Dubai: Erwan Charpy, one of the longest-serving trainers in the UAE, has come close to winning the Group 1 Kahayla Classic on numerous occasions — but the one success that he craves has so far unkindly eluded his grasp.
Two years ago he suffered heartbreak yet again when his stable star Versac PY was denied victory by the smallest of margins, finishing a short head behind Qatari raider Al Mamun Monlau.
However, destiny awaits the unaffected Frenchman in the form of his rising star, Manark, and a revitalised Versac PY.
Both horses are owned by his principal patron Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance.
Versac PY, a veteran of three Kahayla Classics, appears to be in the form of his life, judging by the way he dominated his rivals on Super Saturday on March 7 to win the third round of the Al Maktoum Challenge over the same course and distance as the Classic.
The choice of the owner’s first jockey, Paul Hanagan, Versac PY could only finish seventh behind Rabbah De Carrere in this race 12 months ago.
But Charpy believes that he is at his career best and has solid claims in the Purebred Arabian feature.
“Versac PY deserved his win on Super Saturday after countless good efforts in defeat,” said Charpy. “He is proven over course and distance.”
Commenting on Manark’s chances, Charpy added: “If he relaxes in the race I think he is also a big runner and he will wear a hood, in which he has been working nicely, to hopefully help him settle.”
Manark (FR) was a nine-and-a-half-length winner in the Group 2 Bani Yas over 1,400 metres on his sole dirt outing, at Meydan, in February.
The traditional curtain-raiser to Saturday’s card, the Group 1 Kahayla Classic has enjoyed a significant progression in terms of prize money and now offers a whopping $1 million.
Last year’s runner-up Djainka Des Forges will bid to go one place better for Qatar-based trainer Julian Smart, who has twice saddled the winner of the race — Jaffer in 2010 and Nez D’Or in 2002.
Richard Mullen rides the mare, having been denied only close to home 12 months ago by Rabbah De Carrere, who has not been seen this season, and drawn 14 of the 15 runners.
Smart, who also saddles Taraf, the mount of Harry Bentley, said: “Djainka was drawn wide last year when an excellent second in this and then won us a big race in France in October.
“My initial reaction when I saw the draw was disappointment, but on reflection it is not a disaster because we can keep out of the kickback if need be. She has worked well on the surface and has eaten everything we have offered her.
“Taraf is not eating as well as I would like but should handle the dirt, judging by her pedigree. Her work has been fine and she is very useful in her own right.”
Of the others, American challenger Valiant Boy looks a big danger. Unbeaten in his last eight starts dating back to November 2012, he has a formidable record on dirt and looks a serious player.
