Abu Dhabi: Emirati trainer Majid Al Jahouri has three strong runners in the UAE Arabian Derby, a Prestige race for Purebred Arabians and the feature of tonight’s race meeting at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club.
The former endurance rider from Al Wathba Stables has Naseem, Areem and Rakha running in the colours of owner Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, and one from the trio look likely to win the Dh150,000 contest over 11 furlongs.
Naseem won the Arabian Triple Crown (Round 1) under Wayne Smith by a convincing ten-length margin over stablemate Rakha and the two will be joined by another Mahabb colt Areem which will be making his UAE debut.
Smith will be on Naseem while the Mahabb filly Rakha will be ridden by Royston Ffrench while Areem makes his UAE debut with a high rating of 115 under Harry Bentley.
After winning his opening race in May Last year in France, Areem has contested two Group 1 races though most of the Pick Six followers are likely to root for Naseem.
Ernst Oertel’s Daffagh Al Asayl, Eric Lemartinel’s Simbar Du Loup could pose some danger to the Al Jahouri trio in the 11-horse race.
In the Emirates Fillies Classic, another Prestige race with a prize fund of Dh100,000, Oertel’s is triple handed with Manisha making a quick return after her winning debut last week.
Manisha, a four-year-old filly by Darike the former European Champion, along with Jayashri and Maharani are the three Oertel runners from the Al Asayl Stables.
Consistent
Mirco Demuro scored a smart win on Manisha over seven furlongs while tonight’s trip is over eight and the Oertel runner’s biggest challenge is likely to come from AF Al Hemal and Um Dormane while Sawbah and Shajarat Eddor Al Reef have run consistently well.
Five other races including the final one for thoroughbreds complete the seven-race card with the first race going to post at 4.30pm.