Haatheq and Forjatt set for thrilling battle at Jebel Ali

Peter Ward 08:08 17/03/2016
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Headline act: Haatheq (r).

    Jebel Ali’s final meeting of the season on Friday afternoon may lack a Listed or Group race, but has attracted an array of course stars and specialists, including this year’s Jebel Ali Stakes winner Haatheq (1950m) and 2014 Jebel Ali Mile (1600m) hero Forjatt.

    Old rivals, they clash again but for the first time over the interim trip of 1800m and it looks a fascinating clash.

    Both would have been hoping for invitations to run in the Godolphin Mile on World Cup night next Saturday, a race in which Haatheq was fourth last year, Forjatt only tenth.

    When Forjatt won the Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile in 2014, Haatheq was third but has beaten his old adversary at Jebel Ali, over 1600m in December 2012.

    Dhruba Selvaratnam trains Forjatt at Jebel Ali and said: “Our horse is fit and well. He is trying the trip for a first time at Jebel Ali but we think he will stay. Haatheq will be hard to beat though.”

    Haatheq is trained by Ali Rashid Al Raihe, who said: “He is a great horse to have in the yard and a big favourite of everybody.

    “He always runs well and must have a good chance.”

    The main duo face just four rivals with Mizbah, trained by Doug Watson, looking the main opposition in one of three quality conditions events on the card.

    In the 1400m one, trainer Musabah Al Muhairi would appear to hold all the aces with both Shaishee and Art Wave seeking further course and distance success.

    Fernando Jara, with four such victories already to his name is the mount of Art Wave and said: “He loves it at Jebel Ali and will appreciate the return to this trip after running well over shorter.”

    Paul Hanagan rides Shaishee, a Group Three winner on Super Saturday at Meydan last year and victorious at Jebel Ali over 1400m in January 2014.

    Again, Watson appears to provide the main danger, this time with Shamaal Nibras.

    The final race of the Jebel Ali season is a 1200m dash and it could well revolve around Selvartnam’s United Color, Watson’s The Taj and a pair for Al Muhairi in Sahaafy and Mubtaghaa.

    The last three named are all owned by Sheikh Hamdan.

    Recommended