The 2,200-metre Group 1 Emirates Championship for Purebred Arabians and the course’s biggest thoroughbred race of the season, the Group 3 Abu Dhabi Championship over the same course and distance, highlight the final meeting of the season in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
There are 10 declared for the Group 1 Purebred Arabian race with Salem Al Ketbi, fresh from a treble at Al Ain on Friday, responsible for three of them.
Stable jockey Tadhg O’Shea, who rode all three of the trainer’s Al Ain winners, will be on Shayel Aldhabi, one of five mares in the field who receive weight from their male rivals.
“She had a great first season in the UAE the campaign before last,” O’Shea said. “She won four times before being stepped up in class and was not disgraced.
“She ran well in plenty of these Group 1 contests last year without enjoying much luck and produced her best run this season last time, over this 2,200m in HH The President’s Cup and was staying on nicely. She certainly proved she stays this trip and she should run well in what looks an open renewal.”
Al Ketbi also saddles Nymphea Du Paon, the mount of Shane Karlsson, and Skoop, who will be ridden by Adrie De Vries. All three are owned by President Sheikh Khalifa.
The thoroughbred equivalent, the Group 3 Abu Dhabi Championship, has attracted a field of 13 with Sanshaawes, trained by South African Mike De Kock, looking the one to beat in a race his trainer won with Mr Brock in 2009.
A dual Dubai World Cup Carnival winner in 2014 who was seventh in the Dubai World Cup last season, he has failed to win this year. His wide draw may not be ideal, but his jockey, Gerald Avranche, rides Abu Dhabi as well as anybody and his mount may just have a touch more class than his 12 rivals.
“As things stand he is not likely to earn an invitation for Dubai World Cup night, so hopefully he can pick up this decent prize,” De Kock said.
There was success for Sheikh Khalifa in Sharjah last night as Abhaar won the showpiece Ruler Of Sharjah Cup.
The four year old, ridden by O’Shea and trained by Al Ketbi, won easily in making it five wins from five starts.
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