blocked shots.
In Brooklyn, Joel Embiid scored 28 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to power the Philadelphia 76ers in a 123-94 victory over the short-handed Nets.
Tyrese Maxey finished with 18 points while Paul George and Caleb Martin scored 17 apiece for the Sixers, who led by 64-47 at halftime.
The Portland Trail Blazers, led by 28 points from Anfernee Simons, snatched a 105-102 victory over the Bucks in Milwaukee.
Simons came through in the clutch, converting a three-point play with 23.5 seconds left to put the Trail Blazers up by one.
After former Blazer Damian Lillard turned the ball over Simons made a pair of free-throws with 5.4 to play to seal the win.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee with 31 points and 11 rebounds. Lillard scored 16 but missed a potential game-tying three-pointer in the final second.
The Golden State Warriors, fueled by 24 points from Andrew Wiggins and 17 from Dennis Schroder, shook off the absence of superstar Stephen Curry to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 121-113.
With Curry resting because of knee tendinitis, the Warriors saw Jonathan Kuminga depart with a sprained right ankle late in the first half.
The close game got testy late, with Golden State star Draymond Green assessed a flagrant foul and a technical foul in the fourth quarter.
In Chicago, Coby White made nine three-pointers on the way to 33 points and Nikola Vucevic added 22 points and 12 rebounds for the Bulls in a 139-126 victory over the New York Knicks.
Karl-Anthony Towns scored 44 points and grabbed 16 rebounds and Jalen Brunson added 33 for the Knicks, but New York dropped their second straight a day after the Oklahoma City Thunder halted their nine-game winning streak.
It was an emotional night for the Bulls, who honored Derrick Rose at halftime — three months after the former NBA MVP and Bulls star announced his retirement.


Naomi Osaka retires injured from Auckland Classic final

Updated 05 January 2025
Follow

Naomi Osaka retires injured from Auckland Classic final

  • Four-time Grand Slam champion called for the physio after taking the opening set 6-4
  • Osaka did not divulge details of what forced her withdrawal in a short courtside interview

AUCKLAND: Naomi Osaka retired from the final of the Auckland Classic with an abdominal injury Sunday, a blow to the Japanese star just a week before the start of the Australian Open.
Playing in her first WTA final for three years, against Denmark’s Clara Tauson, the four-time Grand Slam champion called for the physio after taking the opening set 6-4 and pulled out shortly afterwards.
Osaka’s sudden withdrawal came as a shock after playing with no apparent problem in the 35-minute opening set, unleashing some powerful groundstrokes to break her opponent in the third and fifth games.
At the changeover, the 27-year-old stood and performed a series of stretches during a medical timeout.
After consulting with the trainer she shook the hand of Tauson, who picked up a third career title and her first since 2021.
Osaka didn’t divulge details of what forced her withdrawal in a short courtside interview.
However, in a statement, the WTA said she retired “due to an abdominal injury.”
“I just want to thank everyone for welcoming me to such a beautiful city and I had a lot of fun playing here and I’m really sorry about how it ended,” Osaka said.
“I hope you did enjoy the tennis that we did play and I’m just really grateful to be here.”
It was an anti-climactic finish to the week for Osaka, who was chasing her first title since winning the 2021 Australian Open.
Her most recent final appearance was at the Miami Open the following year, before taking a 15-month break and giving birth to her first child midway through 2023.
She returned to tennis 12 months ago and has climbed to 57th in the world rankings.