Dubai: The much-anticipated 2017-2018 UAE Racing Season opens at Jebel Ali Racecourse on Friday and debutant trainer Gopi Selvaratnam, who must be familiar with every grain of sand on the track that has been his home for over two decades, will be hoping to make an early impression.
Having replaced his brother, Dhruba, as Jebel Ali Stables head trainer last month, Gopi saddles four runners on the six-race card.
The quartet are led by Sholaan, an eight-year-old who began his career in 2011 on the all-weather track at Kempton Racecourse in the UK, and has decent form on Jebel Ali’s dirt track which is characterised by a testing uphill finish.
Sholaan faces 11 rivals in the featured Shadwell Handicap on his return to action having not raced since contesting the equivalent race last year.
However, Gopi took a refreshing positive approach and said: “We know the track suits him well and he is in good form at home but he has been off a long while and it looks a hot race.
“He should run well but will improve for the run after a year off.”
Looking ahead to his first season at the helm of Jebel Ali Stables, which was created by Major General Shaikh Ahmad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Chief of Dubai Police and Public Security, in 1990, Gopi said: “I am extremely grateful to Shaikh Ahmad for giving me the opportunity to train at such a prestigious stable.
“It’s a big challenging but I’m looking forward to it. I learned a lot from Dhruba and am extremely grateful.
“We don’t want to change too much but I have my own way of doing things and I hope to introduce them as we go along.
“Like I said, it’s a great opportunity and I hope to make the most of it.”
Besides Sholaan, Friday’s feature race has attracted some interesting campaigners including the Satish Seemar-trained Satwa Story who has not seen a racetrack since 2015.
One of three Seemar-trained runners, he will be ridden by stable jockey, Richard Mullen, who said: “He is a horse we have always held in very high regard but has had his fair share of niggles and small problems.
“It will be his first try at Jebel Ali and over 1000m but we hope it will suit him. Fingers crossed, we can keep him sound and enjoy a good season with the horse.”
The race is sponsored by Shadwell, the worldwide breeding empire of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, whose blue and white colours will be carried by two runners, Sahaafy and Kasb.
Portamento, trained by Ali Rahid Al Rayhi makes his UAE debut having previously raced for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin. The five-year-old will be making his first start since August 2015.
Friday’s race meeting also sees the return of Godolphin handler Saeed Bin Surour to the track with a pair of runners.
Pat Cosgrave rides Bin Surour’s Military Parade in the opening 1950m handicap where he faces 15 rivals including Asatir, winner of the same race last year for veteran UAE handler Erwan Charpy.
Adrie de Vries, the flying Dutchman, partners the second Godolphin contender, Perfect Sense, one of 13 declared for a 1200m handicap.
Bin Surour, whose two runners are both three-year-old maidens, explained: “This year we have a few horses suitable for some of the early season races so have shipped them to Dubai.
“It will give us an opportunity to assess them with regards to their future plans. Hopefully they can progress through the ranks.”
GN Selections
2:15pm Al Redha Insurance Brokers Handicap 1m 1f
1. Fa’iz; 2. Skygazer.
2:45pm Al Shafar Investment Handicap 1m
1. Resonant; 2. Enery,
3:45pm Shadwell Handicap 6f
1. Ennobled Friend; 2. Sholaan
4:15pm Al Tall Engineering Maiden 5f
1. Spiegll 2. General Marshall
4:45pm Commercial Bank of Dubai Handicap 6f
1. Perfect Sense; 2. Always Welcome
5:15pm ESM (E Sports) Handicap 7f:
1. Pictograph; 2. Gannas.
