Ed Marnane
Racing makes a welcome return in Dubai at Jebel Ali on Saturday, headlined by a competitive 1600m handicap, Race 6.
Doug Watson, crowned champion trainer for the eighth time in the Emirates in April, saddles three of the 12 runners and the Pat Dobbs-ridden Violent Justice makes most appeal from a plum draw in stall No 2.
By the leading US dirt sire Violence, he impressed when winning his maiden at Jebel Ali in late 2021, slamming his nine rivals. He has failed to win since in nine subsequent starts but this looks a good opportunity to end his barren spell, particularly over a track he has never run a poor race.
In an open affair, Bhupat Seemar’s unexposed Maputo is one to consider on his handicap debut. He progressed with racing last season, opening his account in a 15-runner maiden at Al Ain. His opening mark of 78 looks fair and it’s encouraging Zabeel Stables had a winner at Sharjah on Sunday.
Last season Australian Michael Costa made a solid start in his new role as trainer for Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum at Jebel Ali, saddling 14 winners from 93 runners. The Australian is represented by Alhzeem, a lightly raced colt who was second twice at Jebel Ali before scoring at Meydan in February. A well-bred and consistent performer, he’s open to plenty of improvement and should go well in hands of James Orman.
Of the others, Fire Group is one to consider for Emirates trainer Musabbeh Al Mheiri. He wasn’t beaten far in maiden company at Jebel Ali in December 2021 and has the assistance of the in-form Ryan Curatolo, who has made a bright start to the new season with three wins from 10 rides.
Five two-year-olds have been declared for the 1000m maiden, the opening juvenile race of the season, Race 3. Tadhg O’Shea, multiple champion and the winningmost rider in the Emirates with a staggering 731 wins, rides Prima Summer. A graduate of the Goffs Dubai Breeze-Up Sale on the eve of the Dubai World Cup in March, he is fitted with blinkers on his racecourse debut, which clearly raises concerns.
The Sheikh Al Maktoum-owned pair Marsoom and Turjman, trained by Michael Costa, was expensive recruits in the USA. Preference is for the latter, a $125,000 (R2.3m) purchase at the Keeneland September Yearling Sales last year and the mount of James Orman. Marsoom, a half-brother to a Grade 1 Cotillion winner It Tiz Well, is from the first crop of Omaha Beach, a sire that has made an encouraging start with his first runners this year.
Historically Ahmed bin Harmash has a decent record with his juveniles and introduces Where’s The Wayya, a grandson of Dubawi, the most successful sire in the Emirates. By Demarchelier, he was acquired at OBS Sales, in Florida, in June. Despite covering small number of mares in his first year at stud, Demarchelier has made a bright start with his first crop of runners in the US and Where’s The Wayya can’t be overlooked.
Half an hour earlier 10 go to post for the opening 1000m maiden, Race 2. Bhupat Seemar’s Shinyar, rated 89, sets the standard under Tadhg O’Shea, the top rider at Jebel Ali last season. Not seen since chasing home subsequent UAE 1000 Guineas and Oaks heroine Shahama in early 2022, Shinyar is making her Jebel Ali debut and must overcome a lengthy layoff.
Doug Watson, the leading trainer at Jebel Ali last season, runs Nyaar and has the services of Pat Dobbs. He showed a decent level of ability in maidens at Meydan and if bringing that form to Jebel Ali, he should go close.
Riding arrangements suggest the well-bred Dubawi Devil, the mount of stable jockey Ryan Curatolo, is the pick of Musabbeh Al Mheiri’s three runners. A half-brother to the useful sprinter and former stable companion Meraas, he had a spell in the UK for William Haggas but failed to race.
Mozahim, by top US sprinter Kantharos, won’t need to be above average to make an impact on his racecourse debut for Michael Costa.
The finale, a maiden over 1800m, isn’t a strong race and won’t take much winning. British import Makfoul, now under the care of Michael Costa, showed a fair level of form and was consistent performer in four appearances for Simon and Ed Crisford. His fitness is a query having been off the track 430 days. His stable companion Wessall has a similar profile, showing promise when second behind Maghlaak after a wind operation at Kempton in August last year. He’s open to further improvement having only had two lifetime runs to date.
South African trainer Ernst Oertel, the leading trainer of Arabians in the UAE, can win the opening race, a 1400m maiden, with the consistent AF Estatha under Tadhg O’Shea. One of four runners representing Oertel, he was knocking on the door in maidens last season and should open his account at the seventh time of asking.
Selections
Race 1
2 AFESTATHA 8 RB BESTEVAH 15 UNITED SPIRIT 5 HAROOT
Race 2
9 NAYYAR 10 SHINYAR 5 DUBAWI DEVIL 7 MOZAHIM
Race 3
1 MARSOOM 6 WHERE’S THE WAYYA 5 TURJMAN 4 RABDAAN
Race 4
2 ONDA RUGGENTE 5 THAWBAN 1 RAYIG 3 AL SHIBLI
Race 5
7 AL HAJAJ 10 KINGDOM OF DREAMS 2 ELJENOB 3 MEZZOTINTO
Race 6
3 VIOLENT JUSTICE 6 FIRE GROUP 4 ALHZEEM 9 DELOREAN
Race 7
8 WESSALL 4 MAKFOUL 7 WAQET 2 FLAME TALON
Best Bet: 3 Violent Justice [Race 6]
Best Value: 5 Dubawi Devil [Race 2]
Best Swinger: 2 Onda Ruggente and 1 Rayig [Race 4]
Jackpot
[Races 4-7]
R36
Leg 1: 1, 2, 5
Leg 2: 2, 3, 7, 10
Leg 3: 3
Leg 4: 4, 7, 8