Sharjah: Sharjah Racing returns to Sharjah Racecourse for the second time this season on Saturday afternoon and 12 have been declared for the featured Longines Conquest Classic Moon Phase handicap.
Al Yawazi, trained by Eric Lemartinel, is the mount of UAE Champion Jockey, Tadhg O’Shea.
“She won her maiden at Sharjah, over this 1700m,” said O’Shea. “So we know the conditions are fine and she seems in very good form at home.
“Eric has his horses at Al Asayl running well and hopefully she will do so on Saturday.”
Elise Jeanne saddles MH Areeb, a six time winner in the UAE. Four of those victories for the seven-year-old chestnut came over Saturday’s course and distance, including three weeks ago, when ridden by O’Shea.
Jeanne secured the services of experience Dutch rider Adrie de Vries who said: “Conditions obviously suit him very well and he should produce another solid effort in what looks a tough race.”
Richard Mullen has also won on MH Areeb in the past but he rides Ammal trained by Jean de Roualle.
It will be only the fourth career start for the four-year-old, and she will be making her handicap debut. He trainer believes Ammal merits serious consideration.
Also in contention is the same owner’s Aslaan, with apprentice Saeed Al Mazrooei aboard for trainer Helal Al Alawi. The four year old bay colt is expected to run well, along with Bushrah Al Reef.
Sam Hitchcottt rides the latter for Abdallah Al Hammadi and Al Abjarn Stables.
Zaffaan, who is trained by Musabah Al Muhairi, is the mount of Dane O’Neill.
The veteran eight-year-old has won at Sharjah in the past but has been tailed off, including here three weeks ago, on all four starts since winning the 2700m Sharjah Marathon in March 2015.
Pat Dobbs rides Hakim for Doug Watson and owners, EERC (Emirates Entertainment Racing Club). If staying the trip, he is yet another who cannot be discounted in a truly wide open affair.
The only Thoroughbred contest on the six race card is a fascinating 1200m handicap which has attracted 13 runners.
Satish Seemar, who saddle three winners at Meydan on Thursday, will be represented by Signs In The Sand and Chord Chart. Stable jockey, Richard Mullen will be aboard the former and apprentice, Cameron Noble, on the latter.
Al uhairi saddles three with O’Shea an interesting booking for Initial with stable jockey, Fernando Jara aboard Tajheez and Outrank to be ridden by apprentice, George Buckell.
Dane O’Neill has elected to ride Alraased for Ali Rashid Al Rayhi.
Rashed Bouresly saddles no less than five in the race with jockey bookings suggesting Gonydin, the mount of Bruno Reis, is the main hope.
However, the one they all perhaps have to beat is Intense Effort, already a winner at Jebel Ali this season. Adrie de Vries is again in the saddle for Ismail Mohammad.
GN Selections
Race 1. Tashkee
Race 2. Tawajud
Race 3, Hakim
Race 4. Al Tiryaq
Race 5. Tajheez
Race 6. Mawahib
Day’s best: Tawajud