Former South African-trained Magic Master is an interesting contender as he makes his first start for new trainer Satish Seemar in the Shadwell-sponsored featured Conditions race at the Jebel Ali Racecourse today.
The five-year-old gelding was acquired by champion owner Shaikh Rashid Bin Mohammad Al Maktoum after a brief four-race campaign in the UAE last season, which culminated in a creditable second-place finish to Conflict in the Listed Jebel Ali Sprint over 1000 metres in March.
That looked a fine effort in light of the winner's credentials at the course which included a victory in the Jebel Ali Mile.
Magic Master takes on eight rivals, among them Doug Watson's Sleeping Weapon, a two-time winner at Jebel Ali last season, and the speedy Conceal who represents owner-trainer Rashid Bouresly.
Sleeping Weapon might have disappointed in his final start of the season, the Jebel Ali Mile, where he beat just three of 16 runners, but prior to that the five-year-old son of Gulch strung together a series of outstanding efforts including back-to-back wins at this course in February.
Conceal could also be a threat to Magic Master having finished only a length and a half behind him in the Jebel Ali Sprint.
Bouresly also saddles Pakhoes who makes his UAE debut after being bought out of Dermot Weld's stables.
The four-year-old ran some highly creditable races in the UK which included a pair of second place finishes in Group 3 contests at Ascot and The Curragh behind Statue of Liberty and Hold That Tiger, respectively.
Prim, trained by Aditiyan Selvaratnam, finished third to Curule at Jebel Ali over 1400 metres two weeks ago and should benefit from the drop in distance, while Dhruba Selvaratnam has secured the services of talented Hong Kong jockey Stanley Chin for his veteran campaigner Persuasivo Fitz.
Watson's Djelmane and the Erwan Charpy-trained Mleeh are likely to fight it out in the opening race of the meet, a Purebred Arabian Handicap over 1600 metres.
Elsewhere recent winner Albadou should win the 1800 metre Thoroughbred handicap while the Rudkin-trained Alton, a runner-up at Nad Al Sheba a week ago, can land the 1000 metre handicap.
