Jaasoos, ridden by Kieren Fallon, wins the National Day Cup ahead of Black Eagle at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club three weeks ago Image Credit: Ahmed Gutty
Abu Dhabi: A quality field of 14 horses are set to face the starter in Sunday's Listed Thoroughbred His Highness The President's Cup, including the Dhruba Selvaratnam-trained Jaasoos, winner of the Listed National Day Cup three weeks ago.
National Day Cup contest was over 1,600 metres, but he should not be inconvenienced dropping to 1,400 metres here in a race he was third in 2009.
William Buick is back in the saddle having been abroad when the horse won the National Day Cup under Kieren Fallon.
Selvaratnam said in a statement: "He has come out of that race well and is in the same kind of form at home. He was a good third in this last year and has the same draw in 10 as he did last time. He should go well but it looks a stronger race than the one he won at the start of the month."
Hopeful of chances
Fallon takes the ride on the Doug Watson-trained Prince Shaun, owned by the Emirates Entertainment Racing Club (EERC), whose Justin Byrne said: "He ran in this race last year first time out but we have managed to get a run into him this year. He is working well and we are hopeful."
The course and distance trial race was won by the Satish Seemar-trained Escape Route, who was ridden by Richard Mullen on that occasion but will be partnered by Wayne Smith this time.
Smith said: "It is a great spare ride and we have a good draw. Conditions clearly suit him and I am hoping for a big run."
Stephane Chevalier saddles Letteratura, who looks an interesting new recruit to the UAE, and her trainer sounds hopeful.
"We were going to wait for the Dubai International Racing Carnival but she is working very well so we decided to come here," she said.
Erwan Charpy trains Golden Arrow, who enjoyed no luck in the National Day Cup. Winner of the 2009 Jebel Ali Mile, he is another to consider, along with Le Drakkar, Montpellier and Iguaza Falls.
The only Thoroughbred race on the evening, it really promises to be a Christmas cracker and is the undoubted highlight of the six race card.
The main support races are the Abu Dhabi Championship and Abu Dhabi Colts' Classic, with Philippe Barbe and Fallon looking to have strong claims in both with Frynchman and Burkan Al Asayl, respectively.
