Dubai: Satish Seemar has taken a six-point lead at the top of the trainer's table and at first glance, an advantage as conclusive as this indicates he has made a thoroughly satisfactory start to the season.
But as Seemar, of all trainers, knows, it can be deceptive. For these are early days. Yet Seemar, who is overseeing the training of horses both at his Zabeel Stables and the Millennium Stables, will be looking to build on his strong start.
Today he sends out 16 runners in a six-race card sponsored by publications from Gulf News.
The highlight of the meet looks to be the Gulf News Stakes, a 1200-metre sprint for horse rated 80-105. The race has attracted a promising field of nine speedballs with the top three on the weights - Botanical, Varadouro and Doctor Hilary - appearing to have the best credentials.
On current form the Seemar-trained Doctor Hilary should hold a marginal edge. The four-year-old was an eyecatching second to Machynleth at Jebel Ali two weeks ago and should come on for the effort.
However, Ted Durcan has opted to ride stablemate San Salvador instead
Midhish Stable handler Adi Selvaratnam, who is known for his prowess with sprinters, introduces Brazilian-bred Varadouro, the winner of a Grade 3 race in South America.
Reigning champion jockey Willie Supple is chalked in for the ride.
Botanical, who was third by a length to Saratoga County in the $2million Dubai Golden Shaheen on Dubai World Cup day on March 26, has the class to bounce back a winner in this modest bunch. Furthermore, Frenchman Erwan Charpy has his horses spot on this season.
Seemar runs four in the Aquarius handicap over 2,000metres with Change The Grange looking the pick of the pack. Formerly trained in Macau, Change The Grande won twice during the 2006 Dubai International Racing Carnival.
He comes up against the Doug Watson duo Dubai Honor and Mutasallil. The former is a very genuine campaigner and has won over a slightly shorter trip at this course in February.
Forty Hablador, another Seemar runner, was a good third last time out while Afghan will be looking to rediscover his form of 2005.
Delude, a winner two weeks ago, can make it two from two this season by taking the Insideout Classic over 1,500metres. You Snooze Ulose trained by Jaci Wickham is taken to win the day's only Purebred Arabian race, the Wheels Challenge over a mile on dirt.
