Dubai: Highly regarded globetrotter Faraaj can prove he is capable of achieving trainer Dhruba Selvaratnam’s ambitious Dubai World Cup Carnival aspirations by delivering a strong performance at Jebel Ali Racecourse on Friday.

Selvaratnam revealed that the Darley-bred son of Dubai Destination is being trained with an eye on the Carnival’s principal turf races, and that the featured Shadwell Handicap over 1,800 metres was a perfect stepping stone towards UAE racing’s marquee event.

“We are looking at the turf Carnival races with him,” said Selvaratnam. “He is as fit as we can get him at home and this looks a good opportunity to get him back on the track.

“He will certainly improve for the run.”

This opinion is not without substance. Not only is Faraaj the class act in the ten-horse contest, but he has a lot in his favour despite the fact that he will be having his first start on dirt and only his second in the UAE.

The six-year-old also has some formidable credentials, which he displayed when producing some big efforts in high-quality races like Group 1 Dubai Turf on Dubai World Cup night earlier this year and the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup and Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington, Australia at the end of last season.

Regardless of not being well-treated by the handicapper, as he has to concede weight to all his nine rivals, Faraaj is taken to overcome the inconvenience and give a good account of himself.

Among his rivals are last season’s Jebel Ali Stakes first and second, Jutland and Mawhub,

Jutland has won seven times under Doug Watson’s supervision including the Group 3 Abu Dhabi Championship in 2013 as well as the 2015 renewal of the Listed Jebel Ali Stakes.

Interestingly though Watson’s stable jockey, Pat Dobbs, has deserted Jutland in favour of partnering stable companion and new recruit, Grand Argentier.

Sam Hitchcott, who rode Grand Argentier in his only UAE start at Meydan last month, takes the ride on Jutland.

“It was a tough choice for Pat,” said Watson. “He has enjoyed a lot of success on Jutland, so it must have been hard to choose against him but we all really like Grand Argentier.

“Both will have needed their one run so far this season and should strip a lot fitter this time.

“I would struggle to split them but Jutland is penalised for his big race win in January.

“It looks a decent little race and Faraaj could be hard to beat.”

The Satish Seemar-trained Mawhub, who finished second to Jutland in the Jebel Ali Stakes in January, also looks to have strong claims.

A dual course and distance winner ran a big race behind stable companion Farrier to finish second on his last outing.

Stable jockey Richard Mullen takes the ride.

Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, sponsors the race through Shadwell and his famous blue and white silks will be carried by both Sefri and Tanfeeth in the race.

Trained by Erwan Charpy, Sefri is the choice of retained jockey Paul Hanagan.

 

GN Selections

Race Horse

1. 1. As Enjaz; 2. Af Rahia.

2. 1. Sky Jockey; 2. Mountain Lion.

3. 1. Farraaj; 2. Mawhub.

4. 1. Busatto; 2. Tides Rise.

5. 1. Wekeyll; 2. Banaadeer.

6. 1. Qannaas; 2. Hammurabi.

Day’s Best: Wekeyll.