Desert Snake to slither home in Abu Dhabi

Ed Marnane

Racing returns to the Abu Dhabi Turf Club on Saturday for a highly competitive seven-race card, six days after the excitement of Heros De Lagarde’s victory in the HH The President Cup, the world’s richest Arabian race and the highlight of the season at the track.

Desert Snake produced an improved effort on his first start for new trainer Julio Olascoaga, defeating State Of Desire and seven others on his seasonal debut at the Abu Dhabi Turf Club last month.

The son of Anodin, formerly trained by Ismail Mohammed, can follow up in Race 6, the 2200m handicap. Desert Snake is entitled to improve for his recent comeback having been off the track for eight months.

Riding arrangements suggest Wessall is the first string of Michael Costa’s two runners, with stable jockey Ben Coen riding the Dark Angel gelding. He ran well on his last start in the capital before finishing a respectable fifth at Jebel Ali. In an open-looking race, he commands respect.

Wessall’s stable companion Elraaed, the mount of Ray Dawson, is one to consider following a solid second at Jebel Ali, finishing 6.25 lengths ahead of Wessall on that occasion. The son of Dubawi is very unexposed on turf and should go well, despite obvious concerns of his wide draw.

Of the rest, Tokyo Tower appeals now connections are dropping him in grade and switching to turf. He failed to threaten in a conditions’ race on dirt at Meydan, trailing in last of four behind Mendelssohn Bay. He can boast winning form over the course and distance, and hails from a yard enjoying a terrific season.

Race 2, the 1400m maiden for local-bred Arabians, is the richest race on the card, surprisingly, with AED 70,000 (R350,000) up for grabs and a maximum field of 14 face the starter.

Af Al Hazem represents South African trainer Ernst Oertel and has the services of Tadhg O’Shea, the leading jockey at Abu Dhabi.

The seven-year-old, the oldest horse in the line-up, showed promise in a barrier trial at Jebel Ali in October. Af Al Hazem, who never landed a telling blow in a maiden on his racecourse debut at Al Ain, has the benefit of a good draw and from a powerful yard, demands plenty of respect.

It is significant connections have kept faith in him, two weeks before he turns eight.

Ibrahim Al Hadhrami and Connor Beasley teamed up to win the HH The President Cup with Heros De Lagarde and their hopes rest with unraced Yaa’boob. He has had two barrier trials, the latest at Meydan last month, where he shaped nicely when defeating Aa Aada Burn One.

Yasmeen Baynounah, the only three-year-old filly in the field, is getting weight from her 13 rivals and comes to the course after winning an eight-runner barrier trial at Jebel Ali. She’s ideally berthed in stall No 2 and is worth considering.

The 1400m handicap that closes the card is a tough one to call. Beasley and main employer Ahmad Bin Harmash team up with the maiden Al Pastor, who left previous form well behind when a good second behind Tabdeel at this course in late October. It is clearly a worry he hasn’t been since, but he should be in the mix, despite climbing in the ratings for his encouraging comeback.

Lightly raced Tempesta D’Oro, trained by Salem bin Ghadayer, will be suited being back at the Abu Dhabi Turf Club, the venue at which he won a maiden two years ago. He has obvious questions regarding his fitness, having been on the sidelines for nearly two years. He does not look badly treated on his handicap debut and if primed and ready, he commands respect.

Musabbeh Al Mheiri continues to bang in the winners and saddles the Naser Askar-owned Mount Tambora, a winner of a maiden at Meydan in January. He has slipped in the ratings and looks player under Silvestre de Sousa.

Pure Ambition, Al Mheiri’s second runner, has been bitterly disappointing since making his debut at Meydan 11 months ago. He needs to take a big step forward and is hard to fancy.

Frustrating Ghaaleb, a beaten favourite in four of his last five appearances, has been expensive to follow for punters and switches to turf after two defeats at Jebel Ali. He’s open to improvement stepping up in distance and can’t be dismissed under Coen, who enjoyed a double at the track on Sunday.

Elsewhere on the card, French-bred Alshaheen can overcome an eight-month break and open his account at the second time of asking in Race 3, the 1600m maiden.

He made an encouraging debut in a maiden at the Abu Dhabi Turf Club in April, putting in his best work at the finish and leaving the impression he would improve for the experience.

He would be a welcome winner for trainer Dennis O’Brien, who has made a slow start to the season and is 1-32.

Progressive and unexposed Kardar will be hard to stop in Race 5, the 2400m handicap. He has thrived this season and comes here in rude health, winning his last two starts at Sharjah. He’s a strong stayer and is fancied to defy a career-high mark on just his seventh run.

Best Bet: Race 6 No 5 Desert Snake

Best Value: Race 1 No 14 Yasmeen Baynounah

Best Swinger: Race 7 No 4 Al Pastor and No 1 Mount Tambora

JACKPOT

Races 4-7

R36

Leg 1: 3, 7, 10

Leg 2: 8, 12, 13

Leg 3: 5

Leg 4: 1, 4, 7, 8