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| Staff Writer |
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The Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival is just around the corner. However, before the big show takes place in the Capital on National Day weekend, there will be a seven-race card hosted by Al Ain on their third meeting of the season this Friday.
The upcoming ERA Awards Ceremony is set to recognize both current and upcoming talent in the industry. In terms of racing, the highlight of the meet will be a 0-100 rated handicap for the Purebred Arabians over 1800m. The field is expected to be highly competitive, with notable contenders including Maador, who has shown recent form, and SS Izz Dubai, who had a progressive campaign last season. Musabbeh Al Mheiri is also well represented with two runners, while Jazeelah and Smoke N Thunder have their own strengths and weaknesses to contend with.
In the lone Thoroughbred contest, a maiden over 2000m, the Salem bin Ghadayer pairing of Alwareeth and Flame Talon look strong, with the former having shown impressive form this season and the latter having course form from last year. The Michael Costa-duo of Thaayer and Makfoul also have potential, with the latter finishing ahead of his stablemate in their last race.
The 3YOs facing their older compatriots in this race will have an uphill task, but Oasis Moon trained by Al Mheiri is a contender to watch. Despite finishing last in his previous race, his performance in a 1900m maiden prior to that was impressive and he could make his presence felt in this meet.
Overall, there will be four other maidens over varying distances and a 1400m handicap all for the Purebred Arabians to complete the day's proceedings.