Dubai: Despite only five runners being declared for the Shadwell Farm-sponsored feature race at Jebel Ali Racecourse on Friday it looks a classy renewal of a similar and highly competitive contest held last season.
The quintet includes the first three finishers on that occasion — Farrier, Jutland and Tanfeeth — and two former course winners Dormello and Izaaj.
Farrier represents Zabeel Stables, and on the evidence of the scorching form that trainer Satish Seemar has his runners, looks a deserving ante-post favourite.
Richard Mullen, who currently heads the jockey’s standings with 13 wins, was optimistic about his chances and said: “Obviously Farrier won this race last year and he goes particularly well at Jebel Ali
“There may only be five runners but it still looks competitive. Having said that we have to be very hopeful.
“Our horses have been in such great form it can only add to our confidence and he has always run well fresh in the past.
“Hopefully he is the one they have to beat.”
Doug Watson was equally hopeful of Jutland’s chances as his trainee meets Farrier at level weights, having conceded 5lb when they last clashed in November 2013.
“Our horses have been running well on the whole and Jutland seems in great shape at home,” said Watson, who has saddled six winners this season. “He has run well fresh in the past and we have a weight swing with Farrier from 12 months ago.
“He goes well at Jebel Ali and this race has always been the original plan for the season. We are really looking forward to running him and expecting a big effort.”
Tanfeeth is trained by Musabah Al Muhairi who feels that he has his horse in the right condition for his big-race test.
“He’s a nice horse who tries very hard,” he said. “Although he has not won at Jebel Ali he has delivered some strong performances on the surface. It’s his first outing on the track after Meydan and Abu Dhabi and we’re hoping he will run well. It’s a strong race but we like his chances.”
Dormello, trained on the course by Dhruba Selvaratnam, makes his first appearance since posting an impressive win over 180m at the track in March.
He represents a stable whose horses appear to be hitting form and can be expected to be at the finish.
Izaaj is an experienced campaigner who scored at this track in February when previously trained by Mubarak Bin Shafya.
He represents trainer Al Aasfa Stables’ Ahmad bin Harmash who is looking for a first win of the season.
The main support race is a 1000m Frayland Conditions Stakes which has attracted six runners including Selvaratnam’s talented sprinter Sholaan, winner of the Jebel Ali Sprint Prep last season.
Al Muhairi’s Fityaan, who was a course and distance winner four weeks ago, and Jebel Ali veteran Kilt Rock look the mains threats.
“Kilt Rock has certainly improved from his seasonal debut and the 28 days between races looks ideal,” said Watson.
“It is a competitive race but he seems back to his best so should give a good account of himself.”
Seemar saddles Temple Meads who returns to action after missing all of last season.
However Mullen said: “Temple Meads has been off a fair while. However, as we saw last week our horses are capable of running well off a break and this fellow has been working well.
“He is a horse I know well from England and am delighted he has joined our yard. He has endured his share of problems but, fingers crossed, he will show his true colours this season.”
