The 1600m Listed first round of the Arabian Triple Crown is the highlight at Abu Dhabi this evening with a maximum field of 14 in the running.
The numbers involved suggest a more competitive race than will prove the case with half the field appearing out of their depth.
As is so often the case in this type of race, Al Asayl Stables appear to hold leading claims. Their trainer, Eric Lemartinel, saddles three with Al Dheeb, winner of his only previous start, a 1600m maiden on the Al Ain dirt, arguably their main hope.
– Godolphin: Stable to merge with bloodstock
– Jara: Makeshift jockey takes win in Abu Dhabi
– Godolphin: Stats reveal stellar year for stable
Ridden by Gerald Avranche, as he will be again, he was impressive on that occasion and could be the one to beat.
Avranche said: “He won well first time. This is a stronger race but he should have improved for that experience and we hope he can build on it.”
Tadhg O’Shea rides stable companion Cloe De Faust, another to make an impressive winning debut at Al Ain but was subsequently well beaten over the Abu Dhabi 1600m course.
O’Shea said: “She is a decent filly and better than she was able to show last time when things did not really go to plan. Hopefully she can bounce back to form.”
Her defeat, two weeks ago, was in the Listed Abu Dhabi Championship, also over 1600m and won by RV Moulins Monarch. Trained by Hassan Al Hammadi, he was making a winning local debut, having won one of his two starts in his native USA. He impressed his jockey, Fernando Jara, on that occasion.
Jara said: “He did it nicely two weeks ago. He now has a penalty but, hopefully, he has more to offer and can at least go close.”
Watch our interview with prominent @EE_RC syndicate member Peter Gaskin: https://t.co/PkOYckKpRo
— Dubai Racing Channel (@DubaiRacingTV) January 3, 2016
Oraib, one of three in the race to be saddled by Helal Al Alawi, made a winning start to her career in the Abu Dhabi Fillies’ Classic, on the same card as RV Moulins Monarch won the Abu Dhabi Championship. George Buckell rode her then and reprises the partnership.
He said: “It was a very good debut and she should improve for the experience. This is clearly a better race but she should be involved at the business end.”
Local debutant, Cheik Roque, now trained by Erwan Charpy and the mount of David Probert, is another to consider.
The only Thoroughbred race is a 1600m handicap and, again, a full field of 14 are set to face the starter. It features a clash between Amaan and Hacienda, first and second in a 1600m handicap at Jebel Ali on the first day of the season. Both have struggled since but the return to turf should suit them.
The Charpy-trained Amaan is respected under Paul Hanagan but preference is for Hacienda; his last turf start was a winning one, in China last April and his trainer, Doug Watson, celebrated a New Years Day double at Meydan. His only runner on the card, Watson is overdue an Abu Dhabi winner having drawn a blank in the capital last season.
