Ed Marnane
The UAE season is in full swing now and Jebel Ali-based trainer Michael Costa has dominated the opening weeks, saddling 12 winners and operating at impressive 32% strike-rate.
The Australian native can continue his bright start at Jebel Ali on Saturday, with several fancied runners on the seven-race card, starting with the New Zealand-bred Ghaaleb in Race 2, the 1400m maiden.
Ghaaleb, winner of two barrier trials in New Zealand, made an encouraging start for Costa on his racecourse debut at Jebel Ali last month. The Astern gelding stayed on nicely in the closing stages to finish a close fourth behind shock winner Rayed, despite being slowly away and getting well behind.
He left the impression he would improve for the experience and the step up in distance. He has sound claims of opening his account under stable jockey Ben Coen.
Half an hour later, Bahrain trainer Fawzi Nass, who has made a slow start to the season, introduces an interesting Argentinian import, Condor Pasa, in the 1200m conditions race.
The son of Orpen, the only three-year-old in the eight-runner field, showed promise in the two runs at San Isidro, the most recent when a good fourth on his dirt debut in August.
Salem bin Ghadayer has bounced back to form after a quiet start and is three-handed with Princident, Velvet Cactus and Morroking, the last-named making most appeal of the trio under Royston Ffrench.
By Point Of Entry out of a Group 3 winner, he caught the eye in a recent barrier trial at Meydan, staying on strongly in the closing stages from the rear of the field. He is a well-bred colt and cost his owners €320,000 (R6.5m) at the Arqana Breeze-Up Sale in May.
The most valuable race on the card is Race 5, a 1600m handicap. Top-weight Justice Protecol, trained by Ismail Mohammed, was one of the most improved horses in training in the Emirates last season, winning four of his six races and soaring in the ratings. He struggled back in the UK in a light campaign, twice finishing well down the field.
He looks vulnerable conceding weight to his seven rivals off a stiff mark returning from a break in a competitive race.
Delorean confirmed the promise of his seasonal debut at Abu Dhabi when scoring at Jebel Ali two weeks ago, his first run on dirt. Always travelling strongly, he was sent clear by Connor Beasley and the manner in which he quickened away from his seven rivals was eye-catching. He will take plenty of stopping.
It’s easy to make a case for unexposed Webinar, trained by Bhupat Seemar who took out last week’s feature, the Dubai Creek Mile, with impressive Al Nefud at Meydan.
There was plenty of encouragement to take from Webinar’s return at Abu Dhabi, just failing to see off the late challenge from Count Rostov in a competitive 16-runner handicap. He wasn't beaten far on his only start on dirt at Jebel Ali last season and is entitled to take a step forward for his recent comeback.
Course specialist Chosen Mark, winner of three of his nine races at Jebel Ali, kept on nicely when chasing home enterprisingly ridden Aswan at Abu Dhabi last month, shaping as he needed the race on his first start in 231 days.
With normal improvement, he’s a big player.
Mersaal, the sole runner for Costa of his three entries, won’t lack for fitness having defeated stable companion Sadaaty and seven others at this course last month, storming clear in the closing stages to register his first win in 12 months. He is a lightly raced gelding and should have more to offer.
Racing rounds out with an 1800m handicap and proven stamina will be an asset in a tricky contest. Violent Justice, representing Doug Watson, failed to land a telling blow but made late headway to finish respectable fourth behind Alhzeem in a mile handicap on his seasonal reappearance.
He’s expected to improve for the race and demands respect.
Tadhg O’Shea-ridden Ghost Of The Mambo, one of two runners from Zabeel Stables, enters the reckoning. He’s proven at Jebel Ali, winning on three of his last five visits, and won’t lack for stamina. He never threatened from a wide draw behind Qareeb on his seasonal debut at Meydan, but that run should leave him spot-on for this assignment.
Of the others, Eljenob is one to consider from the all-conquering Costa stable. A winner of a 1400m maiden at Jebel Ali’s opening meeting of the season, he was no match for Delorean over a mile last time, weakening in the closing stages to finish third.
The Dabirism gelding can boast form up to 2000m in the UK, so the step up to 1800m should suit. He should be right in the mix.
Salem bin Ghadayer’s Attribution, a recent front-running winner at Jebel Ali, completes the shortlist. The six-year-old has a smart record at the track, winning three of his five races, and can give another good account.
BEST BET
Race 3 No 1 Condor Pasa
VALUE BET
Race 6 No 6 Delorean
BEST SWINGER
Race 2: 6-Ghaaleb and 7-Haasim
JACKPOT
(Races 4 to 7)
R81
Leg 1: 2, 6, 11
Leg 2: 5, 6, 7
Leg 3: 3, 8, 10
Leg 4: 1, 4, 7