Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Draw

Michael Roberts, the Rest of the World team manager for Saturday and the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup at Ascot (August 12), is eagerly looking forward to the worlds premier jockeys contest and his match against the opposing team captain, Jason Weaver, in the Ladbrokes Shergar Cup Duel beforehand.

Micheal Roberts was really pleased with the horses he got as in the second race he managed to get the two horses they wanted most. The last time the Shergar Cup was run, they thought it might be interesting in future to have a match between the two team managers especially at Ascot which Micheal Roberts now feelslooks to be one of the best, if not the best, track in the world. Micheal rides regularly and has been making sure that he gets on two each morning since the Ladbrokes Shergar Cup Duel was confirmed. He is expected to weigh in at around 9st on Saturday.
Roberts has just finished his first season (finished July 31) training in South Africa, gaining 30 winners.

Jason Weaver was out playing golf when he got the call from Ascot that they were going ahead with the match race.
At that time, he had not ridden for three and a half years.He committed himself to it and aimed to lose weight - going from was well over 12st 7lb down to 10st 10lb which he was very happy with. He has been riding out a couple of horses every morning for the past month and trying to conserve as much energy as possible for Saturday.

Jason Wearevr weighed in stripped at 10st 9lb in the Dettori household this morning after a spin on the treadmill.
He is over 2st heavier than when he was riding and I has found it that difficult to get some weight off.

Jason also believes it is an honour to ride at the new Ascot. There are five points up for grabs too the duel will set up the day. His sons has never seen him ride as a jockey and havent seen him ride out in the mornings so he is bringing them with him of Saturday.

Roberts has stated that Jason is fitter than he thought he would be - he has done well and may the best man win on Saturday. Weaver has lost a stone in weight during the last few weeks, getting down to 10st 10lb from 11st 10lb, ahead of his return to the saddle for the Ladbrokes Shergar Cup Duel. Ladbrokes, official bookmaker to the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, have generously donated £50 to the Injured Jockeys Fund for each pound Weaver has lost in that period, meaning a total payment of £700.

There is a 16lb difference in the ratings between the Pic Up Sticks (Weavers mount) and Whos Winning (Roberts mount) in the Ladbrokes Shergar Cup Duel.

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