Dubai
Dane O’Neill is set to continue his red-hot form from last weekend as he looks to have several leading chances, not least recent scorer Ajraam, at today’s Gulf News-sponsored race meeting at Meydan.
The British-born rider, who landed the job as second jockey to Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance four seasons ago, struck a purple patch when booting home three of his owner’s quartet of winners at Jebel Ali on Friday.
O’Neill has a full book of six rides with Ajraam and Nathr appearing to be the strongest of the lot. Trained by champion handler Musabah Al Muhairi, Ajraam and O’Neill won over course and distance two weeks ago and is taken to repeat in the featured Gulf News Handicap.
Although that was his first success in 14 starts since he last won a handicap at Thirsk in England in 2013, it will have done the five-year-old son of Daaher’s confidence a world of good. “He did it well enough at the last meeting,” said O’Neill.
Did well
Former Dubai World Cup-winning rider Fernando Jara rides stable companion Ebn Arab, while Tadhg O’Shea takes the ride on the third Shaikh Hamdan-owned contender, the Ali Rashid Al Raihe-trained Tamaathul. “He actually ran well last time,” said O’Shea. “Having missed the break, he did well to get involved and has been through the gates at home with no problems since.
“His work has been good and he should run well.”
Al Raihe also saddles Not A Given while Satish Seemar and Richard Mullen combine here with the ex-Mike de Kock-trained Merhee. “It is his first start for us, but we are very pleased with his work on the sand at home,” said assistant trainer Bhupat Seemar. “He will improve for the run, but is as fit as we can get him at home.”
The Doug Watson-trained My Catch, who is making his dirt debut, completes the field of six. “If he handles the dirt he will run a big race,” said Watson. “He works well on it at home. He had the summer off and has thrived for it.”
Seemar saddles interesting contender Last Fighter in the Insideout Handicap over 1600 metres.
Previously trained by Godolphin, the son of Cape Cross makes his first appearance at a racecourse in 1,020 days but is reported to be fit and ready. “He has obviously been off a long time and will come on for the run,” said Bhupat. “He has been with us for about two years and has had a succession of small problems, nothing major.
“It will be nice to get him to a race and see how he goes.”
Al Raihe and O’Shea combine with Need To Know, who is being backed up for a good second-place effort at Jebel Ali last week. “It was a good run on Friday,” said O’Shea. “The winner looked good but we were well clear of the rest. He does have to give weight away but is in great shape.”
Watson saddles two-time course winner One Man Band and the ex-French trained Grand Argentier, who his connections will hope can be a Dubai World Cup Carnival contender. All races on Thursday’s card are sponsored by Gulf News.
