The destiny of both the UAE jockeys’ and trainers’ titles will be decided over the next two days with next Saturday’s Dubai World Cup meeting not counting towards the statistics this year.
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The race for the trainers’ title is a two-horse contest with Musabah Al Muhairi’s 43 winners two more than the 41 of Doug Watson. As one would expect, both have plenty of runners at Al Ain today (Thursday) and Jebel Ali on Friday.
Richard Mullen (42) has been leading the jockeys’ championship for the majority of the season and has a three-win buffer over reigning champion Tadhg O’Shea (39).
Mathematically, Silvestre De Sousa (36) could produce a rousing end to his season should jockeys or trainers finish level on winners (in the event of a tie in the past, titles have been decided on ‘countback’ – taking into account the number of second place finishes).
Today’s seven-race card at Al Ain is highlighted by two versions of the Al Ain Mile, one for Thoroughbreds and a Purebred Arabian equivalent. The latter is the official feature, carrying a purse of Dh250,000 and has attracted a select field of five.
One shot of the full Dubai World Cup projected fields. pic.twitter.com/zUOBl2ppyG
— Pat Cummings (@DubaiRaceNight) March 18, 2015
Manade Athbah won over the same 1,600m course and distance last Friday and, assuming she is over those exertions, looks the one to beat this week.
Trained by Eric Lemartinel, she will again be ridden by Wayne Smith, who said: “She is a smart mare with plenty of ability, so we expected a big run from her last week.
“She had disappointed us in the first round of the Al Maktoum Challenge at Meydan but then ran well at Abu Dhabi and won here last week.”
The Al Asayl team won this last year with Callateral and Salem Al Ketbi saddles two this year with stable jockey O’Shea aboard RB Smokin Rich.
They were third, over course and distance, a fortnight ago when stable companion Najm Alemarat was the winner. The latter will again be ridden by Shane Karlsson with Alameer, who divided the Al Ketbi duo on that occasion, again in opposition.
Al Muhairi trains him for Sheikh Hamdan whose retained jockey Paul Hanagan takes the ride. Friday’s Jebel Ali card is highlighted by a conditions race over 1,800m for which 10 have been declared.
De Sousa rides Interpret, winner of last year’s 1,950m Jebel Ali Stakes and runner-up over Friday’s course and distance last time, for Al Muhairi. He chased home the Watson-trained Jutland on that occasion and the trainer looks to have two big chances in this with Shamaal Nibras (Pat Dobbs) and Jeeraan (Hanagan).
