Dubai: Jebel Ali Racecourse host their final meeting of the season on Friday, with the feature race being the Shadwell Farm handicap.
Six are set to go to post including Haatheq, winner of this year’s Jebel Ali Stakes and Forjatt, who won the Jebel Ali Mile in 3014.
Trained on the track by Dhruba Selvaratnam, Forjatt won the Listed National Day Cup Abu Dhabi in December.
This will only be his second attempt beyond the mile but that does not worry his rider, Chris Hayes.
“I think the slightly longer trip will actually suit him,” said the Irishman. “He has been staying on well over 1600 metres so the extra 200 metres will hopefully be in our favour and Dhruba’s horses continue in great form.”
Selvaratnam added: “I think he will stay the extra 200 metres but if Haatheq runs to the level he showed winning the Jebel Ali Stakes, he will be hard to beat.”
However, Ali Rashid Al Raihe threw down the gauntley to Selvaratnam, procliaming that the nine-year-old Haatheq is a fit and good as he ever was.
Musabah Al Muhairi saddles two course and distance winners in Shaishee and Art Wave in the following race, a 1400m conditions event.
Paul Hanagan rides Shaishee but Art Wave, the mount of stable jockey Fernando Jara, may be the one to beat.
“He goes very well at Jebel Ali,” said Jara. “The 1400 metres is probably his best trip and he should go very close.”
Al Muhairi is also well represented in the finale, a 1200 metres conditions contest in which he supplies four of the 12 runners.
The field includes 2011 Jebel Ali Sprint winner, Spin Cycle, as well as Krypton Factor, victorious in the Group 1 Golden Shaheen in 2012
United Color, third in the Jebel Ali Sprint a fortnight ago has posted his two biggest career wins over this distance and looks the danger.
“United Color has been running well over 1000 metres but will appreciate the return to 1200,” said Hayes. “He looks sure to run a big race and should be thereabouts.
“Hopefully he can finish our Jebel Ali season in the best possible way; with a victory.”
