Costa to shine in Meydan opener

Ed Marnane

Racing makes a welcome return to Meydan for their opening meeting of the new season on Friday with a competitive seven-race card, all on dirt, the first of 17 fixtures at the UAE’s iconic track. Race 5, the 1600m handicap, is the richest race on the card and is a competitive event that has attracted a big field of 14.

Jebel Ali-based Australian trainer Michael Costa, who started the season in sensational fashion when saddling five winners at Jebel Ali on Saturday, holds a strong hand and is responsible for four of the 14 runners. Of the quartet, unexposed and well-bred Meshtri, the mount of Australian James Orman, makes most appeal on his seasonal debut.

Owned by Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, he made a winning debut when battling strongly to get the better of Nevershow Weakness at Meydan 12 months ago. The form of the race was given a major boost when runner-up, trained by Bhupat Seemar, went on to reel off a hat-trick of wins. Meshtri, not seen since finishing a good second to his stable companion Sadaaty at Jebel Ali in December last year, has the benefit of a good draw and off his light weight can defy a lengthy layoff for his in-form stable.

Top-weight Everfast, trained by Doug Watson, drops markedly in class and returns to Meydan chasing his first victory since winning on local debut at the track in late 2021. The eight-year-old, to be ridden by Pat Dobbs, looks up against it under his big weight and is best watched.

Street Mood, a three-time winner on dirt at Meydan, has to be high on any shortlist. He has a decent record returning from a break, while his trainer, Musabbeh Al Mheiri, has made a solid start to the new campaign.

Connor Beasley is booked to ride Al Jaddaf for his main employer, Emirati trainer Ahmad bin Harmash. By Shamardal, Al Jaddaf progressed nicely last term and signed off the campaign by finishing a respectable fourth behind subsequent Dubai World Cup hero Laurel River in the Group 3 Burj Nahaar, a career high. He holds obvious claims over a track he is proven and is favoured by draw No 4.

Tadhg O’Shea, crowned UAE champion jockey in April, has made a poor start in his goal for a 13th title this season.

Operating at a dismal 3% strike-rate, by his standards, he has ridden only one winner and will be looking for a major upturn in fortunes returning to his favourite track, a venue where he has enjoyed countless big wins, most notably winning the Dubai World Cup in March.

He rides lightly raced Imperial Emperor, a AED 300,000 (R1.4m) purchase at the Racing In Dubai Sale in March. Formerly trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin, he has joined Seemar and makes his first start in nine months. Being by Dubawi, he’s bred to take to dirt and if fully tuned up, he’s one to consider.

A field of seven has been declared for Race 2, the 1400m maiden for juveniles. Riding arrangements suggest Daayyem, a $460,000 (R8.1m) buy at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale 14 months ago, is his main hope of Costa’s three runners under Irish rider Ben Coen, the yard’s No 1 retained rider.

By Bolt Doro, an exciting young US sire, he has the benefit of a recent barrier trial at Jebel Ali, where he hinted he had ability.

Daayyem’s stable companion, Rammayy, has the services of Orman, who rode a treble at Jebel Ali’s opening meeting of the new season, all for Costa. He showed promise in a barrier trial last month and clearly warrants respect under his in-form rider.

Seemar and O’Shea team up with Diamond Dealer, winner of a recent barrier trial at Meydan. He was acquired in the USA, fetching $250,000 (R 4.4m) at Fasig-Tipton Midatlantic Breeze-Up Sales earlier in the year.

South American import Norato, who must concede weight to his six rivals being bred in Southern Hemisphere, is one to consider. He showed promise on his racecourse debut in Uruguay four months ago before switching to race in the Emirates.

It’s encouraging his trainer, Julio Olascoaga, was among the winners at Jebel Ali on Saturday. He has booked Silvestre de Sousa to ride Norato. The Brazilian rider, who enjoyed Group 1 success with the top miler Charyn and Classic victory aboard Elmalka in the 1000 Guineas this year, has begun his winter stint in the UAE in good style.

Of the others, Sir Harmony shouldn’t be overlooked. He caught the eye when winning a barrier trial at Jebel Ali last month, travelling powerfully before easily going clear of his six rivals to score in good style. He hails from a yard that historically has a decent record with their juveniles.

The second maiden on the card, Race 6 over 1400m, looks a good opportunity for the 82-rated Million Doro to open his account at the fifth time of asking. Trained by Ahmad bin Harmash, he made a pleasing start to his career 12 months ago, just failing to see off the late challenge of Mendelssohn Bay under a positive front-running ride from Beasley.

It was disappointing he failed to build on that promise but in fairness, was handed some stiff tasks in better company.

Unraced US-bred Alsayel, trained by Costa, caught the eye in a recent barrier trial at Meydan. He was given a gentle introduction and wasn’t asked for maximum pressure in the 1000m event in the hands of James Orman, who continues the partnership. He was acquired by his owner for $310,000 (R 5.4m) at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

Best Bet: Race 6 No 12 Million Doro

Value Bet: Race 3 No 6 Elyabri

Best Swinger: Race 4: 8 Mr Kafoo and 2 Meshakel

JACKPOT

Races 4 to 7

R36

Leg 1: 2, 4, 8

Leg 2: 6, 8 13

Leg 3: 12

Leg 4: 1, 2, 6, 13