Dubai: Kieren Fallon will be hoping to secure Dhruba Selvaratnam a victory in today's Derrinstown Stud-sponsored Jebel Ali Stakes (Listed) aboard Emmrooz, but the former champion jockey may have to surmount the challenge of Haatheq, an impressive win of the prep race two weeks ago.
Haatheq was beaten by Emmrooz when they met earlier in the season, but appears to be coming into top form going by the manner in which he won the prep race on his subsequent outing.
However, it looks like both rivals' quest to win the first of three major thoroughbred races that the Jebel Ali Racecourse hosts each season, is likely to come down to tactics with neither horse having been exposed over the 1,950-metre trip.
Richard Hills, who returns to partner Haatheq for Emirati trainer Ali Rashid Al Raihe, believes the four-year-old colt is a much stronger horse than when he went down by half a length to Emmrooz.
"He's certainly come on and ran well to win a decent trial for this race," said the big-race jockey. "The extra distance will hopefully not be an issue and we should go close."
Long-time plan
Fallon, the former six-time British champion who is filling in for Selvaratnam's sidelined stable jockey William Buick, was hopeful as well. "Dhruba is happy with the horse and the condition should suit as he looks likely to appreciate this trip. He should go well," said the Irish rider.
Selvaratnam, who trains Emmrooz on the track, said the long-time plan had been to target this race.
"I think he's a much better horse on this track than on the all-weather at Meydan," said the Sri Lankan-born trainer. "Mind you he ran a pretty good race when fourth to Derbaas at Meydan last month although he wouldn't gallop.
"He's a really good horse, but not the easiest one to ride."
Notable contenders
Anthony Mauel's Noisy Silence, third in the race last year, Eddie Jock, representing the in-form stables of Satish Seemar, and Erwan Charpy's Singing Poet, are other notable contenders.
Manuel was hopeful and said: "He has been off since January so will need the run but he is as fit as I can get him at home."
Commenting on Eddie Jock's chances, jockey Richard Mullen said: "We were a bit short of room last time and he is better than that. He ran well in this last year and should do so again."
Singing Poet, winner of the race in 2006, will bid to give Charpy a third success in the Jebel Ali Stakes after the UAE-based French trainer won the race last year with Mashaahed and in 2009 with Rampallion.
The Jebel Ali Stakes is sponsored by Derrinstown Stud, the Irish arm of the breeding operation of Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance.
Today's meeting also features five other competitive-looking races.
Selections
- Race 1: 1. Lord Tiger; 2. Myownway.
- Race 2: 1. Otaared; 2. Jet Express.
- Race 3: 1. Emmrooz; 2. Haatheq.
- Race 4: 1. Shemoli; 2. Kala Kanta.
- Race 5: 1. Tauuab; 2. World Ruler.
- Race 6: 1. Captain Rio; 2. Barq.
- Day's best: Lord Tiger.
