Ernst Oertel hoping to build on horse racing win tally before Carnival

The trainer for Sheikh Khalifa's Al Asayl stables is triple-handed at Meydan Racecourse on Thursday night

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 1 2012, Meydan Racecourse Twelfth Carnival Meeting - (left Red silks) #3 AVERROES ridden by Micro Demuro and trained by Ernst Oertel and back Yellow silks) ELECTROLYSER ridden by Ted Duncan and Trained by Clive Cox sit along the rail as they pass the Grandstands for the first time in the 2810m Turf Classic at Meydan Racecourse March 1 2012. Mike Young / The National??Show less

This has already been a successful season for Ernst Oertel and the master of Al Asayl stables is triple-handed at Meydan Racecourse on Thursday night in an attempt to improve his tally further.

It is the final fixture at the Dubai track ahead of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, which starts a week from Thursday.

The South African has already equalled last season's tally of 16 winners, having taken over in the summer of 2011 at the Abu Dhabi stables of Sheikh Khalifa, President of the UAE.

Although he is almost Dh1 million away from last season's prize-money haul Averroes can reduce the deficit somewhat if he wins tonight's AED 90,000 handicap.

The 6 year old will defend his title in the Al Basti Cup, run over 2,800m, and is set to shoulder the same weight as 12 months ago when successful with 60kgs on his back.

Since that success, the son of Galileo, the dual Derby winner, has put in some very eye-catching performances, including when fourth to Opinion Poll in the Dubai Gold Cup on World Cup night.

As a result, Averroes runs off an official handicap mark 13kgs higher in what looks a far weaker race than last season with only Bay Willow looking of a similar class from among his six rivals.

On his comeback run last month, Averroes ran with credit over only 2,000 metres, and Tadhg O'Shea believes that the run will have put his mount spot on for tonight.

"He ran a good race on his comeback over a trip short of his best and these are his ideal conditions, but the weight has to be an issue," the jockey said. "He is conceding a lot of weight to some decent horses, but on the positive side, he worked very well the other day and the yard are bang in form."

Oertel also runs Bartolomeu, who will be ridden by Pat Cosgrave in the preceding handicap, while O'Shea will partner Related in the seven-furlong handicap at 8.15pm.

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