Ed Marnane
Racing returns to Jebel Ali on Saturday for a competitive seven-race card and Million Doro is fancied to build on his encouraging debut behind Mendelssohn Bay at Meydan and rates the best bet on the afternoon in Race 3.
Trained by in-form Ahmad bin Harmash, he shaped nicely behind the Bhupat Seemar-trained winner who is arguably the best juvenile seen in the Emirates this season. Million Doro, a $200,000 (R3.8m) buy at OBS Sales in April, showed plenty of early speed on debut before Mendelssohn Bay swooped fast and late to score in the hands of Tadhg O’Shea.
Michael Costa, the season’s top trainer, has been banging in the winners at Jebel Ali all season and introduces well-bred Ma Yetal, a $150,000 (R2.8m) purchase at Keeneland September Yearling Sale last year. The Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum-owned colt, a half-brother to a Grade 3 winner in the US, has the assistance of Ben Coen, the Irish rider who is operating at an impressive strike-rate in his new role as stable jockey for Sheikh Ahmad at Jebel Ali.
Coen and Costa can team up to win Race 2, the 1200m maiden with Kal Barg. The three-year-old, who ran well in four starts last season, can defy a 280-day absence over a track he wasn’t beaten far by stable companion Thawban in March.
The winner gave the form a boost when impressing on his Meydan debut last month and looks a nice prospect.
In an open-looking event, Al Arbed, Moheeb and Dark Candy all merit respect, while Fawzi Nass-trained Condor Pasa is one to consider getting weight from his 15 rivals. He didn’t shape too badly on his local debut behind Rasas and is entitled to be sharper for the race.
Race 5 is the feature on the card, a 1400m handicap for horses rated 85-105, is typically competitive and Michael Costa runs Meshtri and Sadaaty, both carrying the silks of Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum.
Unexposed Sadaaty, to be ridden by Coen, makes most appeal of the duo. He ran well behind Mersaal on his seasonal reappearance and is likely to strip fitter.
The once-raced Meshtri, the mount of Johnnatan Castano Mateus, makes his handicap debut off mark of 87, five weeks after winning at Meydan. Always handy, he kept on well to see off the determined challenge of Nevershow Weakness, with third-placed Classic Medal well adrift in the mile maiden.
The runner-up gave the form a timely boost when opening his account at Meydan on Friday. The lack of experience taking on seasoned, battle-hardened handicappers is an obvious concern and historically three-year-olds have a poor record in all aged handicaps in the Emirates.
Admirable and tough Street Mood, winner of a maiden on his Jebel Ali debut in March 2019, has each-way claims, now connections have dropped him in grade. He never threatened behind wildly impressive Al Nefud in the Dubai Creek Mile but wasn’t disgraced finishing ninth, having got well behind after a tardy start from a wide draw.
Champion trainer Doug Watson has his team back in good form after a quiet start and he enjoyed a welcome big-race success with Colour Up in the Al Garhoud Sprint at Meydan on Friday. The American can win Race 6, the 1800m handicap, with Violent Justice. The four-year-old US-bred gelding will be ridden by Sam Hitchcott, replacing regular pilot Pat Dobbs who is currently on the sidelines with a back injury.
Violent Justice badly needed his comeback last month, before taking a step forward when making late headway to run third behind the front-running Attribution under top weight. Now rated 84, a career-low mark, Violent Justice can snap a lengthy losing run and take his career tally to two.
Hat-trick chasing Attribution and Wessall head the list of dangers. The latter, trained by Costa, is unbeaten at Jebel Ali and ran well in defeat on his handicap debut at Meydan.
Earlier on the card, Mojeyrr is an interesting runner on his UAE/dirt debut for Costa in the sprint handicap, Race 4. Formerly trained by Archie Watson, he won a maiden on the All-Weather at Southwell in April. He didn’t look straight-forward in his races in the UK and a watching brief looks the percentage call without the benefit of a recent run.
In a trappy event, Musabbeh Al Mheiri’s lightly raced Al Shibli gets a tentative vote. He shaped nicely behind Rayig on his Jebel Ali debut last month, a race that has worked out well. He needs to bounce back after disappointing since at Meydan, when he was fractious in the gates, bumped another runner at the start and dropped away after racing prominently.
The son of Shamardal was well-regarded in the UK and this looks his easiest task since arriving in the UAE.
BEST BET
Race 3 No 4 Million Doro
VALUE BET
Race 4 No 3 Al Shibli
BEST SWINGER
Race 2: 8-Karl Barg and 15-Condor Pasa
JACKPOT
(Races 4 to 7)
R48
Leg 1: 1, 3
Leg 2: 1, 6, 8, 14
Leg 3: 6
Leg 4: 1, 3, 5, 6