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| Staff Writer |
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The upcoming penultimate fixture at Jebel Ali on Friday could be a deciding factor in this season's UAE Trainer's Championship. The seven-race program will feature two conditions events for three-year-old fillies, as well as colts and geldings.
The races, which will be held over 1400m, seem to favor trainer Michael Costa, who currently holds a four-win lead in the championship race. Bhupat Seemar and Musabbeh Al Mheiri are close behind, and the Australian trainer will need a strong performance to secure the title.
Lahfaty, Costa's talented filly, seems to have a good chance of winning the Al Nayefat Stakes (Sponsored by Tattersalls), while Turjman may be a strong contender in the male version, given his track experience. Lahfaty hasn't competed since finishing behind Manama Gold, who has since won the UAE Oaks. However, with fourth-placed Mizzyaan performing well in last week's fillies Classic, the defeat was quite respectable. Turjman faces tougher competition and will have to race against Bombay Bazaar and Military Artist.
Costa will be presenting three live chances in the Umm Suqeim Stakes (Sponsored by Shadwell) with Alzheem, Makfoul, and Wessall. All three horses have shown solid track form during the current campaign. Wessall, who has been off the track since December 30th, seems fresher than most and may be a strong contender. Makfoul and Alzheem have both been hit by the handicapper.
The racing event will start with a Purebred Arabian 0-85 handicap over 1800m, sponsored by the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Racing Festival. Untethered, who shed his maiden tag at Al Ain earlier this month, and veteran horse AF Al Baher, who landed his eighth career win, may be popular choices for the race.