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| Rowan Anderson |
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The Listed Entisar Stakes will be the highlight of Meydan races on Friday and give a glimpse of what is to come in the Dubai World Cup.
First run in 2014, the Entisar Stakes [Presented by Ministry of Economy] is run over the same 2000 metres as the $12 million Dubai World Cup and this year’s edition features some past contenders of the feature DWC.
The field also sees four Grade 1 winners including defending champion For The Top for trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri.
Uruguay based trainer Julio Olascoaga has arrived to show he has the stable to compete in the Carnival and in this listed race he has the two six-year-olds Ajuste Fiscal and Atletico El Culano.
“It’s great to have Atletico El Culano here,” said Olascoaga.
“His owner wanted to test him against the best in the world in Dubai and we were super happy with his first run, when he ran against some good horses over a mile, which is too short for him.”
Atletico El Culano will be ridden by stable jockey Jose da Silva, with Dubai World Cup-winning rider Fernando Jara coming in for the ride on Ajuste Fiscal, who impressed when winning over course and distance two weeks’ ago.
“He came out very well from his win 15 days ago and he looks like he’s improving every day,” added Olascoaga.
“That was why the team decided not to wait longer and run him now.”
Salem Bin Ghadayer runs Chilean-bred First Constitution who has joined him from the States, where he won a Listed race at Belmont Park.
Remorse carries the highest rating (113) with trainer Seemar and hoop Tadhg O’Shea teaming up once again.
The 5YO gelded son of Dubawi ran sixth in his last start being the Dubai World Cup under O’Shea in a handy run.
“Remorse kept on improving last year; at least 25lbs or something like that,” said Seemar.
“He won a conditions race at Jebel Ali and, although he didn’t win after that, he kept on knocking at the door in all the big ones, including a superb run in the World Cup.
“We’ll start him in The Entisar and go from there.”
His last win was in November last year in the Shadwell handicap winning by a neck with Tenbury Wells running second.
Seemar also preps the youngest of the entries, Bendoog, who continues to excite with James Doyle on board.
The 3YO colt won his seasonal debut over 1600 metres three weeks ago and Seemar is confident of his future prospects.
“I think we need to put some weights on him to stop him from growing!” Seemar said.
“He’s just a big, humungous horse. Ten furlongs with seasoned horses, we’ll find out where he is, but he’s matured mentally this season too and I don’t think much bothers him.”
Last years edition was won by For the Top with Remorse running second.
By Rowan Anderson.