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Friday’s Al Ain card, seven races all for Purebred Arabians, was highlighted by the eighth running of the 1800m Al Ain Derby, a Prestige contest for 4yos foaled in the UAE and the unbeaten Fadwaan maintained his faultless record in style.

Saddled by Ahmed Al Mehairbi and partnered by Antonio Fresu, the colt has now won all four career starts, each time under the Italian jockey, twice over this course after a 1600m debut success, sandwiched between his other two victories, both at Prestige level, over 1400m and then 1600m, on the Abu Dhabi turf.

Over 1400m, the Group 2 Liwa Oasis was the Thursday highlight on the turf at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club and was won in gritty fashion by AF Alajaj, a fourth homebred winner on the card for Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda saddled by Ernst Oertel, all partnered by Tadhg O’Shea who was victorious in each of the first five races.

Carrying a penalty and thus conceding weight to all his 13 rivals, the 6yo entire was always travelling well before hitting the front inside the final 275m and digging deep to cling on for a hard fought success. He has now won half of his 14 career starts.

Over 1400m, the Group 2 Liwa Oasis is the Thursday highlight on the turf at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club with 14 due to face the starter, including the penalised AF Alajaj.

Trained by Ernst Oertel for Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda, the homebred 6yo entire is seeking a seventh career success, on his 14th start.

Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby’s first ever Jebel Ali runner, Sovereign Prince, was never able to land a blow in the Group 3 Jebel Ali Mile 15 days ago but the handler will be hoping for better luck with his second, Modern Dancer, on Sunday.

A homebred Kingman colt, he is set to face 10 rivals in the Future Champions Cup, a 1400m conditions race for 3yos and, if reproducing his turf form from Britain, is likely to hold serious claims under William Buick.

Meydan Racecourse hosts the eighth fixture of the 2023 Dubai World Cup Carnival on Friday evening, undoubtedly highlighted by the Group 2 Balanchine Stakes, a turf contest for fillies and mares over 1800m and a race in which Godolphin runners have dominated in recent years, winning each of the last five renewals, six of the most seven recent editions and seven times in ten years.

Meydan Racecourse stages an eight-race card on Sunday, highlighted by a 2000m turf handicap due to be contested by the capacity filed of 14, the weights headed by Gentile Bellini, Bernardo Pinheiro in the saddle for Musabbeh Al Mheiri.

A 7yo entire son of Dubawi, eight of his nine UAE outings have been on dirt, two at Jebel Ali and six here, including a 1600m victory on his third local start and seasonal debut at the beginning of November 2021. He did win his maiden, in Ireland, over 2000m on turf.

No less than 10 races to look forward to at Al Ain on Saturday with the featured second and middle leg of the Al Al Ain Marathon series the final contest on the card.

A 4100m handicap, it has attracted a field of 13, including Al Mahbooba, victorious three weeks ago in the first leg of the series, a 3200m handicap.

That was her second UAE start and for Doug Watson having previously been trained in the UK by former Champion Purebred Arabian Champion Trainer James Owen who still owns the 7yo mare as part of his racing club.