 |
|
| Sumita Pawar |
 |
On the occasion of the UAE’s 52nd Union Day, Al Ain’s seven-race all-Purebred Arabian card is set to take place, featuring a newly introduced Listed race with a prize of AED200,000. This event will be the highlight of the day. In addition, this Friday marks the start of the annual HH Sheikh Mansoor bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival's first of two race meetings to be held in the Capital.
The Listed event over 1800m will see the return of Kerless Del Roc, who has a rating of 118 and was last seen finishing fifth in the Dubai Kahayla Classic. This event is considered his easiest assignment in nearly two years, and he is expected to perform well if he can maintain his level of form. Furthermore, he has won three out of five races at this course, including breaking the track record for this trip.
Despite his track record, his performance fresh is a concern as he has been unsuccessful in all three seasonal debut runs. Nonetheless, connections are hoping he can prove himself on Friday. The Abdallah Al Hammadi yard also has Oss, a consistent runner who finished second behind Deryan a month ago at this course. Ryan Curatolo will ride Oss, who is likely to perform well on the Al Ain dirt.
Al Mahbooba is bidding for her fourth consecutive victory under the care of Ibrahim Al Hadhrami in the Al Ain Marathon series. Last season, she achieved the rare treble of winning all three legs of the series. It would come as no surprise if she secured another victory.
Fawzi Nass, the Bahraini conditioner, is yet to open his account for the season, but RB Stryngs Attached is expected to change this in the opening contest over 2000m. Despite having an outright dirt pedigree, this will be his first run on the surface, having raced on the Abu Dhabi turf on all four career starts. He was declared for the Jewel Crown prep earlier in the season before being scratched, making him a hugely exciting prospect for the yard. Obaid, trained by Majed Al Jahoori, is the main competition, having last competed in a French Group One over 14 months ago. Although the long layoff is a concern, he comes from an in-form top yard.
The third race of the evening is a maiden contest over a mile, restricted to 3YOs. It is predicted that Magic Touch from Al Ajban Stables will win. Despite running extremely green throughout, he finished as the runner-up on debut. The benefit of that racecourse experience and the extra furlong could prove to be the key to Magic Touch's victory. Taahir and Tariq, debutants from YAS Racing, and the Omani-trained Kashmir also command respect.
The finale is a 1000m dash, in which last season's Al Ain Sprint winner Heros De Lagarde and runner-up Leena will have a rematch as they lock horns once again in their seasonal reappearances. RB Money Maker, a winner on UAE debut over course and distance, will also participate after failing to stay the 1400m in the Gr.2 Bani Yas at Meydan last week. Taj Al Izz will seek his fourth straight success in the mile handicap, while Jules Mobian and Naajeeb will aim for redemption in the 1400m maiden after narrowly missing out last time due to an equipment failure mid-race.