The featured 1000m handicap was won 12 months ago by subsequent Jebel Ali Sprint winner, Morawij and Sholaan would appear to have a good chance to emulate his stable companion.
Like Morawij, trained on the track by Dhruba Selvaratnam for racecourse patron Sheikh Ahmed, Sholaan has three Jebel Ali victories to his name, twice over 1000m and looks sure to go close under Chris Hayes.
Connections celebrated a double on this card last year, when Hayes was making his UAE debut in a season during which he harvested 20 winners.
Selvaratnam, who also saddles Gobooll, a first UAE mount for apprentice Adam McLean, said: “My horses tend to need their first run and improve from it; I think that will be the case again but both are fit and well.
“Gobooll is probably better over further but Sholaan has plenty of pace and both like the surface.”
Champion Trainer Doug Watson, saddles both course specialist Kilt Rock, a Jebel Ali winner five times, twice over 1000m, dating back almost five years, and Greeb.
Now a 9yo, Kilt Rock was second in this race last year under Pat Dobbs who retains the partnership.
Justin Byrne, representing the horse’s owners, EERC (Emirates Entertainment Racing Club), said: “As he gets older he has tended to need his first run but this is a good opportunity to get him back in action and he is in good form at home.”
British jockey Sam Hitchcott rides Greeb and is racing on dirt for the first time.
Champion Jockey Tadhg O’Shea rides Trinity Force for Ali Rashid Al Rayhi and said: “He is ready for a run and will be trying Jebel Ali for the first time. He is a nice horse who will improve for this run and probably over a bit further in time.”
Spin Cycle won the Jebel Ali Sprint back in 2011, over this 1000m course and distance but is overlooked on this occasion by
Richard Mullen who rides local debutant Midlander.
Both are trained by Satish Seemar with apprentice Cameron Noble, riding locally for the first time, aboard Spin Cycle.
Musabbeh Al Mheiri is also doubly represented, saddling both Rafeej and Mubtaghaa for Sheikh Hamdan (who also owns Greeb). Retained by the owner, Dane O’Neill would normally have first choice of his runners but he is required in England.
Al Mheiri’s stable jockey Fernando Jara partners Rafeej just behind Kilt Rock when third in this last year and perhaps Sheikh Hamdan’s best chance.
The action switches to Sharjah on Saturday where the concluding 2000m Purebred Arabian handicap is the most valuable event.
O’Shea rides Men Alemarat for Sheikh Khalifa and Eric Lemartinel, also represented by Snaffy, the mount of Gerald Avranche.
O’Shea said: “The yard look to have a strong hand and hopefully I am on the right one. He is proven at Sharjah whereas Snaffy is a young, unexposed type open to loads of improvement.”
