Focus on Seattle Fitz and Channel Four

Two horses that figured on opposite sides of the buying scale go head to head in the Dh 500,000 Pearls of Dubai International Sales Graduate Stakes, the highlight of today's Philip Morris-sponsored race meet at Nad Al Sheba.

Seattle Fitz, who at Dhs 500,000 was the equal top priced lot at the Pearls of Pearls of Dubai International Sales last October and Channel Four, a bargain purchase at Dh 80,000 head a 16-horse field in the third running of the event.

Seattle Fitz is owned by leading American syndication group West Point Thoroughbreds while Channel Four takes its name from a syndicate initiated by one of the Emirates' leading radio stations.

Seattle Fitz created a huge impression on his debut when scoring a runaway win over the English horse Countykat at Nad Al Sheba but then disappointed in the Al Nakhlee when he raced too keenly when sixth behind Victory Moon.

Subsequent to that he raced on the speed when defeating Channel Four in the UAE 2000 Guineas Prep and on his only run since then finished fifth of the nine runners behind Victory Moon in the Group III UAE 2000 Guineas.

Seattle Fitz has drawn in barrier one and is expected to go forward while Channel Four, drawn in eight, is also expected to go forward.

Channel Four hasn't run since that defeat by Seattle Fitz on January 16 and he meets Seattle Fitz on exactly the same weight terms in this.

Prado's Wish, trained by Erwan Charpy, was beaten on his first two starts however he has emerged as a leading candidate for this following wins at his last two starts, in a Maiden at Abu Dhabi before his defeat of Dubai Guest and Navideno in the Pearls of Dubai Prelude at Nad Al Sheba on February 6.

Prado's Wish may well be the horse that will finish on and will be suited by a solid tempo, something which he is sure to get in this. A win by either horse will enhance the championship aspirations of their respective trainers, defending title holder Erwan Charpy currently in front.

However a win by Seattle Fitz will bring his trainer Kiaran McLaughlin much closer as would Channel Four for Satish Seemar.

Fueguino won this race last year for trainer Allan Smith, with Satish Seemar sending out Just Call Me to win the inaugural race in 2001.

Seemar appears likely to enjoy at least one success at the meeting with his brilliant Purebred Arabian sprinter Big Easy returning to his favoured dirt surface in the Conditions event.

Big Easy is unbeaten on dirt in the Emirates and while he faces a capacity field there is a deal of stable confidence surrounding him for Thursday evening.