Carnival clues guaranteed at Meydan with Need to Know fancied

Peter Ward 07:15 19/11/2015
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  • Returning: One Man Band (right).

    A hectic local weekend of racing kicks off at Meydan this evening with a meeting certain to throw up a few pointers for the 2016 Carnival.

    Two quality handicaps share top billing and Ali Rashid Al Raihe will be hoping Need To Know and Tadhg O’Shea can go one place better than they managed at Jebel Ali last Friday.

    Seeking a first Meydan victory, they concede weight to six rivals in a 1600m handicap and should certainly go close.

    O’Shea said: “It was a very good run last week behind an impressive winner. He does have to give weight away but is in great form and we have to be hopeful.”

    Doug Watson saddles dual course and distance winner, One Man Band, the choice of stable jockey, Pat Dobbs, as well as UAE debutant Grand Argentier.

    Dobbs’ mount looked badly in need of the run when only ninth on his seasonal return two weeks ago, while Sam Hitchcott rides Grand Argentier, making his dirt debut.

    Watson said: “Grand Argentier has been working well on dirt at home and we think will handle it. One Man Band tired quickly at the first meeting and should be a lot straighter with the run behind him.”

    Last Fighter, last seen in action for Godolphin back in February 2013, makes his first start for Satish Seemar with stable jockey Richard Mullen on board.

    A course and distance winner on this card last year, in a weaker race, Muhtaram should go close for Musabah Al Muhairi after a pleas- ing comeback effort two weeks ago.

    Only six have been declared for the 1200m handicap when much of the focus will be on Al Muhairi’s Ajreem, one of three in the race owned by Sheikh Hamdan.

    Dane O’Neill, retained by the owner, takes the ride and will be hoping they can repeat their course and distance victory of two weeks ago.

    Again Seemar and Mullen supply an interesting contender, in this instance with Merhee, formerly trained by Mike de Kock.

    Yet to win in seven UAE outings or four dirt starts, he was a Group Two winner in South Africa in May 2013.

    The action then moves on to Al Ain on Friday for their first meeting of the new campaign and racego- ers can look forward to a seven race card. The feature, a 1600m Pure-bred Arabian handicap, has attract- ed a competitive field of eight with Ain Jaloot, having his first start for Tony Manuel, giving weight all round.

    Previously trained by Eric Lemartinel, now trainer at Al Asayl Stables, Manuel’s new charge enjoyed a prolific last campaign when winning on no less than six occasions.

    Should he fail to get home then Lemartinel, from his new post, could be the one to benefit and has live hopes with both Sheikh Down and Madjanthat. 

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