Ed Marnane
UAE-bred Arabians take centre stage at Abu Dhabi’s penultimate fixture of the season on Saturday, with the running of the valuable Emirates Colts and Fillies Classics, both over a mile for four-year-olds and each worth AED 100,000 (R515,000).
Champion jockey Tadhg O’Shea, on the cusp of a securing a 12th UAE title, rides Af Alarqaa for South African trainer Ernst Oertel in the Emirates Colts Classic, Race 3. Rated 83, he is a useful colt and has made big strides since connections switched him to turf, having shown minor ability on dirt.
He was narrowly denied by Lz Bibi in a close finish in the Abu Dhabi Colts Classic in late January, his first start in the UAE capital. Owned and bred by Khalifia Al Nabooda, he made amends when running out a resounding winner of maiden over the course and distance, quickening impressively and readily going clear of his 13 rivals in the closing stages.
Lightly raced Lz Bibi, trained by Saeed Al Shamsi, renews rivalry and clearly merits respect. Winner of two of his five races, he has the assistance of Saif Al Balushi, who is chasing his second win in three years having steered Yas Xmnsor to hard-fought victory two years ago.
Lz Bibi never threatened on his handicap debut over 2200m at Abu Dhabi last month, trailing in seven lengths behind Haroon on his first run taking on his elders. He will appreciate the step back to a mile and should relish taking on four-year-olds. With a full field of 16 declared, he has the advantage of a good draw and has to be high on any shortlist.
It is easy to make a case for Mubeed, winner of the Al Ain Derby and the highest rated runner on the field, off a mark of 89. He stayed on strongly to grab the prize close home from Jap Awqat and 13 others at Al Ain, doing well having missed the break and endured a wide trip.
Mubeed needs to improve to reverse form with Lz Bibi on their running in the Abu Dhabi Colts Classic. However, the Jaber Bittar-trained colt lost considerable ground at the start and in the circumstances he wasn’t disgraced finishing less five lengths behind the winner. If he can jump smartly, he should be in thereabouts.
Race 2, the Emirates Fillies Classic, has attracted a field of 13 and isn’t a strong renewal, only four of the runners can boast winning form. On ratings, the top-weight Jap Eshraq sets the standard, off a mark of 85 and has the services of Oscar Chavez, who won the Jebel Ali Stakes (Listed) on Daramethos on Saturday. A wide-margin winner of the Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic in January, she was soundly beaten at the track last month, showing little on her handicap debut. She can easily bounce back to her best and demands respect.
Once-raced Howzan Baynounah is open to plenty of improvement, having shaped nicely on her racecourse debut at Abu Dhabi recently. She was tardy leaving at the gates, showed signs of greenness and raced wide for much of the trip. Getting 2.5kgs from Jap Eshraq, she’s likely to emerge the biggest threat to the Irfan Ellahi-trained filly.
Race 4, the 1600m handicap for thoroughbreds, looks a good opportunity for the unexposed Faattik to build on his encouraging effort behind the progressive Vespasian in a competitive 1200m 16-runner handicap at Meydan earlier in the month. Trained by Michael Costa, he kept on well in the closing stages and showed a battling attitude over a trip short of his optimum distance. He can be expected to improve going up to a mile and is fancied to open his UAE tally at the third attempt.
In a wide-open race, Simon & Ed Crisford-trained King Of Time is one to consider. He has improved with racing since arriving in the Emirates and the Kingman gelding, owned by Rabbah Racing, only found Royal Dubai too strong in a 15-runner handicap at Meydan.
Shadwell holds a strong hand, with five of the 16 runners sporting the famous blue silks. Of the quintet, Waness looks to have the strongest credentials for Doug Watson. He wasn’t beaten far in a handicap, over the course and distance, won by Dionysian, his first start at the track. He found trouble in running and with a clear passage may have won.
Quartier, trained by Julio Olascoaga, makes a quick return to action seven days after producing a solid effort at Jebel Ali when second to Rasas. Quartier looked the likely winner, but the Ahmad bin Harmash-trained colt, who was getting 3.5kg proved too strong in the closing stages. If Quartier is equally effective on turf, he’s one to consider.
Rookie trainer Dennis O’Brien, based in Abu Dhabi, has enjoyed a fine campaign in his first season in the Emirates, sending out 16 winners and operating at a 16% strike-rate.
He can win the 2200m handicap, the final race, with the French-bred Mujazif under regular partner, Richard Mullen. Owned by Al Asayl, he has shaped nicely in two starts since returning from his summer break in December, both over the course and distance. He’s very unexposed and has slipped in the ratings.
SELECTIONS
Race 1
3 ASMAA 14 AF LAYTH 15 RAWAAT AL REEF 16 RB KINGS BAY
Race 2
1 JAP ESHRAQ 9 HOWZAN ABYNOUNAH 6 EASY LAP 13 TS ARIZONA
Race 3
2 MUBEED 3 AF AL ARQAA 1 LZ BIBI 14 MAGIC TOUCH
Race 4
1 FAATTIK 14 WANEES 7 KING OF TIME 15 QUARTIER
Race 5
14 AF YEHEEB 9 QESA 7 HAMLOOLA 13 AF MUTAKAFEL
Race 6
11 KOMBAT HIPOLYTE 4 RB BESTEVAH 15 SAND STORM AA 5 AF FERSTUQ
Race 7
8 MUJAZIF 14 HAROON 10 SNANN 1 RB STRYNGS ATTACHED
Best Bet: 1 Faattik [Race 4]
Best Value: 3 Asmaa [Race 1]
Best Swinger: 11 Kombat Hipolyte and 4 Rb Bestevah [Race 7]
Jackpot
[Races 4-7]
R54
Leg 1: 1, 7, 14
Leg 2: 7, 9, 14
Leg 3: 4, 11
Leg 4: 8, 10, 14