The first track to race for a third time in this new campaign, Jebel Ali are to stage six races, highlighted by a 1600m handicap in which the weights are headed by Bochart, to be saddled by Bhupat Seemar for Al Bait Mutawahed Team. A 9yo Dubawi gelding, he has been a great servant to the owners and Zabeel Stables, winning for them on nine occasions having arrived in the UAE a maiden after nine starts in Britain for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby.
Twice a winner at the 2020 Dubai World Cup Carnival, two of six Meydan victories, he has tasted Jebel Ali success on three occasions, most recently over this 1600m in March. This is his seasonal reappearance with history suggesting he will improve for the outing. No recent outing is not an issue for Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed’s Down On Da Bayou, trained by Salem bin Ghadayer and with the benefit of an appearance already this season.
That was, on reflection, a disappointing one over 1600m at Meydan, the scene of her greatest triumph, over 1900m, in the 2020 Group 3 UAE Oaks, a fillies’ Classic she won by almost 19 lengths. She did not score another victory until December, Boxing Day, last year, the first of two victories during the season over this Jebel Ali 1600m course and distance.
Naser Askar’s Syrtis was a pleasing third under these conditions on his return a fortnight ago when a lack of race fitness appeared to cost him late on. That was a better quality contest than this and trainer Ahmed Al Shemaili should have him sharper now. For Al Rashid Stables, Doug Watson saddles Anbar, the mount of Pat Dobbs.
At the foot of the weights, Rashed Bouresly’s Aridity should be at least competitive receiving weight all round. Approaching the veteran stage of his career, the 9yo gelding by Teofilo has run, admittedly modestly, at both previous Jebel Ali meetings this season but was runner-up behind Down On Da Bayou at the end of January.
Four of his five victories have been registered on this course, twice over 1800m and one success apiece over both 1400m and this 1600m. He is joined in the field by stable companion Shanty Star, not to be confused with his namesake who won a handicap for Bouresly at Nad Al Sheba in late February 2006.
Like his predecessor a grey, the current Shanty Star is a 6yo entire son of Hard Spun, only ever raced in the UAE and by Bouresly, with three victories to his name, all at Meydan, including two successes in the early part of this year. He has placed form at Jebel Ali and has picked up a cheque on all bar one of his five visits, well beaten on that occasion, his return to action this season over 1200m at the end of October.
Representing racecourse patron Sheikh Ahmed, Michael Costa, who trains at Jebel Ali Stables adjacent to the racecourse, entered Mersaal in both the feature and a similar race over 1400m, Watson’s McManaman among the others afforded both options. The latter runs in the shorter option but Costa has gone for the more valuable prize.
The 4yo Ghostzapper gelding is already assured of a place in the annals of local racing history having provided his owner a 500th UAE winner. That was a fortnight ago on his belated debut over 1200m but he was staying on powerfully so stamina appears unlikely to be an issue.
SELECTIONS
Race 1: Carpe Momentum (Nap)
Race 2: Almoreb
Race 3: Quality Humor
Race 4: Mersaal (NB)
Race 5: Tolmount
Race 6: New Trails
