Dubai: There may only be one meeting in the UAE this weekend but tomorrow's Jebel Ali card promises to be a real treat with the Listed Jebel Ali Stakes taking centre stage.
Run over 1,950m, it is the first of the track's three Listed features during the season and has attracted a maximum field of 16, undoubtedly attracted by the Dh500,000 prize money.
Trainer Erwan Charpy saddled his first winner of the season last weekend and will be bidding to win this race for the third time in four seasons.
Rampallion was his winner last season but is not in the field this year, but his 2006 winner Singing Poet is. He is to be ridden by stable jockey Pat Smullen with Richard Hills on stable companion Mashaahed, owned by the jockey's main employer Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.
Charpy said: "We hope Singing Poet is back to something like his best after a problematic season with him last time.
"Mashaheed is a lot fitter than when he ran in the prep race and I hope both can run well."
Doug Watson saddled Dubai Honor to win this in 2003 and has four runners this year.
Pat Dobbs partners Dynamic Saint who will be suited by the likely fast pace, while Daragh O'Donohoe's mount Lucky Ray has conditions to suit. With last year's runner-up Rohaani (Dynamic Saint was third) also in the field, as well as course winner Weald, Watson appears to have a strong hand.
He said: "All four are in good form and you could make a case for each of them. It looks competitive though so we are just hoping for some big runs. At least we know they all go on the track."
FALLON'S RETURN
Trainer Satish Seemar has a good record in the race and saddles both Eddie Jock and Pompeyano, with stable jockey Richard Mullen electing to ride the former. Dhruba Selvaratnam and William Buick were in fine form last week and rely on Meeriss in a wide open contest.
Kieren Fallon returns to Jebel Ali action and partners Rashed Bouresly's Grand Hombre.
There is also a prep race for the Jebel Ali Mile and Jet Express, representing the in-form duo of Ali Rashid Al Raihe and Royston Ffrench, would appear the most likely winner.
However, Charpy's Tasteyville and Watson's trio of World Ruler, Merchant Marine and Shopton Lane head the potential dangers.
The opening seven-furlong conditions race, restricted to three-year-olds, features several former Godolphin inmates, headed by Balierus, a course winner already this season for Mubarak Bin Shafya. However, stable jockey Willie Supple has elected to partner Graymalkin.
Website marks opening of Meydan
With the opening meeting at Meydan just a fortnight away, Dubai Racing Club yesterday relaunched their official website, www.dubairacingclub.com.
The site features a countdown timer, racing calendar and programme for the Dubai International Racing Carnival, information on ticketing and dining as well as rates for general admission, packages, banqueting and corporate entertainment.
The site for the first time incorporates a secure booking engine to reserve your night at the races.
Racing fans as well as owners, trainers and jockeys, will have quick and easy access to crucial information, from rules and regulations to race cards, form guides and results pulled real-time via the Emirates Racing Authority website.
The Carnival begins on January 28 and culminates in the World Cup on March 27.
