Dubai: Emirati handler Majed Al Jahouri is poised to secure another ‘big-race’ victory at Abu Dhabi on Sunday before turning his attention to the Dubai Kahayla Classic (G1), the Purebred Arabian feature on Dubai World Cup night.
Al Jahouri has made a killing of the Group 1 races across the UAE this season winning six, including the final leg of the Al Maktoum Challenge at Super Saturday last week where he struck with Raaziq.
On Sunday, the former endurance champion sends out a formidable four-strong team in the Group 1 Dh200,000 Purebred Arabian Emirates Championship, headed by 2013 winner Musharab and Naseem, winner of opening round of the Al Maktoum Challenge I (G1) at Meydan in January.
Merzal and Rasikh add to the depth to AlJahouri’s contingent in the eleven-runner contest.
The trainer was bristling with confidence and said: “Naseem and Musharab would have to be our best chances and Naseem already has a big-race win to his name this year. That was over 1600m on the all-weather and this 2200m trip suits him better, as does the turf. He should have a big chance.
“Musharab has been running well enough and these are his optimum conditions. We expect another big run from him but Merzal and Rasikh need to improve on what they have shown here in the UAE. Their French form was good but they have yet to transfer it.
“It has been a great season so far and hopefully that can continue on Sunday.”
Al Jahouri is tipped to have three runners in the Dubai Kahayla Classic, the world’s richest Purebred Arabian horse race with prize money of $250,000, including Raaziq, Rabbah De Carrere and Naseem.
Other notable contenders in Sunday’s feature race consist of Eric Lemartinel’s Albar Lotois, winner of the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge R2 in February and the Ernst Oertel-trained Richlore, a three-time scorer at Abu Dhabi.
The concluding day’s card is supported by two other strong races, combining the Group 3 Dh370,000 Abu Dhabi Championship for thoroughbreds and the Dh150,000 UAE Arabian Derby (Prestige).
The Doug Watson-trained Jutland won the Abu Dhabi Championship 12 months ago and bids to become the first horse in the race’s history to win the race twice.
Watson said: “We know conditions suit him and he has faced a few stiff tasks this year but, on the whole, ran well. He seems to save his best for this time of year and he should run his normal genuine race.”
Mike De Kock’s Mushreq has produced some big efforts at Meydan during the Carnival and looks to have genuine claims under two-time British champion jockey Paul Hanagan who said: “He won well at the first Dubai World Cup Carnival meeting but things have not really panned out for him since and we know he is a good horse.
“It would be nice to think we can still get in the Dubai Duty Free but he will have to win this well if that was to be the case.”
Rookie trainer Ahmad Bin Harmash sends out 2011 winner Topclas and Jamr, a horse who is held in high regard by his trainer.
Dormello, third in this last year for Dhruba Selvaratnam and the Satish Seemar-trained Inthar, also reoppose.
Al Jahouri’s 6 Group 1 winners
Raaziq - Al Maktoum Challenge R3
Rabbah De Carrere - HH The President Cup & Al Maktoum Challenge R2
Naseem - Al Maktoum Challenge R1
Areem - Liwa Oasis & National Day cup
