Dubai: Ali Rashid Al Raihe, who won a landmark first UAE trainer's championship earlier this year, is eyeing his first major international success when he saddles Al Shemali in today's Singapore Airlines International Cup (Group 1) at Kranji racecourse in Singapore.
Al Shemali sprang a surprise when he won the $5million Dubai Duty Free (Gr 1) at Meydan in March, but has his work cut out for him when he takes on a quality field of 12 runners from seven countries in the mile a quarter race.
Among his rivals are Gloria de Campeao and Lizard's Desire, who finished first and second in the $6million Dubai World Cup (Gr 1) at Meydan in March, and Presvis, who was a runner-up at Kranji 12 months ago.
Japan's Shadow Gate and and New Zealand Raider Waikato add spice to what looks like a mouth-watering renewal of Singapore's most famous races which is worth a lucrative $2million (Dh7.3 million).
Al Raihe, who has established himself as a leading trainer in the UAE, is also bidding to become only the second Emirati trainer to win the race after Godolphin's Saeed Bin Surour scored in 2002 with Grandera. Stable jockey Royston Ffrench will fly out from the UK to resume his partnership with Al Shemali, who provided him with the biggest win of his career in the Duty Free.
Assistant trainer Ghulam Jelani Saiddiqui, reports that the horse is fit and ready to run.
"We've done our part and he's looking fit and ready," he said on the Singapore Turf Club website. "The only concern is he has not raced since the Duty Free as he did have a couple of runs before he won in Dubai. But he's a very genuine horse, and should run a big race."
Al Shemali is owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai.
Singapore Airlines International Cup (Group 1)
(3yo plus) 1m 2f (Turf):
9/4 Presvis, 3/1 Gloria De Campeao (BRZ), 5/1 Lizard's Desire (SAF), 13/2 Al Shemali, 12/1 Shadow Gate (JPN), 14/1 Waikato (NZ), 14/1 Goldschatz (NZ), 16/1 El Dorado (JPN), 20/1 Yamanin Kingly (JPN), 20/1 Drovetti (AUS), 25/1 Lahaleeb (IRE), 50/1 Jolie's Shinju (JPN).
