Al Mheiri’s hot run to continue at Abu Dhabi

Ed Marnane

Approaching the final weeks of the season the battle for the trainers’ title is heating up, with Musabbeh Al Mheiri’s treble at Jebel Ali on Saturday putting him level with Michael Costa at the top of the table.

Meydan-based Al Mheiri sends a small team to the Abu Dhabi Turf Club on Saturday and is represented in two of the seven races, starting with Rb Heads-Up in the second race, the 1400m handicap for Arabians and the most valuable race on the card. The US-bred mare, winner of two of her five starts in the Capital, has the services of Richard Mullen and holds obvious claims in the 14-runner event.

Not seen since finishing a close third behind Es Jenjal at the Abu Dhabi Turf Club two months ago, she can defy a career-high mark and get back to winning ways.

In an open-looking race, the Ernst Oertel-trained Af Tharwaty, Af Rasam and Af Mathakeel heads the list of dangers. The trio, owned by Khalid Khalifia Al Nabooda, arrive in good form and are effective under the conditions.

Sama Al Izz, who is making her handicap debut, completes the shortlist. Ray Dawson’s mount impressed when winning a maiden, over the track, and is open to plenty of improvement on just her third start.

A maximum field of 14 line-up in the 1200m handicap for thoroughbreds, Race 6, in which Michael Costa’s unexposed Tawalla is seeking his third win on the bounce following wins at Meydan and at the Abu Dhabi Turf Club. He’s a progressive sprinter and drawn nicely in stall No 4, he can complete the hat-trick.

Deep Hope, trained by Bhupat Seemar, makes a quick return to action, having finished a creditable fourth behind No Retreat in a competitive 1400m handicap at Meydan eight days ago. The winner looks a smart prospect and Deep Hope will find this an easier test. Andrew Slattery’s mount is a major player if coping with the step back to 1200m.

Thunder Of Niagara, who has been knocking on the door, having hit the frame in competitive handicaps at Meydan since connections sent him sprinting last month appeals. He is getting plenty of weight from Tawalla and should be in the shake-up in a race few hold obvious claims.

Faattik, Tawalla’s stable companion, has a 351-day absence to defy on his Abu Dhabi Turf Club debut. He is lightly-raced six-year-old and hails from a yard with a smart record with horses returning from lengthy layoffs. He can ‘t be overlooked.

Racing concludes with another handicap for thoroughbreds, this time over a mile and a full field of 14 run. Ahmad bin Harmash holds a strong hand with top-weight Al Pastor and King’s Fountain, Ray Dawson’s mount. Formerly trained by Andrew Balding, he has been a consistent performer for his new yard and wasn’t beaten far by the progressive Folk Festival at Meydan at the beginning of the month.

Al Pastor has yet to win in eight races and may struggle to concede weight to his 13 rivals. That said, he’s proven under the conditions and hasn’t disappointed in three previous runs at the Abu Dhabi Turf Club this season.

Doug Watson enjoyed a welcome big-race success at the track six days ago, thanks to the victory of First Classs in the inaugural Abu Dhabi Gold Cup, Group 1. Atlantic Sky, Pat Dobbs mount, is the pick of Watson’s two runners, ahead of the veteran Mayaadeen who is badly struggling for form and not looking the force of old.

Atlantic Sky has run well in defeat in all season and holds leading claims if handling the switch to turf, a surface he was soundly beaten on his only previous attempt.

Racing gets under way with a 2200m handicap for local-bred Arabians and Bernardino Pinheiro is an eye-catching booking for Es Fayez. The six-year-old, who is unbeaten in two starts at the Abu Dhabi Turf Club, ran well when third in a 15-runner handicap on dirt at Al Ain last time. Pinheiro is enjoying a teriffic season and impressed winning the Jebel Ali Sprint (Listed) aboard Royal Commando on Saturday.

Race 3, the Arabian maiden over 1600m, is a trappy event, five of the 14 runners are unraced. The booking of Jim Crowley for Zouhair catches the eye on his racecourse debut. The French-bred colt won a barrier trial at Jebel Ali and breaking from a low draw, he commands respect for a top Arabian yard.

Best Bet: 7 Es Fayez [Race 1]

Best Value: 3 Faattik [Race 6]

Best Swinger: 12 Rb Heads-Up and Af Tharwaty [Race 2]

Jackpot

[Races 4-7]

R48

Leg 1: 1, 6, 7, 11

Leg 2: 1, 7, 10

Leg 3: 1, 3, 4, 5

Leg 4: 4