٢٢ ديسمبر ٢٠٢١
Final UAE meeting of 2021 at Jebel Ali on Friday
The final UAE race meeting of 2021, at Jebel Ali on Friday afternoon, is highlighted by a fascinating 1600m rated conditions stakes which has attracted a field of eight, including local hope Shamikh.
Owned by racecourse patron Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and trained at the adjacent Jebel Ali Stables by Nicholas Bachalard, the 4yo Lea gelding made a winning racecourse debut last November over 1400m.
He won twice more last season, again over 1400m and then 1600m before signing off with a disappointing run in the Jebel Ali Classic, back over 1400m.
His seasonal and turf debut was an excellent second in a 1600m rated conditions stakes at Abu Dhabi before somewhat disappointing in the Listed National Day Cup over the same course and distance in the capital.
Bachalard said: “We were very pleased with the first Abu Dhabi run but the National Day Cup was a bit disappointing.
“We had him entered at Meydan also this week but chose this race because we know he handles the surface well and it is always nice to have a good chance in the big race at Sheikh Ahmed’s track.”
For Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Royston Ffrench partners Tenbury Wells for Salem bin Ghadayer and connections will be hoping the return to Jebel Ali will suit the 4yo Medaglia d’Oro gelding.
His local and dirt debut, in a 1600m Jebel Ali handicap, was an excellent second, beaten just a neck, by the very useful Remorse. He then disappointed somewhat in a 1600m Meydan handicap when well beaten in sixth.
Bin Ghadayer said: “His first run at Jebel Ali was very good so we know he handles the conditions. The Meydan run was not so good obviously but he is in good form at home and think he will run well.”
Also for the same owner and trainer, Xavier Ziani is aboard Down On Da Bayou, the 2020 UAE Oaks heroine but without a victory since that Classic success when she won by almost 19 lengths.
Bin Ghadayer added: “She too is working well and seems to handle Jebel Ali. This is her third run of the season so, hopefully, she is spot on fitness wise.”
On official ratings, Boynton would appear to hold serious claims and a repeat of the level of form he showed beating the very useful Kimbear (who runs in Thursday’s Meydan feature), over 1600m in a Dubai World Cup Carnival handicap for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby in February 2018 would see him go very close.
However, he only ran once more that season and was then not seen again for 1054 days before making his debut for Ismail Mohammed. Two Meydan 1600m outings last season left the jury out as to how much ability he retains.
Apprentice Gary Sanchez claims a valuable 2.5 kgs and, if fit after a further 309 days off the track, he could be the fly in the ointment.
Bhupat Seemar is another utilising an apprentice, Sean Kirrane able to ease Karaginsky’s burden by 1.5 kgs. A 6yo Dubawi gelding, all three his career victories have been here at Jebel Ali, twice over 1400m and a maiden success over this 1600m in February 2019.
From a Doug Watson duo, Pat Dobbs opts to partner Celtic Striker with Sam Hitchcott aboard stable companion Lost Eden, making his local and dirt debuts.
Neither can safely be discounted in what looks a wide open contest.
The main support race is a 1400m rated conditions stakes restricted to 3yos with eight set to face the starter including Al Murqab for Watson and Dobbs.
He would appear to hold one of the main chances along with No Limits for Seemar and Kirrane with Rashed Bourely’s Hawa Bilady, the mount of Richard Mullen, another to consider.
Owned by racecourse patron Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and trained at the adjacent Jebel Ali Stables by Nicholas Bachalard, the 4yo Lea gelding made a winning racecourse debut last November over 1400m.
He won twice more last season, again over 1400m and then 1600m before signing off with a disappointing run in the Jebel Ali Classic, back over 1400m.
His seasonal and turf debut was an excellent second in a 1600m rated conditions stakes at Abu Dhabi before somewhat disappointing in the Listed National Day Cup over the same course and distance in the capital.
Bachalard said: “We were very pleased with the first Abu Dhabi run but the National Day Cup was a bit disappointing.
“We had him entered at Meydan also this week but chose this race because we know he handles the surface well and it is always nice to have a good chance in the big race at Sheikh Ahmed’s track.”
For Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, Royston Ffrench partners Tenbury Wells for Salem bin Ghadayer and connections will be hoping the return to Jebel Ali will suit the 4yo Medaglia d’Oro gelding.
His local and dirt debut, in a 1600m Jebel Ali handicap, was an excellent second, beaten just a neck, by the very useful Remorse. He then disappointed somewhat in a 1600m Meydan handicap when well beaten in sixth.
Bin Ghadayer said: “His first run at Jebel Ali was very good so we know he handles the conditions. The Meydan run was not so good obviously but he is in good form at home and think he will run well.”
Also for the same owner and trainer, Xavier Ziani is aboard Down On Da Bayou, the 2020 UAE Oaks heroine but without a victory since that Classic success when she won by almost 19 lengths.
Bin Ghadayer added: “She too is working well and seems to handle Jebel Ali. This is her third run of the season so, hopefully, she is spot on fitness wise.”
On official ratings, Boynton would appear to hold serious claims and a repeat of the level of form he showed beating the very useful Kimbear (who runs in Thursday’s Meydan feature), over 1600m in a Dubai World Cup Carnival handicap for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby in February 2018 would see him go very close.
However, he only ran once more that season and was then not seen again for 1054 days before making his debut for Ismail Mohammed. Two Meydan 1600m outings last season left the jury out as to how much ability he retains.
Apprentice Gary Sanchez claims a valuable 2.5 kgs and, if fit after a further 309 days off the track, he could be the fly in the ointment.
Bhupat Seemar is another utilising an apprentice, Sean Kirrane able to ease Karaginsky’s burden by 1.5 kgs. A 6yo Dubawi gelding, all three his career victories have been here at Jebel Ali, twice over 1400m and a maiden success over this 1600m in February 2019.
From a Doug Watson duo, Pat Dobbs opts to partner Celtic Striker with Sam Hitchcott aboard stable companion Lost Eden, making his local and dirt debuts.
Neither can safely be discounted in what looks a wide open contest.
The main support race is a 1400m rated conditions stakes restricted to 3yos with eight set to face the starter including Al Murqab for Watson and Dobbs.
He would appear to hold one of the main chances along with No Limits for Seemar and Kirrane with Rashed Bourely’s Hawa Bilady, the mount of Richard Mullen, another to consider.