De Sousa to extend his lead for UAE title

Ed Marnane

Reigning champion Silvestre de Sousa is in pole position to win the UAE jockeys’ title approaching the final weeks of the season.

The Brazilian, who is four clear of his compatriot Bernardo Pinheiro on 43 wins, heads to Meydan on Friday with a full book of rides and rides Breakdancer for the in-form Simon and Ed Crisford in Race 3, the opening handicap over 1800m on turf.

By Wootton Basset, the Rabbah Racing-owned gelding has been running well in defeat this season, latest when narrowly beaten in a competitive 14-runner handicap at the Abu Dhabi Turf Club. Rated 85, he remains on a competitive mark and should go close to finally opening his account on grass on the fifth run of the season.

In an open-looking race, Devoirs Choice demands respect under Tadhg O’Shea for his main employer, Bhupat Seemar, the season’s leading trainer. He backs up quickly after chasing home the enterprisingly ridden Mawhoob at Jebel Ali on Sunday.

The five-year-old, one of three horses representing Zabeel Stables, has a big shout off a lower mark on turf.

Race 5, the 1600m handicap on turf, the most valuable race on the card, has drawn a big field of 15, in which Charlie Appleby holds a typical strong hand with three runners.

Riding arrangements suggest the Richard Mullen-ridden King’s Charter is the pick of the Godolphin-owned trio. Winner of four of his six races, he showed improved form when splitting the progressive Dividend and Archivist here last month. The winner gave the form a major boost when finishing second to Quddwah at Group 2 level in the Singspiel Stakes.

King’s Charter is fancied to confirm form with reopposing Archivist and register his first success in the UAE.

Race 2, the only maiden on the eight-race card, has attracted a maximum field of 16 for the 1400m event on dirt, in which the once-raced Wajjeeh, trained by Michael Costa, gets the vote.

He made a pleasing start to his career in similar event at the track seven days ago, keeping on nicely in the closing stages, despite being green and inexperienced, to finish a creditable third behind Honest Desire and Miss Yechance. This well-bred US-bred colt is open to plenty of improvement, while the step up in distance will suit.

Mystery Chime caught the eye on his racecourse debut behind Gray Boss at the beginning of November, leaving the impression he would benefit for the experience. He should go well for his in-form trainer, despite obvious concerns he has been on the sidelines four months, suggesting he has had training issues.

The Seemar-trained pair, Raasil and Sucette, warrant consideration, with preference for the former, the choice of O’Shea. He was entitled to benefit from the run behind Magic Art, his first start for the trainer since switching to the Middle East after starting his career in Florida under Antonio Sano’s care.

Racing closes with a handicap, over 1600m on dirt, in which it is hard to rule out any of the nine runners. Nam Phrik, a winner at Jebel Ali earlier in the campaign, remains in good form and produced a personal-best when second behind Zandvoort in the Jebel Ali Classic on Sunday.

He looks vulnerable off his revised mark and the progressive Diamond Dealer makes more appeal for the Seemar/O’Shea partnership. He is enjoying a productive season, racking up wins at Jebel Ali and Meydan, and has strong claims of taking his career tally to four for his Saudi Arabian-based owners, Athbah Racing.

Saeed bin Suroor has booked De Sousa to ride Desert Shadow in Race 7, the 2410m handicap on turf. Owned and bred by Godolphin, he has progressive profile since returning to Britain and been gelded, having been soundly beaten in two runs at Meydan last season.

He was first past the post in a decent 2000m handicap at Beverley last August, only to be demoted and placed second after a stewards’ enquiry. He should go well as he seeks to shed his maiden tag on his eighth start.

Aablan, a winner at Abu Dhabi trained by the Crisfords, heads the list of dangers, while others to consider in an open handicap include top-weight Valdivia, Deciduous and Will Scarlet. The last-named has the services of the red-hot Ray Dawson and will relish stepping up in distance.

No Escape has thrived since arriving in the UAE and showed a likeable attitude to prevail in a close finish with Tourist and Namaguederaz at Jebel Ali five days ago. He can defy a hike in the weights and record his third win of the season in Race 6, the 1200m handicap on dirt.

Best Bet: Race 5: No 1 King’s Charter

Best Value: Race 2: No 16 Wajjeeh

Best Swinger: Race 8: 3-Diamond Dealer and 8-Nyaar

JACKPOT

(Races 4 to7)

R32

Leg 1: 2, 4, 6, 11

Leg 2: 1

Leg 3: 1, 4, 7, 12

Leg 4: 2, 10