Dubai: Trainer Satish Seemar is eyeing a rare hat-trick in Saturday's Dh500,000 Jebel Ali Sprint sponsored by Shadwell when he saddles two previous winners of the Listed five-furlong contest.
The Zabeel Stables handler has won the last two editions of the popular contest with Spin Cycle and Terrific Challenge, and bids for repeat victories with the duo as the venue stages its penultimate meeting of the season.
Stable jockey Richard Mullen has opted to ride Spin Cycle, paving the way for former seven-time UAE champion jockey Ted Durcan to be reunited with veteran Terrific Challenge, who he famously rode to victory in 2010.
Commenting on his choice of ride, Mullen said: "It is not easy to pick between the pair but Spin Cycle has age on his side and I am hoping can bounce back to winning ways."
Durcan said: "These are his optimum conditions and it is a great spare ride on a horse I have won this race on before. He is ten now though but will hopefully run his usual good race. It would be great if he could roll back the years and win again."
The Seemar pair take on some quality opposition led by the Musabah Al Muhairi-trained Russian Rock, a hugely impressive winner of the prep race two weeks ago.
Other contenders are Russian Rock's stable-companion Fityaan, Alo Pura, who is trained at the course by Dhruba Selvaratnam, 2010 runner-up Dohasa, who represents Esmail Mohammad and four-time Jebel Ali winner this season, Kilt Rock.
History-maker
Russian Rock bids to create history for his owner Fathi Esaed Mohammad Egziama by completing a sweep of the three major races run at Jebel Ali following the victories of Trebel Jig in the Jebel Ali Mile and Jebel Ali Stakes earlier this season.
"To win two of the big races at Jebel Ali was a great honour. To win all three will be like a dream come true," said Egziama.
Wayne Smith, who partners Russian Rock, will also claim a slice of history for himself as the first jockey to win all the Listed races at the course.
"That was his UAE debut last year and he has improved in the year. He did it well last time and it would be amazing to win all three big races on the course," he said.
Russian Rock beat stablemate Fityaan, the mount of retiring jockey Richard Hills, in the course and distance prep race last month, and is expected to start as favourite.
Selvaratnam won this race twice in 1996 and 1997 with Try Prospect and is quietly confident with Alo Pura, who was third to Terrific Challenge in 2010.
The trainer said: "If it was over 1,200 metres I would be very hopeful but she handles the track and is in good form. She should be running on at the end."
Kilt Rock has given his owners, the Emirates Entertainment Racing Club, so much to dream about after four rousing wins at the course, and a victory in today's big race would be a crowning achievement for trainer Doug Watson.
The handler said: "Hopefully he can break better this time and be competitive in a decent renewal."
The concluding 1,950m race looks a cracker with Zain Shamardal and Mushreq being the pick of the pack.
Plenty of surprises and prizes are in store for race goers at Jebel Ali today.
