Packed field for today's Sharjah race meet

Dubai: A packed six-race programme sponsored by Al Basti Equiworld welcomes racing back to the Sharjah Equestrian Club today.

All of the afternoon's races will be contested by a maximum field of 16 runners, including two competitive thoroughbred handicaps worth Dh75,000 each.

The first of these is the 1,000-metre BlueFrog Trophy which looks an open race although the Doug Watson-trained First Knight attracts most on the strength of his win at Jebel Ali last week over the same trip.

Nanni The Teaser, who was runner-up on that occasion, Dubai Set, Dhabyani Dream and Dan Chillingworth are others of note.

Mosabah Al Muhairi saddles Home Office. Stable jockey Wayne Smith commented: "His best run locally was over 1,000 metres, so hopefully returning to the trip will help him. It looks a wide open race but he should have a chance."

Good form

The Forcan Cup over 2,000 metres also looks a competitive race with several horses holding a chance.

Al Muhairi and Smith combine with Bin Shamardal who bids for a third win at Sharjah over the distance.

Smith said: "The handicapper has obviously put him up in the weights which makes life harder, but he remains in great form and should run well in a tough race."

The pick of the Purebred Arabian action is the concluding 1,700-metre Uptite Poultice Trophy where Ffrench rides an interesting runner in the form of Ajdal, who represents the Royal Cavalry of Oman.

He shares top-weight with Barolo and Raheq.