Abu Dhabi: Three quality races including one for thoroughbreds at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club race course mark the final race meeting for the year 2006.
The H.H The President's Cup, a Listed race for thoroughbreds has attracted a strong field while the Al Asayl Championship (Listed) and the Abu Dhabi Colts Classic (Prestige) races for Purebred Arabians is also expected to provide some thrilling fare for racing fans before they take off on a short holiday break.
Led by National Day Cup winner King Jock, the President's Cup has six other runners rated above 100 which makes this race for thoroughbreds a hot contest. Robert Osborne's King Jock just about managed to stave off National Captain's challenge with Ace finishing third.
Strong newcomers
All three are back to renew their battle while the three strong newcomers in the fray here are Mike de Kock's Candidato Roy and Satish Seemar's duo of Stream of Gold and Rock Opera.
King Jock could repeat his winning ways here but with such a quality field starting in this Dh150,000 race, followers of the Pick Six will certainly be scratching their heads.
Earlier in the Abu Dhabi Classic for colts, Cavalry and Mansur have the benefit of some good finishes in their fledgling careers while AF Al Buraq could be up there like any other Amer son.
The Al Asayl Championship adds to the excitement as Jaber Bittar's Djarak De Leyre makes his UAE debut after being unbeaten in three starts in France.
If one can discount the fact that this highly-rated son of Al Sabke is a debutant here, he should be the one most likely to grace the winner's enclosure.
But the danger could come from Alasil, a smart winner and a son of Bengali D'Albret from Seemar's yard and the Gillian Duffield duo of Hayajaan and Sakre D'Or.
