Here is a breakdown of Sunday’s HH President’s Cup at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, which is one of the biggest meetings of the UAE racing season and features a Dh3 million prize for the Group 1 race for Purebred Arabians. The day’s racing starts at 5pm.
The background
A fascinating re-match is on the cards. Thakif was first past the post 12 months ago but subsequently disqualified after failing a post-race drugs test and the runner-up Abu Alabyad was awarded the prize.
The 2,200-metre race has drawn the maximum 16 runners with five from the President Sheikh Khalifa’s Al Asayl Stables spearheaded by Abu Alabyad and four from Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed’s Al Wathba Stables led by Thakif.
Form guide
Thakif has run three times this season and won the Group 1 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 1 in his last start at Meydan.
Abu Alabyad has run twice, finishing behind Thakif in his first start and then finishing ahead of him in the next, both at the capital’s racetrack.
What the jockeys say
Harry Bentley, who is reunited with Thakif: “I was in Qatar when he won last time. He is a real favourite of mine and looks sure to run a big race.
“He showed last year he can stay 2,200 metres but his stamina is always a nagging doubt, especially if they go very quick.”
Gerald Avranche, the Frenchman who is onboard Abu Alabyad: “These are probably his optimum conditions. As you would expect it is a strong race but he is in good form.”
The thoroughbred race
The President’s Cup for thoroughbreds is on the same card, with a prize pot of Dh380,000, with Forjatt aiming to complete a big-race double.
The eight-year-old son of Ifraaj won the National Day Cup and heads a 10-runner field in the Listed race over 1,400m. Dhruba Selvaratnam, his trainer, is aiming for a fourth President’s Cup trophy.
His previous wins for Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid came in 1994 with Faltaat, in 2007 with Ans Bach and Jaasoos in 2011.
apassela@thenational.ae
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