Top-weight Jet Express 'should go well'
Preview: UAE, Friday
Jebel Ali dirt
The meeting is highlighted by a 1m conditions race, for which a select field of six have been declared.
The weights are headed byJet Express, winner of last season's Listed Jebel Ali Mile over the same course and distance. Trained by Ali Rashid Al Raihe, he was well beaten at Meydan last week but jockey Royston Ffrench expects an improved show.
He said: "We know these are his optimum conditions and he will have improved from that run last week. He does have to concede weight but should go well."
The other penalised runner in the field is Emmrooz, trained on the course by Dhruba Selvaratnam. William Buick will be in the saddle on the course and distance winner. Selvaratnam said: "He pleased us on his return at Meydan and we know he acts well here.It is a competitive little race but he is working well."
Tiz Now Tiz Then is entitled to need the run having been off the track since World Cup night 2009, while Liberation represents the Ismail Mohammed/Ted Durcan combination who won a similar sprint here last time with Dohasa.
However, it is Al Raihe's second runner, Haatheq, who looks the most interesting runner. Only three, he won a course and distance handicap on his local debut a fortnight ago.
It was a most impressive effort and jockey Richard Hills sounds hopeful, saying "I won on him in the UK and he is a nice horse hopefully open to improvement. Tadgh [O'Shea] won on him last time as I was not here and he really pleased everybody."
Another course winner a fortnight ago was Atlantic Brave, who will again be ridden by Wayne Smith for owner/trainer Musabah Al Muhairi. That win was impressive and also over the same 7f course and distance. The handicapper has hoisted him accordingly in the ratings but he should go close on what will only be his sixth start.
Smith said: "We like the horse a lot and he really pleased us last time as we thought he would need the run. He has to give weight away but is in good form."
Rochefort has to be a big danger for Satish Seemar and Richard Mullen as he is seeking a hat-trick of course and distance victories.
Mullen said: "This is probably a bit tougher than the races he has won this season but conditions are ideal obviously and he seems in good heart."
Selvaratnam and Buick combine with Dahteer, who is another to consider along with Al Raihe's Vito Corleone. The champion trainer saddles Al Wasl in the 5f handicap and he looks an interesting new recruit to the yard. Seemar's Nanni The Teaser won a course maiden last time and looks certain to give a good account under Mullen.
The only Purebred Arabian race is the opening 6f maiden. It looks wide open with little between AF Tharb, JAP Naim and Farah Ghantoot judged on course form of a fortnight ago.
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