Areem and Derbaas seek back-to-back National Day Cups

Dubai: Emirati jockey Ahmad Ajtebi, who scored a double at Maritius last weekend, is looking to maintain his winning momentum when he partners defending champion Areem in the Group 1 National Day Cup for Purebred Arabians at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club on Sunday.

Ajtebi was on board when Areem made all the running to win the Dh250,000 contest last season is hoping that the Majed Al Jahouri-trained five-year-old can repeat the feat on his seasonal bow.

“Last year he did have the benefit of a recent run, which he does not this time,” said the rider. “However, he won on his seasonal debut last year and goes well fresh. We would have liked a lower draw probably but we expect a big run.”

Ajtebi, who also won the opening round of the Al Maktoum Challenge last year with Areem, was in imperious form during the International Jockey’s weekend at the island resort, where he finished third overall after posting wins on each day’s racing.

Areem faces 13 rivals including Saifaldin Deeb’s 2011 winner Sahib Du Clos, who comes into the race boasting strong form following his course and distance win four weeks ago.

Wayne Smith, who takes the ride, said: “The trainer and his team were very bullish before the race and the horse proved them right. He was a bit quiet last season but felt back to his best last time and we are very hopeful.”

Ernst Oertel appears to have a strong hand with three hopefuls headed by Fryvolous, Shayel Aldhabi and TM Junior Johnson.

Sunday’s card also features the thoroughbred version of the National Day Cup with Al Rashid Al Raihe’s Derbaas also aiming to reprise his winning performance from last year.

The mount of Dane O’Neill, Derbaas faces 11 rivals in the 1,600m contest, with 2009-2010 winner Jaasoos looking the pick of the pack.

“He battled and was gutsy last time when his class pulled him through,” said O’Neill. “With that run under his belt and at level weights this time, hopefully he is the one they all have to beat.

“The draw in 12 is far from ideal but he is the class act in the field so hopefully he can overcome that.”

Jaasoos, who missed out a hat-trick of National Day Cup wins when he finished second last year, is joined by stablemate Forjatt, who is also trained by Dhruba Selvaratnam.

Given the form Satish Seemar’s horses appear to be in 2010, HH The President’s Cup scorer McCartney will bear watching.