Dubai: Jebel Ali Stables handler Gopi Selvaratnam rolls out an exciting three-year-old colt, Final Reckoning, at Jebel Ali Racecourse in Friday as he chases a maiden victory at his home track.
Formerly trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin, the lightly-raced son of Dark Angel has not raced since August 2016, but Selvaratnam is confident he will give a good account for himself in his comeback.
“He’s a nice new addition to the stable,” said Selvaratam during a press conference to announce the sponsors for Friday’s six race meeting.
“He has been training well and we are pleased with him. Obviously there are question marks, considering his long layoff, but he has a good pedigree and looks fit and ready to run.”
Final Reckoning had five starts in the UK posting wins at Yarmouth and Goodwood during the summer of 2016. On his last outing for Godolphin in a Listed contest at York August, he finished fifth.
Currently rated 92, Selvaratnam is hoping that he can be a Dubai World Cup Carnival prospect should he acquit himself well in Friday’s 1400-metre feature race, sponsored by Shadwell Farm.
He faces 12 rivals including the Ali Rashid Al Rayhi-trained Mushaakis, a former winner at Jebel Ali who is raced by Shadwell-owner Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.
Shaikh Hamdan generously sponsors three other races on the card under the banner of Derrinstown Stud and Shadwell, his global racing and breeding enterprise for Thoroughbred and Arabian horses.
Zayed University and American University of Sharjah, whose patron is Shaikh Hamdan, lend their name to the other two races on the card.
“Shaikh Hamdan has for long been a big supporter of racing at Jebel Ali and continues to support the sport at Jebel Ali Racecourse,” said Masoud Saleh, representing Shadwell.
Bryan Gilroy, Advisor to the Provost at Zayed University represented Zayed University at the press conference presentation while the AUS was represented by Charles A Diab.
Dubai International Arabian Championship (DIAC) will continue to sponsor the Best Turned Out Horse competition, with a prize of Dh1,000 awaiting the winning groom.
Races
Race 1. Shadwell
Race 2. Zayed University
Race 3. Shadwell Farm
Race 4. Derrinstown Stud
Race 5. American University of Sharjah
Race 6. Shadwell
