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Friday February 24, 2017, Meydan Racecourse, Dubai: Ahlan Emirati and Pupil are to represent the inform Zabeel Stables at Meydan Racecourse’s popular brunch meeting on Saturday in the featured District One Mansions 1600m turf handicap.
A maximum field of 14 have been declared for the contest and Zabeel trainer, Satish Seemar has his string in fine form at the moment.
Pupil, the mount of Chis Hayes, won his penultimate start, a 1400m handicap on the Meydan turf, before an excellent fourth in HH The President Cup at Abu Dhabi.
One place in front of him on that occasion was stable companion Ahlan Emarati, who will be ridden by Colm O’Donoghue.
There was only a neck between the Seemar duo on that occasion and, on identical weight terms here, there should be little between them again.
“They both ran very well at Abu Dhabi are working well,” said assistant trainer, Bhupat Seemar. “Hopefully both have a good chance in what looks a very competitive race.
“It is a new trip for Ahlan Emirati but we hope he will stay, whereas Pupil we know stays 1600m but probably not much further.”
South African trainer, Mike de Kock fresh from a successful Dubai World Cup carnival foray on Thursday evening with the victory of Suyoof, saddles two with Fernando Jara aboard Dream Dubai and Muwaary, the mount of British Champion Apprentice, Josephine Gordon, who is riding in the UAE for the first time on Saturday.
Jara’s mount will be having his third run of the campaign after two sprint starts and is another trying 1600m for the first time but Muwaary has shown little in his three UAE outings.
“Dream Dubai has run well enough in his two sprints and shown us he needs at least 1400m and we think 1600m will suit him.
“There is more to come from him at some stage I am sure, whereas Muwaary has just not fired yet but will hopefully bounce back at some stage.”
Doug Watson has three in the race with Sam Hitchcott aboard Redbrook who will be having just his second start of the season and will appreciate the return to turf having been tailed off on dirt in January.
His stable companions, Mutasayyid and Ostaad, look to hold stronger credentials with stable jockey, Pat Dobbs, aboard the former.
He was not beaten far in an 1800m handicap last time and was a dual 1600m winner in England when trained by Richard Hannon.
Meanwhile, Ostaad bounced back to winning ways two weeks ago, landing an 1800m Meydan turf handicap so at least arrives in winning form.
“All three are in good form at home,” said Watson. “Hopefully returning to 1600m will suit Mutasayyid, while we have been waiting to get Redbrook on turf all year.
“It was nice to see Ostaad win again last time and, hopefully, one of our three can win but it looks a strong race.”
Ostaad, Mutasayyid, Muwaary, and the Erwan Charpy-trained Saajid, are all owned by HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum whose retained jockey, Dane O’Neill, elects to partner Ijmaaly for Ali Rashid Al Rayhi.
Winner of two of his three starts in England for Godolphin, he is having just his third local start and the jockey booking does look significant after as O’Neill was sixth on him last time so must have seen sufficient to stay loyal.
With the Ahmad bin Harmash team in good form, Zurbriggen, despite virtually a year off, should not be discounted under apprentice Nicolas Barzalona, seeking his first UAE victory.
Press release from: Dubai Racing Club
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