Bahwan for Grade 1 Abu Dhabi victory

Ed Marnane

The inaugural Abu Dhabi Gold Cup is the highlight of racing at the Abu Dhabi Turf Club on Sunday, the second Group 1 of the season at the track.

The race, over a distance of 2200m, has drawn a full field of 14 Arabians and Bahwan is fancied to enjoy the switch to turf and register his first success at the highest level.

Trained by Mohammed Al Shamsi, he struggled after an awkward start in the Al Maktoum Challenge Round II, trailing in a remote ninth behind the winner Unleashed in the Group 1 event on dirt at Meydan last month.

Bahwan, winner of a Listed race over the course and distance in November, was creditable third behind Heros De Lagarde in the HH President Cup, the world’s richest Arabian race and the opening Group 1 of the campaign at the Abu Dhabi Turf Club in December. It is hard to fault Bahwan’s consistency and the admirable French-bred six-year-old, who began his career in Poland, will be hard to beat.

The undercard offers plenty of decent racing, starting with the Liwa Oasis, race 3. The Group 2 event, over a distance of 1400m, is a strong renewal and a maximum field of 16 Arabians run.

Af Alajaj, winner of the Liwa Oasis in 2023, represents South African trainer Ernst Oertel and looks the one to beat under Tadhg O’Shea, the season’s top rider. The eight-year-old has improved with racing since returning from his summer break and arrives in the Capital at the top of his game, having split Mubeed and Barakka at Group 1 level on dirt at Meydan.

Owned and bred by Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda, Af Alajaj is ideally drawn for a horse that can race forward and if allowed dominate, he could be hard to catch.

Course specialist Af Laith, winner of three of his four races this season, is the chief threat. Trained by Ahmed Al Mehairbi, he suffered his sole defeat at the Abu Dhabi Turf Club this season in the National Day Cup in December. The winner, Heros De Lagarde, boosted the form when winning the HH The President Cup next time. He demands plenty of respect under regular rider Ben Coen, who has found the Abu Dhabi Turf Club a happy hunting ground this season.

Of the others, Maahir, trained by Majed Al Jahoori, is one to consider. He wasn’t beaten far by Af Laith at Al Ain last time, going down narrowly in a driving finish. In five previous visits to the Abu Dhabi Turf Club, Maahir has yet to taste success and it would welcome and overdue victory if he can pull it off in Group 2 company.

The card features the Arabian Triple Crown R1, a Listed race over 1600m for four-year-olds, race 4. It’s hard to see beyond the smart Rasasi, trained by Ahmed Al Mehairbi. The French-bred colt has created a big impression this season, racking up a hat-trick of wins and emerging an exciting talent in the Arabian ranks. Rated 105, he will bard to beat and can justify skinny odds.

The opening Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic, for local-bred Arabians, looks a fine opportunity for Ernst Oertel’s Af Saqara to follow up her recent win over the course. Tadhg O’Shea’s mount impressed when defeating Farah Baynounah and ten others, travelling strongly before readily quickening clear in the closing stages. She’s open to plenty of improvement on second run of her career and will be suited going up in distance.

Race 2, the Abu Dhabi Colts Classic, has drawn a big field and Oertel saddles four of the 14 runners, all homebreds for prominent local owner Khalid Khalifa Al Nabooda. Of the quartet, Tadhg O’Shea has chosen to ride Af Alajra’, winner of a maiden at Jebel Ali at the beginning of the month. He showed a good attitude, forging clear in the closing stages to win with authority. He won’t be fazed switching back to turf on earlier form over the track and will be hard to beat, especially as his draw has been kind.

Racing finishes with 1400m maiden for three-year-old thoroughbreds. Five of the nine runners are unraced and the once-raced La Senora gets the vote. Trained by Musabbeh Al Mheiri, she made an encouraging debut in the Mawj Stakes at Meydan, shaping as she’d improve for the experience. This is a big drop in grade and she has the services of Silvestre de Sousa, who is enjoying a teriffic season and continues to bang in the winners.

Michael Costa introduces two unraced colts, both bred in the USA. Riding arrangement suggests Mawhoob, the choice of stable jockey Ben Coen, is the pick ahead of stable companion Daamiss, the mount of Ray Dawson. He has the benefit of a barrier trial at Jebel Ali and won’t need to be above-average to play a leading role.

Best Bet: 3 Bahwan [Race 6]

Best Value: 7 Es Sudani [Race 5]

Best Swinger: 3 Bahwan and 8 Joe Star [Race 6]

JACKPOT

(Races 4-7)

R 36

Leg 1: 1

Leg 2: 5, 7, 8, 9

Leg 3: 3, 8, 10

Leg 4: 2, 5, 8