Dubai: Al Ain racecourse stages its third meeting of the season on Friday afternoon with the highlight being the Dh100,000 Al Khobaisi Purebred Arabian Handicap over eight furlongs.
Eight runners go to post, including former Dubai Kahayla Classic (G1) winner Fryvolous and Quite A Show, winner of the Group 1 Liwa Oasis in 2012.
The former is prepared by reigning UAE champion trainer Ernst Oertel at the Al Asayl Stables in Abu Dhabi, while Quite A Show represents Doug Watson’s Red Stables.
Also a winner of the Group 2 Mazrat Al Ruwayah at Meydan in 2012, the eight-year-old son of Falina Des Fabries was last seen finishing fourth to Bigg N Rich in the Jebel Hafeet Conditions race at this course last month.
Watson said: “He ran really well at Al Ain’s first meeting when having to give weight to some very decent horses. He was fourth then and clearly handled the surface.
“This is a drop in class for him and we are very hopeful of a big run. He should go very close.”
His best may be behind him but the 11-year-old Fryvolous remains competitive and capable of rolling back the years.
Adrie De Vries, who takes the ride, is optimistic of success, and said: “It is a nice spare ride, obviously, and with the yard in such good form I would have to be very hopeful of a bold show. His two Al Ain runs this year, in better races, have been okay and this looks a good opportunity for him.”
The only Thoroughbred race on the card is the concluding 1800m handicap, which will see the maximum field of 14 face the starter.
Doug Watson saddles three runners, including Centrifugal, Karma Chameleon and Etijaah.
The trainer said: “All three must have some kind of chance; Centrifugial has been running well but has not been done any favours by the draw. We think Karma Chameleon will appreciate the surface and he has a decent draw. He should be staying on.
“Etijaah has only had three starts for us and can hopefully build on what he has achieved so far.”
Satish Seemar also is mob-handed with Skycruiser, Returning Hero and Lindner.
