Big race action returns to the UAE on Sunday evening with the National Day Cup meeting at Abu Dhabi, where both Areem and Nawwaar will defend their crowns in the Purebred Arabian and Thoroughbred versions respectively.
Both races are over 1,600m with Areem, trained by Majed Al Jahouri, seeking a third consecutive victory in the Purebred Arabian version which carries Group One status.
Al Jahouri, who also saddles Thakif, a Group 3 winner already this season over course and distance, said: “Areem seems in great form and should run his usual big race and Thakif has already shown his wellbeing this season. We have two good chances.”
Silvestre De Sousa rides Areem with Qatar’s Champion Jockey Harry Bentley aboard Thakif.
Should the Al Jahouri pair fail to fire, Sahib Du Clos looks the most likely to benefit. Trained by Saifaldin Deeb, he will be ridden by Wayne Smith.
In the Thoroughbred equivalent, a Listed contest, last year’s winner Nawwaar will bid to give his trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe a fourth consecutive win in the race. He will be ridden by Dane O’Neill, retained jockey for owner Sheikh Hamdan.
The owner and Al Raihe also have the 2012 winner, Derbaas, in the field.
Meanwhile, yesterday’s Sharjah meeting was highlighted by a 1,700m handicap, won by Barnaamaj and ridden by Dane O’Neill in the colours of his main employer, Sheikh Hamdan.
Racing opened with a 1,200m maiden won by Ahmadani, ridden by Pat Dobbs for Helal Al Alawi.
The following handicap, over the same course and distance, went to the Jaber Bittar-trained Ouasima, produced to lead close home by Jesus Rosales.
The Musabah Al Muhairi-trained Tagseed won the only Thoroughbred race, a 1,200m handicap, with George Buckell in the saddle.
She may only have a handful of horses to train but Elise Jeanne made it three winners from 11 runners this season when MH Samurai and Jose Santiago led right on the line in a 2,000m maiden.
