Trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe was in tremendous form on the opening night of the Carnival at Meydan on Thursday, saddling the winner of each of the four Thoroughbred races in which he was represented.
There is one Thoroughbred contest at Al Ain Saturday, an 1800m handicap, and Al Raihe saddles both Mutual Force and Qannaas.
Stable jockey, Tadhg O’Shea, who rode three of the Al Raihe winners on Thursday, is aboard Mutual Force with Paul Hanagan riding Qannaas, owned by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
O’Shea said: “I think both have a chance in a wide open looking contest. Mutual Force rarely runs a bad race and 1800m is a trip he stays well.
“It is a new trip for Qannaas but he should stay and he looks a big danger to all.”
Hanagan’s mount started his season with a second place at Jebel Ali in a 1400m handicap won very easily by Lanadam. Well beaten on his next two starts, he bounced back to form last time with a close second, over 1600m at Al Ain.
Chris Hayes rides and said: “He was very impressive the first day but a bit disappointing afterwards, before a big run last time.
I28th attempt but Lake Hawk finally wins! Proof that Ali Rashid Al Raihe could win with anything at moment. Well done to Manuel Fernandes.
— Laura King (@LauraKingDXB) January 8, 2016“The 1800m is a new trip for him but he should stay and, hopefully, can run a big race.”
Trained by Ismail Mohammed, Quintilian has improved with each start this season and, on his fourth outing of the campaign, looks a big threat under Wayne Smith.
Smith said: “He ran well last time at Jebel Ali and a repeat of that effort would see him go close here.”
Doug Watson and Pat Dobbs combined to win with One Man Band at the Carnival on Thursday and are represented here by Lockhart.
He has shown little in five starts for the yard, four locally and one in China, but consequently has been given a chance by the handicapper.
The best of the Purebred Arabian action is a 2000m handicap and, as you would perhaps expect, master of Al Asayl Stables, Eric Lemartinel, appears to hold the key.
He saddles two for Sheikh Khalifa with O’Shea choosing to ride Madjanthat with Gerald Avranche aboard stable companion Najm Alemarat.
