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Jebel Ali set to host first meeting of the new racing season
Horse racing returns to the UAE this weekend, with meetings at Jebel Ali on Friday and Sharjah on Saturday.
Jebel Ali is certainly the main feature with a thoroughly intriguing six-race card, highlighted by an ultra competitive 1,000m handicap, in which Roicead, trained on the track by Dhruba Selvaratnam, has to concede weight to seven rivals after a 1,200m course win last March.
He will be ridden by Oisin Murphy, new stable jockey at Selvaratnam’s Jebel Ali Stables and set to be crowned UK Champion Apprentice this weekend (although he is now a professional).
Selvaratnam said: “Oisin is a very good young jockey and will hopefully be a big asset to the team.” Selvaratnam’s previous stable jockeys include Johnny Murtagh, Pat Smullen, James Doyle and William Buick, all names recognised worldwide.
The race is sponsored by Sheikh Hamdan’s Shadwell operation and his colours will be carried by four of the runners, with retained jockey Dane O’Neill electing to partner Fityaan for trainer Musabah Al Muhairi.
Twice runner-up in the Listed Jebel Ali Sprint, over the same course and distance, Al Muhairi’s charge is a rare winner but is certainly a proven runner over course and distance.
The same owner is also responsible for Mujaazef, trained by Ali Rashid Al Raihe and winner of this equivalent race in 2011. Six of his eight career wins have been achieved at Jebel Ali and he cannot be ruled out for a trainer certain to have his horses fit and raring to go.
Another course and distance specialist is Kilt Rock, trained by Doug Watson for the Emirates Entertainment Racing Club (EERC).
He has five Jebel Ali victories to his name but, like, Fityaan and Mujaazef, has found Roicead too good in the season just gone. EERC spokesman Justin Byrne said: “We think he is fit and raring to go. We have a big weight turnaround with Roicead, so hopefully we will get a lot closer.
“Kilt Rock, who is proven over course and distance, normally goes well fresh and seems in great form at home. We are expecting a big run from him.”
