Ed Marnane
The final meeting of the season at Jebel Ali is headlined by the Jebel Ali Stakes (Listed), a race that has a long history stretching back three decades.
Daramethos, trained by Julio Olascoaga, has won the last two renewals of Sunday’s showpiece and returns to the Dubai track with leading claims of taking the prize for third successive year.
Shock winner of the National Day Cup (Listed) at Abu Dhabi on his seasonal debut at the beginning of December, he arrives in good order on the back of a solid effort in defeat in a handicap at Jebel Ali last month, just finding Saayedd a neck too strong in a driving finish.
Daramethos, the mount of Pat Dobbs, has been given a light campaign this season, restricted to just three runs and lines up in the Jebel Ali Stakes a fresh horse.
Michael Costa saddles three of the 15 runners, with preference for lightly raced seven-year-old Saayedd, winner of three of his five starts at Jebel Ali. To be ridden by Ray Dawson, he is a progressive gelding and from a good draw, he commands plenty of respect.
Qaader, a son of Night Of Thunder, is an interesting runner on his Jebel Ali debut. Trained by Fawzi Nass, he was a useful two-year-old for Mark Johnston and since joining Nass, enjoying success in the Middle East when winning a pair of valuable prizes in Saudi Arabia.
A winner on dirt in Riyadh, he ran a big race in the Saudi International Handicap on turf last month, beaten a length under top weight. Qaader, the highest rated horse in the race, should make a bold bid if handling Jebel Ali’s undulations.
Base Note represents Simon and Ed Crisford, the father and son training partnership that have historically found Jebel Ali a happy hunting ground, winning the Jebel Ali Mile (Group 3) last season with Swing Vote, the second time in three years.
Base Note, ridden by Pat Dobbs, defeated Alhzeem and Saayedd in a handicap, over the course and distance, on his first outing at Jebel Ali at the beginning of the month. In an open race, Base Note is one for the shortlist under new rider Silvestre de Sousa, as Dobbs has remained loyal to Daramethos.
Race 5, the Jebel Ali Classic, is a competitive renewal and full field of 16 run. The Camden Colt, trained by Bhupat Seemar, impressed when winning at Meydan eight days ago, his first run on dirt.
He’s open to improvement and hails from a yard with a smart record in the race, winning two of the last three runnings. He is ideally berthed in stall No 1, a major bonus on Jebel Ali’s straight track based on recent evidence.
A three-time winner at Jebel Ali, Sadaaty, Ray Dawson’s mount, is a smart gelding for Michael Costa and was a creditable second behind Qareeb in the Jebel Ali Mile, a personal-best on the eighth run of his career. He should go well.
Qatar raider Silver Jubilee can’t be overlooked for trainer Hamad Al Jehani, who is no stranger to success in the UAE having won the President Cup with Make Me King earlier in the season.
By Dubawi, the UAE’s champion sire, Silver Jubilee has an impressive record on dirt in Doha, winning two of his three races since sold to race in Qatar 11 months ago. He can boast winning form at Jebel Ali, winning a mile maiden when trained by Doug Watson for Sheikh Obaid Al Maktoum earlier in his career.
Race 4, the Jebel Ali Distaff, sees smart South American filly Devassa return on a retrieving mission after flopping in a minor event on her UAE debut at Jebel Ali two weeks ago.
Sent off a warm favourite, she was in trouble at halfway and could only stay on one-paced in the closing stages to finish second behind Flama Sunshine, beaten 6.50 lengths. It was the first defeat of her career and a blow for favourite backers.
Devassa, who arrived in the Middle East with a big reputation, was entitled to need the race off her five-month break and it would be premature to write her off yet. Julio Olascoaga has booked Jim Crowley, replacing Silvestre de Sousa.
Flama Sunshine, trained by Bhupat Seemar, left a couple of modest efforts at Meydan well behind when defeating Devassa and seven other fillies. A repeat of that form will clearly see her go close in the hands of Tadhg O’Shea.
A field of 10 three-year-olds run in the Al Wasl Classic, Race 5, African Candy, 2-2 over the track, is fancied to retain his unbeaten record at Jebel Ali and is the best bet on the card.
He has progressed with racing and showed a likeable attitude when seeing off the reopposing Don Vaccaro and Al Fareeq here two weeks ago, forging clearing under a well-judged front-running ride.
Ridden by Silvestre de Sousa, African Candy was always in control and readily kicked clear to score by comfortable 3.50 lengths.
Best Bet: 2 African Candy [Race 4]
Best Value: 8 Delorean [Race 7]
Best Swinger: 2 African Candy and 1 Don Vaccaro [Race 4]
Jackpot
[Races 4-7]
R36
Leg 1: 2
Leg 2: 9, 12, 16
Leg 3: 1, 3, 13, 15
Leg 4: 1, 2, 8