Abu Dhabi: Purebred Arabian youngsters will take centre stage at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on Sunday with a trio of feature races for the three-year-old generation making up half the card.

The most valuable contest, with a purse of Dh180,000, is the Listed Abu Dhabi Championship (1600m) which has attracted six fillies, five colts and a gelding.

One of the fillies, Cloe De Faust was a winner at Al Ain on dirt and looks to have strong claims of winning.

Tadhg O’Shea, who takes the ride on the Eric Lemartinel trainee said: “She did it very well at Al Ain. We went there thinking she would be hard to beat but they need to produce it on the track.

“She certainly did and we think a lot of her. This is obviously a better race and different surface but if she is as good as we hope, she will at least go close.”

Another noteworthy runner is RV Moulins Monarch, having his first local start for Arkan Stables-based trainer Hassan Al Hammadi.

The Abu Dhabi Fillies’ Classic will open the programme with the weights headed by the Ernst Oertel-trained AF Laja and Alina, the only two previous winners among the maximum field of 14.

“She impressed me the last day,” said David Probert, who rode AF Laja to victory earlier this year, “I am not sure how strong a race it was but she did it well. This is a better race and she is penalised but at least we know conditions suit her.”

Double penalty

Al Ajban Stables-trainer Abdallah Al Hammadi is enjoying a purple patch of form and Aasal Al Reef, one of his two runners, has to be considered.

The following race is the Abu Dhabi Colts’ Classic has attracted a capacity field of 14 and has four previous winners in the ranks.

The unbeaten AF Maqayes with a two-from-two record has earned a double penalty and will have to hoist top-weight of 59 kilograms.

The only Thoroughbred race, a 2400m handicap, has attracted a field of just nine with Moonlight Dash and Almerzem holding strong claims

Trained at Zabeel Stables by Satish Seemar, Moonlight Dasg recorded his fourth career win when scoring over 2200m on the track four weeks ago and the step up in distance looks sure to suit

GN Selections

Race Horse

1. 1. AF Laja; 2. Aasal Al Reef

2. 1. AF La’asae; 2. AF Maqayes

3. 1. Cloe De Faust; 2. Rabdan Al Ain

4. 1. Moonlight Dash; 2. Almerzem

5. 1. Tamooh S; 2. WMA Sandstorm

6. 1. Al Gassimi; 2. Maftoon Al Reef

Day’s Best: AF La’asae