Al Ain launch the first of their 10 race meetings on Thursday with a mixed card comprising of six prizes for the Purebred Arabians and one for the thoroughbreds.
On Friday, the action moves to the Jebel Ali for their third meeting that includes six races for the thoroughbreds and a solitary prize for the Arabians.
The highlight here is the fourth race, a conditions race over the 1,400-metre distance that has drawn some exciting newcomers, including Inverleigh.
Trained by Salem bin Ghadayer for Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Excelebration colt was a purchase from the Tattersall sales in July.
At 104, Inverleigh is the highest rated of the 10 runners and arrives from Ireland with a decent record for trainer Ger Lyons.
Inverleigh won a Listed prize at Navan and prior to that placed twice a couple of times at the same level. He was runner-up in a Group 3 race at Leopardstown in his last start in July.
Satish Seemar pair Gaudi and Recordman are two other newcomers to watch.
Gaudi, a winner of a Novice at Lingfield’s all-weather track, is the choice of Zabeel Stable jockey Richard Mullen, and Antonio Fresu is atop the Dubawi gelding.
Of those tried and tested at the track are Golden Jaguar, Habah and Tadbir.
Golden Jaguar made a promising start to his career when trouncing his rivals by more than three lengths in a 1,000m sprint at Jebel Ali last season.
That success was all the more impressive as he missed the break and won with plenty to spare.
Ahmad bin Harmash’s Animal Kingdom colt then went on to claim the Meydan Classic Trial over 1,400m on Turf and was caught close home in the Listed Meydan Classic by Sporting Chance over the extended 1,600m in his next two starts.
Golden Jaguar under Connor Beasley returns from a break and the connections will be hoping for him to bounce back over the shorter trip at Jebel Ali and challenge for more prizes in the new season.
Doug Watson’s Habah rounded off the last season by winning a Conditions race over the 1,600m trip and Erwan Charpy’s Tadbir was twice runner up over the course and distance.
