Seemar expects Jet to take off

Dubai: Ex-South African star filly Jet Past can end trainer Satish Seemar's thoroughbred jinx by winning today's feature race at Nad Al Sheba, a 1,600-metre conditions event restricted to fillies and mares.

Seemar, a former champion trainer in the UAE, has been kept waiting for his first thoroughbred victory of the season, but all that could change today.

An ultra-consistent performer when trained by Dominic Zaki in her native South Africa, the daughter of Jet Master stepping down in class as she makes her dirt debut.

Seemar has delivered an upbeat report about Jet Past's form despite her disappointing performance in the National Day Cup (Group 1) at Abu Dhabi two three weeks ago.

Although she will be giving weight all around Seemar expects her to go very close.

In good form

On official ratings Jet Past looks the one to beat and Seemar agrees, saying: "It looks an ideal opportunity and she is in good form at home."

The 2,000m handicap, the Tam-Wheel Plate, is the main supporting race of the day and has attracted 11 runners including Doug Watson's evergreen eight-year-old, Fight.

A son of former Arc de Triomphe winner Darshaan, Fight is looking for a third course and distance win of this season.

Among the horses that he has to contend with is stable companion Ballychace, who leads the Winter Racing Challenge Long category with 68 points, and the Erwan Charpy-trained Malahem.

Watson explained: "It has been great to see an eight-year-old (Fight) win twice, while Ballychace is very consistent and deserves a change of luck. Te Voglio Bene pleased us on his first start for the yard so we appear to have a strong hand."

South Africa's Herman Brown provides the night's international flavour, saddling three-year-old Action Impact who receives weight from his six rivals in the 1,600m Mustaqbali Trophy.

A winner in Germany, Brown is looking forward to running him, saying: "He is a nice type and ready for a run. The dirt is obviously a query but he works well enough on it and we will learn a lot about him."

Leading Arabian trainer Gill Duffield saddles four of the seven runners in the opening 2,000m Purebred Arabian handicap, the Al Dana Trophy, including the hat-trick seeking Markoom who will have the services of former Derby winning jockey Martin Dwyer.

Today's race are sponsored by Commercial Bank of Dubai and it's CEO Peter Baltussen commented: "We at Commercial Bank of Dubai are proud of our commitment to participate in sponsoring horse races at Nad Al Sheba.

"This participation comes within the framework of Commercial Bank of Dubai's social responsibility towards sports and youth activities in UAE."

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