EdMarnane
With just ove r eight weeks until the season ends in the UAE, reigning champion jockey Silvestre de Sousa is facing a battle to retain his title from Brazilian rider Bernardino Pinheiro, who is enjoying his best-ever season in the Emirates.
Pinheiro, retained by trainer Salem bin Ghadayer, has ridden eight winners in February, taking his tally to 38 for the campaign, one ahead of compatriot De Sousa, with Tadhg O’Shea, the former champion, back in third on 28 wins.
At Meydan on Friday, Pinheiro, who enjoyed Group 1 success aboard the Arabian Joe Star in the Alanudd Classicat Abu Dhabi Turf Club on Saturday, goes to Meydan with a full book of rides and will be hoping he can increase his lead at the top of the jockeys’ table.
De Sousa has seven rides on the card, two for his main employer, Jebel Ali-based trainer Michael Costa.The pick of his rides is War Hawk in Race 3, the 2000m handicap on turf.
Trained by in-form Simon and Ed Crisford, he has run creditably in defeat in all three starts since arriving in the UAE at the beginning of the season, the most recent when a good third behind Antrim in a dirt handicap last month. Nicely drawn in stall No 2, he should appreciate being back on grass and holds sound claims of opening hislocal account for Rabbah Racing.
Race 5, the 1400m handicap on turf, is the most valuable race on the programme and Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby holds a typical strong hand, saddling four of the 14 runners. Of the quartet, unexposed Beccali makes most appeal under veteran rider Richard Mullen. He justified strong market support to win a 1400m handicap, over the same course and distance, on his local debut when easily going clear in the closing stages to score in style. He will be hard to beat.
Wathnan Racing are represented by English Oak, trained by Hamad Al Jehani. He ended a lengthy winless spell in a competitive 14-runner at the track four weeks ago, his first victory since winning at Royal Ascot in June, 2024. He has the advantage of a good draw (No 2) and should be competitive off his revised rating off a 100.
In an open race, The Fingal Raven warrants respect for Jamie Osborne. A winner at Meydan last month, he has an excellent record at the venue, failing to finish outside the top four in five appearances.
La Yetal, trained by Costa, has been frustrating for connections and expensive to follow for punters. His attitude failed to impress when beaten favourite at Jebel Ali last month, hanging under pressure when chasing home enterprisingly ridden winner National Interest.
He can be opposed in the 1900m maiden on dirt, Race 2, with Hidden Street, trained by Ahmad bin Harmash. The selection, by Dubawi, has been knocking on the door this winter and his recent close third in a 14-runner handicap won by Impressive Act was a solid effort.
This looks a good opportunity in a weak contest to open his account at the ninth time of asking.
A full field of 14 will line up in the 1200m handicap on turf, Race 7, in whichthe lightly raced Spitzbergen can take the prize on his Meydan/handicap debut. Trained by the Crisfords, he has improved since being gelded and a wind operation, impressing when winning at Lingfield in October on his sixth start. He hails from a yard operating at 18% strike-rate in the UAE this season and isvery unexposed, unlike most of his rivals.
Nam Phrik was unsuited stepping up to 1950m at Jebel Ali, three weeks after winning over 1400m at the same venue. Winner of four of his 13 runs on dirt, he has the assistance of Danny Tudhope, an eye-catching booking for the Antonio Cintra & Julio Olascoaga-trained gelding in the 1600m handicap on dirt, Race 4.
Bhupat Seemar is four-handed and Diamond Dealer, the mount of Tadhg O’Shea, is one to consider aiming for his third win of the campaign. He is dropping in grade after finishing a respectable fourth in a trial for the Jebel Ali Mile.
Diamond Dealer’s stable companion, Laasudood, owned by Shadwell, is in good form, finishing in the frame in his last two runs, both on Meydan’s main track. Hemerits respect in a competitive event.
BestBet: 4 Spitzbergen [Race 7]
BestValue: 11 Nam Phrik [Race 4]
BestSwinger: 5 Hidden Secret and 2 Desert Horizon [Race 2]
JACKPOT
[Races4-7]
R48
Leg1: 4, 8, 11, 12
Leg2: 1, 6, 9
Leg3: 2, 4, 8, 9
Leg4: 4