Abu Dhabi Race Day to set pulses racing

Peter Ward 11:00 22/12/2013
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Horsepower: The evening will see some exciting contests on the track.

    The 3yo generation are the centre of attention at Abu Dhabi this evening with a good crowd guaranteed to take advantage of the free admission, free raffle and the chance to win a big prize courtesy of the complimentary Pick Six competition at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

    And if you fancy making it a real evening out, why not pop along to Abu Dhabi City Golf Club and partake of their race night BBQ with full bar services (not available on the racecourse).

    Half of the six race card is dedicated to the juveniles, highlighted by the Listed Abu Dhabi Championship.

    A 1600m contest, it has attracted a field of nine and Champion Trainer Ernst Oertel appears to hold a particularly strong hand, saddling two runners, both making their UAE debuts.

    With stable jockey Tadhg O’Shea suspended, Adrie De Vries has picked up the plum ride on Nymphea Du Paon, winner of two of her three starts in her native France, including in Group 2 company.

    The trainer, who also saddles Burj Khalifa, said: “Nymphea Du Paon is a lovely filly and a great new recruit to the yard. She has been pleasing us at home and her European form is top notch.

    “She should run very well and Burj Khalifa is another nice new horse, well capable of winning a race at this level.”

    The meet opens with the Abu Dhabi Fillies’ Classic, again a 3yo contest over 1600m, and Oertel again appears to hold all the aces with his three runners, Afaal, Al Yawazi and Fatat Al Arab, all arriving here having won their most recent starts.

    Jockey bookings suggest that Fatat Al Arab is their main hope but Oertel said: “To be honest, it would be hard to split the three – thus they all take their chance. They are three nice fillies and should all run a big race.”

    The colts’ equivalent follows and, yet again, Oertel and De Vries combine with the most likely winner, in this case Molahen El Alhan, winner of both his career starts.

    Both those wins were achieved at Abu Dhabi, including his most recent success over today’s course and distance, and Oertel said: “He has done nothing wrong to date and must come here with a massive chance. We hope he is the one they all have to beat.”

    As always, there is a solitary Thoroughbred race, on this occasion a 2200m handicap, in which the Doug Watson-trained Henry Clay will attempt to build on last week’s Jebel Ali victory.

    So come down to the track to enjoy some excellent racing, and maybe win a prize, in great weather.

    What: Race day in Abu Dhabi.

    When: Today, from 17:00. Free entry

    Where: Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.

    Information: Log on to www.emiratesracing.com

    Recommended