Classy line-up for Kahayla Classic

Abu Dhabi: The Group 1 Dubai Kahayla Classic, the only race for Purebred Arabians and the one that kickstarts action on Dubai World Cup day at 4.45pm, promises to be a classic contest with two past winners and a couple of strong contenders.

Purebred Arabian horse racing enjoys a very high status in the UAE and the Kahayla Classic has always been a much-pursued race on Dubai World Cup night.

Run over the Dubai World Cup distance of furlongs, the $250,000 (Dh918,000) race will see defending champion Fryvolous, 2008 winner Mizzna and No Risk Al Maury as the leading trio in the 12-horse field.

The Rod Simpson-trained Fryvolous, winner of the 2009 running, has not been in the best of form but the Al Asayl runner carries the hopes of the Sweihan-based stables.

Mizzna, the daughter of the mighty Alanudd (Unchained Melody), both having won this Purebred Arabian race, is back after missing the defence of her title last year due to an injury.

The 2008 winner is trainer by Frenchman Eric Lemartinel and has been lightly campaigned with an eye on the Kahayla.

Success

Trainer Gillian Duffield, who has enjoyed the most success in this Group 1 race, will be running No Risk Al Maury, a smart winner of the third round of the Maktoum Challenge (Group 1) race on Super Thursday.

Trainer Julian Smart, who won the Kahayla Classic with Nez D'Or in 2002 when based in Abu Dhabi, saddles Jaafer from his new base in Qatar.

Another Qatari raider Damis comes from Alban de Mieulle's yard while Saudi Arabia has a strong duo in Jalab Al Khalidiah and Nashwan Al Khalidiah.

Erwan Charpy's Santhal, Doug Watson's Nirwan and Kandar Du Falgas along with Qatar's Nil Blanc and Great Britain's Theoretically complete the 12-horse line-up.