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The sprint in the season will quicken on Friday when Meydan hosts the Listed Al Garhoud Sprint with eight runners booked to travel the 1200m trip.
Trainer Doug Watson will aim to continue his success for the season following a win last week with a photo finish by San Donato in the Listed Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan National Day Cup.
He has a pair of runners in this listed class race including the oldest runner in the 7YO Canvassed who won the Group 3 Mahab Al Shimaal Sponsored by Emirates Skywards at Meydan in March last year.
The Shamardal-Painter’s Pride gelding returns to the races after a 276-day break and Watson will have him well-prepared for this one.
Watson’s key hope however will be the 6YO gelding Al Tariq (22: 5-4-1) who has two Group 3’s and a Listed win in his career so far.
Bhupat Seemar prepares two starters including the 4yo colt Freedom Fighter who has not won since breaking his maiden in August 2020 over the 1000m trip.
He did run a second by two lengths to another runner in this, Al Tariq, at the start of the year in the Group 3 Dubawi Stakes.
Mutaraffa will be looking to clock up a second Listed class race having won the Dubai Dash back in January, returning to the track 11 days after his last start.
In that run the Shadwell owned and Mussabeh Al Mheriri gelding finished second by two lengths in the Longines Master Collection Handicap after leading 600m out but passed 200 out from the finish.
One of the newest trainers to hit the region is Julio Olascoaga and his runner Upper Class is a handy type that can show dominance if given the opportunity.
Last start a month ago the gelding put close to eight lengths on the pack to win and has a Listed race to his name run in August 2020.
Former Australian-based trainer Michael Costa has one of the improving stars of his stable lining up here in Mouheeb with Jean Van Overmeire on board.
The 4YO colt won the Group 3 UAE 2000 Guineas at Meydan in February 2021 when trained by Nicholas Bachalard.
This will be the second start for the son of Flatter with Costa training following a win at their home track at Jebel Ali 38 days ago.
Jean Van Overmeire partnered in that win also when leading 300m out and rolled forward to win by a length on the back of a patient ride by the trusty hoop.
By Rowan Anderson